Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings **live commentary thread**

[Lambsbread]

I hope they allow the full regional control of education so that these Trumpist states can reap what they sow.

Do you really think that people who voted for Donald Trump give a damn about the state of education in this country?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Not a good nominee but not the end of the world.  We'll survive and so will the kids

[Beet]

School choice is one of the few areas where I'm moderate. I went to one of the supposedly best public high schools and it wasn't all that good. The curriculum was disjointed, there was no structured social life, there was no effort to foster student-teacher relationships, the material wasn't sufficiently challenging, afterschool programs weren't adequately advertised, and-- well, in general it left a lot lacking, especially for a 'top' school. I'd like to see what private industry could do in the sector. Education is so important because it has a big impact on people's lives. It's funny how the areas I'm most moderate about, other liberals tend to be most passionate about, and vice versa.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

School choice is one of the few areas where I'm moderate. I went to one of the supposedly best public high schools and it wasn't all that good. The curriculum was disjointed, there was no structured social life, there was no effort to foster student-teacher relationships, the material wasn't sufficiently challenging, afterschool programs weren't adequately advertised, and-- well, in general it left a lot lacking, especially for a 'top' school. I'd like to see what private industry could do in the sector. Education is so important because it has a big impact on people's lives. It's funny how the areas I'm most moderate about, other liberals tend to be most passionate about, and vice versa.

I'm relatively moderate about this for a maroon avatar too--my position is that excellent, well-funded public education has to be the ideal but I understand why parents might want school choice in some actually-existing situations--but that doesn't make DeVos specifically any less horrible.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

School choice is one of the few areas where I'm moderate. I went to one of the supposedly best public high schools and it wasn't all that good. The curriculum was disjointed, there was no structured social life, there was no effort to foster student-teacher relationships, the material wasn't sufficiently challenging, afterschool programs weren't adequately advertised, and-- well, in general it left a lot lacking, especially for a 'top' school. I'd like to see what private industry could do in the sector. Education is so important because it has a big impact on people's lives. It's funny how the areas I'm most moderate about, other liberals tend to be most passionate about, and vice versa.

For me at least, opposing DeVos isn't so much about her support for vouchers, it's more about the fact that she never attended or taught at a public school , nor did her children, yet wants to be in a job focused mostly on the public school system. She also has no comprehension of Proficiency vs. Growth or basic federal disability laws. Basically, she has no experience relevant to the job, and is therefore objectively not qualified to do it. It's not a partisan thing at all. It's about keeping out someone who simply isn't ready for the job.

[Confused Democrat]

Looks like Spicer is about to get the boot:

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I'm not surprised.

I'm pretty sure Kellyanne Conjob was his first choice, but Priebus and Ryan convinced him otherwise.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Looks like Spicer is about to get the boot:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I'm not surprised.

I'm pretty sure Kellyanne Conjob was his first choice, but Priebus and Ryan convinced him otherwise.

I think Piers Morgan might take over. Kellyanne is finished too

This says that they are looking for a new Communications Director, not a new Press Secretary.

[Confused Democrat]

Looks like Spicer is about to get the boot:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I'm not surprised.

I'm pretty sure Kellyanne Conjob was his first choice, but Priebus and Ryan convinced him otherwise.

I think Piers Morgan might take over. Kellyanne is finished too

This says that they are looking for a new Communications Director, not a new Press Secretary.

Sean Spicer is the acting Communications Director and Press Secretary.

[Axel Foley]

I don't understand a thing, maybe it's just because I'am a fool...Collins and Murkoswski are both in the Committee competent about Education...this Committee is 12-11 Republican...so, not even both, but just the vote of one of them would have blocked DeVos in the preliminary fase, without the need of a full floor Senate vote...if they weren't willing to vote for her, why did they vote for advancing her nomination in Committee?

