Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

[Joseph Robidoux III]

This Republican primary is an interesting one for me.

Todd Tiahrt was first elected to Congress from the Kansas 4th district in 1994 and continued to serve until Jan 3, 2011. In 2010 Tiahrt lost the Republican US Senate primary to then 1st district Congressman Jerry Moran. During Tiahrt's 16 years in Congress, Tiahrt received high conservative ratings plus funds from conservative donors, including the Koch brothers.

In 2010 Republican Mike Pompeo won election as the new 4th district Congressman. Tiahrt wants his old House seat back and is running against Pompeo. Conservative PACs, for the most, are backing Pompeo.

[Joseph Robidoux III]

Kansas Primary Election Results:
Republican -- 55 of 609 Precincts Reporting
Mike Pompeo.....8,530....63%
Todd Tiahrt.......4,998....37%


http://www.sos.ks.gov/ent/kssos_ent.html

[Joseph Robidoux III]

Kansas Primary Election Results:

Republican -- 249 of 609 Precincts Reporting
Mike Pompeo.....21,419....62%
Todd Tiahrt.......12,940....38%

http://www.sos.ks.gov/ent/kssos_ent.html
Not much change from the earlier post.

[Joseph Robidoux III]

Kansas Primary Election Results:
Republican -- 609 of 609 Precincts Reporting
Mike Pompeo.....42,754....63%
Todd Tiahrt.......25,432....37%
Congressman Pompeo won all 17 counties in the 4th congressional district.
http://www.sos.ks.gov/ent/maps_graphs.html#USHS4R

[Foggy]

I revives and renames and resuscitates this old thread in dishonor of our new Seggretary of Snakes.

[Addie]

You should moves it at the same time.

[Foggy]

Done, and thanks. Joe Ruby used to keep me straight. I miss him tremendously. Glad you stepped up.

[Addie]

OMFG, I curse Joe Ruby's disappearance a few times a week, every week.

Done, and thanks. Joe Ruby used to keep me straight. I miss him tremendously. Glad you stepped up.

[bob]

I revives and renames and resuscitates this old thread in dishonor of our new Seggretary of Snakes.

Nominee.

(I don't doubt his confirmation, which is scheduled tentatively for April.)

[RTH10260]

The guy doesn't seem to have much international experience. I can only hope for the US that his stint in the Senate gave him sufficient insight that he can reorganize and fix his department. Though the diplomatic experience that was lost cannot be rebuilt but in decades.

Wiki-Bio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo

[Turtle]

He shouldn't have any problems getting confirmed in the Senate, assuming he is UAE and Kremlin-approved.

[bob]

He shouldn't have any problems getting confirmed in the Senate, assuming he is UAE and Kremlin-approved.

The last time around, most democrats voted to confirm Pompeo.

Paul was the only republican who voted not to confirm.

[Addie]

Vanity Fair: “A ‘W.T.F.’ Moment”: Shock and Relief at State as Trump Expunges Tillerson

Inside Foggy Bottom, staffers are unsurprised by Tillerson’s ouster but freaked about the dawn of the Pompeo era. As one staffer characterized it to me, Pompeo “would be the secretary of war, not state.”

[AndyinPA]

Pompeo was in the House, but was not a Senator. He pretty much has zip experience for this job. But republicans don't really care about that any more.

[Notorial Dissent]

Pompeo was in the House, but was not a Senator. He pretty much has zip experience for this job. But republicans don't really care about that any more.

Then he should fit right in with rest of the cabinet, and their boss.

[RVInit]

He shouldn't have any problems getting confirmed in the Senate, assuming he is UAE and Kremlin-approved.

Those are exactly the qualifications Trump is looking for. In their entirety.

[AndyinPA]

The worst of the worst will always fit in.

[Addie]

Associated Press

Nominee to lead State Dept.: Soft policy on Russia ‘over’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Pompeo, the hard-charging CIA director picked to be the next secretary of state, will tell the Senate on Thursday that years of soft U.S. policy toward Russia are “now over.” Drawing a sharp contrast with predecessor Rex Tillerson, Pompeo will vow to promote democracy and human rights while ending “demoralizing” vacancies at the State Department.

According to his prepared remarks, Pompeo will chastise Russia for acting “aggressively” and emphasize that the Trump administration considers Russia “a danger to our country.” But he will also say that diplomatic efforts with Moscow, while challenging, “must continue.” The Associated Press obtained excerpts of his remarks from a senior Trump administration official.

Pompeo will also stress America’s “duty to lead,” despite Trump’s vows to put “America first.”

“If we do not lead the calls for democracy, prosperity and human rights around the world, who will?” Pompeo plans to say. “No other nation is equipped with the same blend of power and principle.”

Pompeo’s remarks Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be the first chance for lawmakers and the public to hear directly from the former Kansas congressman about his approach to diplomacy and the role of the State Department, should he be confirmed to lead it. Pompeo’s views on global issues are well known — he was questioned extensively by senators for his confirmation to run the CIA — but Democratic senators have raised questions about his fitness to be top diplomat, given his hawkish views and past comments about minorities.

[Skip Intro]

Just another thing the GOP won't give a damn about.

[RTH10260]

Associated Press

Nominee to lead State Dept.: Soft policy on Russia ‘over’

How come these hard posturing by Pompeo when dotus runs soft on Putin?

[SLQ]

Associated Press

Nominee to lead State Dept.: Soft policy on Russia ‘over’

How come these hard posturing by Pompeo when dotus runs soft on Putin?

Yeah, I don't get that, either. Except that it fits in with Trump's desire to look like a strong man. How he balances that with his love affair with Putin, I don't know.

[Chilidog]

Just another thing the GOP won't give a damn about.

But, but, but HILLARY!!!!

[Volkonski]

JohnAmato
@JohnAmato

And he’s continuing to refuse to answer questions about almost everything.
https://
twitter.com/emptywheel/sta
tus/984446348677341184
…
10:15 AM - Apr 12, 2018

emptywheel
@emptywheel

Pompeo's very first question give privilege to Trump w/o Trump invoking it.

In case you had any concerns abt him covering up for Trump.
10:01 AM - Apr 12, 2018

[RVInit]

I think he's a creep when I read interviews or statements he makes. Seeing him "answer" questions in person is even more disturbing.

[Addie]

Cross-posting

Axios

Mike Pompeo confirms interview by Mueller investigation

During his Secretary of State confirmation hearing Thursday morning, CIA Director Pompeo told senators that he has been interviewed by Special Counsel Bob Mueller, although he would not reveal the contents of those conversations. NBC News first reported on the interview back in January.

The backdrop: Pompeo reportedly took part in a White House a meeting last March during which President Trump asked whether he could intervene in the FBI's Russia investigation, per The Washington Post. During his hearing, Pompeo denied the suggestion that Trump asked him to do anything "improper" regarding the investigation.