Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings **live commentary thread**

[SATW]

Definitely not a dumb man, but I still, cannot, support his nomination as a concerned American. I want more solid answers from him key issues facing the country.

I side w/ McCain and Graham still atm.

[Ronnie]

Boy, his answer on the Muslim registry was weak.  He should have just said "no".

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

This sh**t is joke. Republicans are guiding him through this confirmation.

Yeah, the Dems have never done that in the history of confirmations, have they. 

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

In case you don't think these hearings are more than chance to hear themselves talk -

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/cory-booker-lays-groundwork-for-2020-run-at-jeff-sessions-hearings/ar-BByapts?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

This sh**t is joke. Republicans are guiding him through this confirmation.

Yeah, the Dems have never done that in the history of confirmations, have they. 

For a CEO of Exxon and holder of the Russian Order of Friendship, no, I don't think they have.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

This sh**t is joke. Republicans are guiding him through this confirmation.

Yeah, the Dems have never done that in the history of confirmations, have they. 

For a CEO of Exxon and holder of the Russian Order of Friendship, no, I don't think they have.

You're not going to like the next 4 years much. 

[Devout Centrist]

Rubio just came back... trying to get Rex Tillerson to agree that Saudi Arabia and the new leader in the Phillipines are terrible human rights violators.

Has he become a Democrat?

You had to have watched other confirmation hearings before this one.  There's always a few who need to put on a show for the cameras.  It's just sport.  I doubt he cares about half of what he's asking.  But if this thread was national news, the Rubio mentions and faux Rubio love would have him grinning ear to ear.

If Rubio truly has  set of balls, he'll vote, no.  We'll see.

Balls? Rubio?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Rubio just came back... trying to get Rex Tillerson to agree that Saudi Arabia and the new leader in the Phillipines are terrible human rights violators.

Has he become a Democrat?

You had to have watched other confirmation hearings before this one.  There's always a few who need to put on a show for the cameras.  It's just sport.  I doubt he cares about half of what he's asking.  But if this thread was national news, the Rubio mentions and faux Rubio love would have him grinning ear to ear.

If Rubio truly has  set of balls, he'll vote, no.  We'll see.

Balls? Rubio?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yep, that's why I think he's just being Captain Blowhard.

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

Tillerson's responses on the Ukrainian question concern me; I think he is too anti-Russia and too similar in his stances to #NeverTrumpers McCain and Graham. I would not vote for him if I was Senator, and would plead for a more acceptable candidate, such as Rohrabacher. But if I knew for certain Tillerson was lying (which is certainly possible), then I would vote for him.

I think Tillerson is an acceptable candidate for who he is, but not for his answers.

[Devout Centrist]

Tillerson's responses on the Ukrainian question concern me; I think he is too anti-Russia and too similar in his stances to #NeverTrumpers McCain and Graham. I would not vote for him if I was Senator, and would plead for a more acceptable candidate, such as Rohrabacher. But if I knew for certain Tillerson was lying (which is certainly possible), then I would vote for him.

I think Tillerson is an acceptable candidate for who he is, but not for his answers.

Oh my god I hope you're not serious...

[Mr. Morden]

Booker actually seemed to be saying that he expects Tillerson will be confirmed.  It sounds like at least some of the Dems might not be that bothered with the Russia angle on Tillerson, and might vote him out of committee, meaning he'd reach the Senate floor even if Rubio defects and votes no.

[justfollowingtheelections]

I wouldn't vote for Tillerson if I was in the Senate, but he's one of the least offensive Trump picks.  I'm more concerned with Sessions, Puzder, Price, Carson, Perry, DeVos and Pruitt.

[Lumine]

Having seen some parts of Tillerson's hearings I can concede that the man is smart, but yes, he should not be Secretary of State. I think he'll be confirmed anyway, but I wish it had been a different pick.

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

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-I very much am. When Tillerson denies Russia's rightful claim over Krim and says "I would have recommended that the Ukraine take all of its military assets it had available, put them on that eastern border, provide those assets with defensive weapons that are necessary just to defend themselves", that is a recipe for worsened relations and greater confrontation. Ukraine is not a part of NATO; it is a loser country with people who are nearly incapable of coordinating themselves, but are more than capable of ripping America off. It was poorer than China (China! Who would have thought that in 1990?) before the war; the present government is less popular than Yanukovich's at its worst (much less Putin's at its worst), and Ukraine is not a U.S. ally in any sense, and America has no commitments whatsoever to its defense. Putin's actions in relation to that country were more than justified by U.S. support for its completely unconstitutional parliamentary coup.

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-I think Perry and Carson are simply unqualified, and Puzder an enemy of the working class. Sessions is somewhat too pro-surveillance and a bit too much of a drug warrior, but is a Trump loyalist and a strong friend of the border. Cruz is for him, Amash is not a fan. Would not be sure what to do with him.

The others I have no strong feelings on, and would probably vote for if I was in the Senate.

[Devout Centrist]

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-I very much am. When Tillerson denies Russia's rightful claim over Krim and says "I would have recommended that the Ukraine take all of its military assets it had available, put them on that eastern border, provide those assets with defensive weapons that are necessary just to defend themselves", that is a recipe for worsened relations and greater confrontation. Ukraine is not a part of NATO; it is a loser country

Oh. I see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnj-PV1-tc

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

[justfollowingtheelections]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

I guess he's already started his 2020 campaign.

[The Other Castro]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

I don't see how this gets out of committee if that's the case.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Does anyone know when the committee's will start voting?

[The Other Castro]

The Tillerson hearing has concluded. No additional testimony tomorrow.

[KingSweden]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

The plot thickens...

Wonder who The Donald's backup would be?

[The Other Castro]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

The plot thickens...

Wonder who The Donald's backup would be?

Corker?

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

The plot thickens...

Wonder who The Donald's backup would be?

Corker?

what about ROMNEY?

[KingSweden]

Rubio is hinting he'll vote no on Tillerson on CNN

The plot thickens...

Wonder who The Donald's backup would be?

Corker?

Probably. Wouldn't be the worst, honestly

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

The worst would be Romney. I oppose Tillerson for his excessive Russophobia. Rohrabacher, who truly understands Putin and has a solid grasp of foreign affairs, would be best.