[Illiniwek]

I don't understand a thing, maybe it's just because I'am a fool...Collins and Murkoswski are both in the Committee competent about Education...this Committee is 12-11 Republican...so, not even both, but just the vote of one of them would have blocked DeVos in the preliminary fase, without the need of a full floor Senate vote...if they weren't willing to vote for her, why did they vote for advancing her nomination in Committee?

It looks pretty clear now that McConnell let these two vote no to placate their constituents who were going hard at them on DeVos. But he wasn't going to let them actually block the process. So just like the 50 other R senators had no choice but to vote "Yay", Collins and Murkoswki had no choice but to vote "Yay" on the Committee. We, critics of DeVos, should really not hold them up as Moderate Heroes...

[Xing]

I don't understand a thing, maybe it's just because I'am a fool...Collins and Murkoswski are both in the Committee competent about Education...this Committee is 12-11 Republican...so, not even both, but just the vote of one of them would have blocked DeVos in the preliminary fase, without the need of a full floor Senate vote...if they weren't willing to vote for her, why did they vote for advancing her nomination in Committee?

It looks pretty clear now that McConnell let these two vote no to placate their constituents who were going hard at them on DeVos. But he wasn't going to let them actually block the process. So just like the 50 other R senators had no choice but to vote "Yay", Collins and Murkoswki had no choice but to vote "Yay" on the Committee. We, critics of DeVos, should really not hold them up as Moderate Heroes...

Those who pay close attention know how much of a "moderate" Collins really is. Ordinary voters, though, just hear about how she doesn't always vote with the Republicans, so she gets to keep up her image as a moderate.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Looks like Spicer is about to get the boot:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I'm not surprised.

I'm pretty sure Kellyanne Conjob was his first choice, but Priebus and Ryan convinced him otherwise.

I think Piers Morgan might take over. Kellyanne is finished too

This says that they are looking for a new Communications Director, not a new Press Secretary.

The CNN report saying Trump was unhappy with Spicer said the president blames Priebus for pushing for Spicer for the job.

"Priebus vouched for Spicer and against Trump's instincts," a source told CNN.

The president "regrets it every day and blames Priebus," the source added.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/318385-report-trump-regrets-hiring-spicer-blames-priebus

When was the last time Pussygrabber blamed himself for ANYTHING?

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

I don't understand a thing, maybe it's just because I'am a fool...Collins and Murkoswski are both in the Committee competent about Education...this Committee is 12-11 Republican...so, not even both, but just the vote of one of them would have blocked DeVos in the preliminary fase, without the need of a full floor Senate vote...if they weren't willing to vote for her, why did they vote for advancing her nomination in Committee?

It looks pretty clear now that McConnell let these two vote no to placate their constituents who were going hard at them on DeVos. But he wasn't going to let them actually block the process. So just like the 50 other R senators had no choice but to vote "Yay", Collins and Murkoswki had no choice but to vote "Yay" on the Committee. We, critics of DeVos, should really not hold them up as Moderate Heroes...

Those who pay close attention know how much of a "moderate" Collins really is. Ordinary voters, though, just hear about how she doesn't always vote with the Republicans, so she gets to keep up her image as a moderate.

The people of Maine should decide whether she's moderate enough for them, not Atlas Forum. In 2008, a huge Dem wave, she beat back a serious challenge by 20 points. It's pretty clear that the people of Maine feel she is moderate enough for them, and it is their judgment that counts. Regarding DeVos, Collins was clear about her views: She opposed the nomination, but did not feel the matter was serious enough to prevent the full Senate from having their say on it.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

In other news, resident socialist Elizabeth Warren has been ordered to remain silent because she read a letter from Coretta Scott King that insulted Sen. Sessions.

[The Other Castro]

In other news, resident socialist Elizabeth Warren has been ordered to remain silent because she read a letter from Coretta Scott King that insulted Sen. Sessions.

She's not a socialist and you've learned nothing.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

In other news, resident socialist Elizabeth Warren has been ordered to remain silent because she read a letter from Coretta Scott King that insulted Sen. Sessions.

She's not a socialist and you've learned nothing.

I didn't watch the violation and so cannot fairly say she is innocent. And she is a socialist.

[Gass3268]

In other news, resident socialist Elizabeth Warren has been ordered to remain silent because she read a letter from Coretta Scott King that insulted Sen. Sessions.

She's not a socialist and you've learned nothing.

I didn't watch the violation and so cannot fairly say she is innocent. And she is a socialist.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

DWS forced Warren to not actually endorse Sanders, but everyone knows Warren would have endorsed Sanders had she been allowed to, which makes her a socialist, like it or not.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

Sanders calls himself a Socialist. Why would he call himself a Socialist if he wasn't an actual socialist? It's not as if being a socialist is "cool" in this country. Even extreme liberals like Nancy Pelosi are capitalists.

[Lambsbread]

DWS forced Warren to not actually endorse Sanders, but everyone knows Warren would have endorsed Sanders had she been allowed to, which makes her a socialist, like it or not.

Neither Warren nor Sanders is a socialist, though. They're generic Democrats.

I didn't think it was possible to make a post that was more stupid than the one you replied to, but you did it. Congrats.

Sanders calls himself a Socialist. Why would he call himself a Socialist if he wasn't an actual socialist? It's not as if being a socialist is "cool" in this country. Even extreme liberals like Nancy Pelosi are capitalists.

DEMOCRATIC socialist.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

DWS forced Warren to not actually endorse Sanders, but everyone knows Warren would have endorsed Sanders had she been allowed to, which makes her a socialist, like it or not.

Neither Warren nor Sanders is a socialist, though. They're generic Democrats.

I didn't think it was possible to make a post that was more stupid than the one you replied to, but you did it. Congrats.

Sanders calls himself a Socialist. Why would he call himself a Socialist if he wasn't an actual socialist? It's not as if being a socialist is "cool" in this country. Even extreme liberals like Nancy Pelosi are capitalists.

DEMOCRATIC socialist.

All that part means is that Sanders doesn't support appointing a dictator. Socialism is not a system that requires a dictator to make it work.

[Attorney General & Senator Dwarven Dragon]

@Wulfric: Socialism is inevitable. Get over it.

Even if it is inevitable, I will still fight against it, as I believe it is an unamerican ideology. Pelosi said it best: "We're capitalists and that's just the way it is."

[ApatheticAustrian]

DWS forced Warren to not actually endorse Sanders, but everyone knows Warren would have endorsed Sanders had she been allowed to, which makes her a socialist, like it or not.

Neither Warren nor Sanders is a socialist, though. They're generic Democrats.

is the word "social democrats" so unheard of in the US? the rest of the democratic party are located between european christian democrats and green parties.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

@Wulfric: Socialism is inevitable. Get over it.

Even if it is inevitable, I will still fight against it, as I believe it is an unamerican ideology. Pelosi said it best: "We're capitalists and that's just the way it is."

Most free market countries according to the Libertarian Heritage foundation:

1. Hong Kong
   
2. Switzerland

3. Singapore
   
4. Australia

5. New Zealand

6. Canada

7. Chile

8. Ireland

9. Estonia

10. United Kingdom

11. United States

http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

Ever single one of those countries ahead of the US has universal health care, maternity leave, paid vacation, etc...

The Heritage Foundation is conservative, not libertarian.  And, a lot of this is Obama's fault.  The Index of Economic Freedom is also a pretty complicated calculation.

[kyc0705]

DWS forced Warren to not actually endorse Sanders, but everyone knows Warren would have endorsed Sanders had she been allowed to, which makes her a socialist, like it or not.

Neither Warren nor Sanders is a socialist, though. They're generic Democrats.

is the word "social democrats" so unheard of in the US? the rest of the democratic party are located between european christian democrats and green parties.

It seems to be. You're either branded a Wall Street crony or literally Stalin.