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| Home Front: Politix |
| Democratic Senators: Trump could threaten U.S. superpower status |
| 2016-12-11 |
| President Obama is right — if President-elect Donald Trump succeeds, America succeeds. But the opposite is equally true. The costs of a failed Trump presidency would be profound for the security of the United States and countries around the world. With each passing day, we grow increasingly concerned that President-elect Trump fails to grasp the solemn, serious responsibilities that come with being our nation’s commander in chief. Protecting and advancing our national security interests is arguably the president’s most important duty. As elected representatives of a separate and co-equal branch of government, we are honor-bound by our oaths to protect and defend the Constitution. We will also offer our advice and opinions to the president and share these views with the American people, particularly when it concerns our national security. And there is much to be concerned about. First, Donald J. Trump will pledge to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20. But by any objective measure, the president-elect is on a collision course with the Constitution, which states that federal office holders cannot receive monetary gifts or otherwise financially benefit from foreign governments or affiliates. But Trump’s company and its many dealings stand in direct conflict with this prohibition. Trump has announced he will address his future with his business empire next week, and we expect nothing less than an utterly clear, concrete, black-and-white decision that prevents any actual or perceived conflict with the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Second, Trump is treating the secretary of State nomination like a reality television show. When it comes to the selection of our nation’s chief diplomat, we expect Trump to nominate someone who possesses unquestioned expertise, experience and judgment — not a political loyalist or ideological firebrand, characteristics of many of the individuals already surrounding the president-elect. Finally, we have been alarmed by the cavalier manner in which the president-elect appears to be approaching his initial interactions with foreign heads of state and other political leaders, potentially setting the stage for multiple diplomatic crises that could easily escalate. In his calls with foreign leaders, President-elect Trump has unnerved our partners, raised questions about U.S. commitments and even reportedly expressed tacit support for extrajudicial killings. Moreover, in preparing for these conversations he has ignored experts in U.S. intelligence agencies and the State Department. Indeed, we find it particularly troubling that President-elect Trump has mostly declined to take the daily intelligence briefing. Presidents and presidents-elect going back decades have begun their day this way — understanding national security threats and opportunities, asking probing questions, and making tough decisions. The information and analysis that our intelligence community provides to decision-makers is invaluable for developing a full and nuanced picture of the world. Candidate Trump’s comments on an array of foreign policy issues were disturbing at best and frightening at worst. This conduct cannot become the norm. At stake is America’s role as a global superpower: building coalitions, fostering development, combating disease, fighting terrorism, upholding democratic institutions and values, and filling leadership voids where other nations come up short. We do not yet know how President-elect Trump will treat these issues once he occupies the Oval Office, but we have little optimism at this time based on what he has presented thus far. Provocative tweets might satisfy a political base, but they do nothing to advance the national security interests of the United States. On the contrary, such missives could lead to serious misunderstandings with our allies and potential conflicts with our adversaries. - Ben Cardin and Dianne Feinstein |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #16 Wasn't removing the US superpower status Obama's goal for the last 8 years? One of the few he actually made progress on? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2016-12-11 15:56 |
| #15 Wikileaks: It seems that the building(Premise Data/T&C) they are using is owned by CBRE. The name on the public records is Mark Raggio. Mark Raggio is the First Vice President of CBRE. CBRE seems to be the real estate reps for either the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton campaign, or both. This site is surmised to be a front company, registered in Panama. Feinstein has reason to deflect to the Russians--Feinstein's husband owns CBRE. "Thou dost protest too much" |
| Posted by: One Eyed Speaking for Boskone7919 2016-12-11 14:43 |
| #14 Obama has already done this. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2016-12-11 13:40 |
| #13 "Trump could threaten US superpower status -- and that's our job!' |
| Posted by: Matt 2016-12-11 11:29 |
| #12 While. Clinton, and her Democratic Senator allies would sell that superpower status to the highest bidder. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2016-12-11 09:08 |
| #11 There is "could", but let's compare that to what Obama did. |
| Posted by: KBK 2016-12-11 09:00 |
| #10 Why do I keep thinking about Hercules and the Augean Stables? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2016-12-11 08:40 |
| #9 Propaganda BS Trump's picks are good ones. Bolton as Exec at State Dept is particularly good. He knows the system from the git-go. He will hit the ground running. State Dept. NEEDS a house cleaning. They behaved like tools for Clinton. Bolton has strong Values. And a few Generals in the Cabinet is a good thing. The Left needs to see it...and feel it. Let the little piggies squeal. |
| Posted by: Glinemble Omoluling5707 2016-12-11 08:11 |
| #8 I pay no attention to them Go 'em one better. Cut the cord and stop paying for them. IÂ canceled DirecTV and stopped subsidizing the NBA and NFL kneelers on ESPN in the bargain. Win-win-win-WIN! |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2016-12-11 08:08 |
| #7 Dear Democratic Senators - Shaddup. Best Regards, Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2016-12-11 08:02 |
| #6 Superpower like it was the last 8 years? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-12-11 07:59 |
| #5 Why does media even give these people airtime. I pay no attention to them and long for the greater potential prospects to come presented in a new media. PBS, ESPN, CNN, MSN, NBC, ABC the long goodbye. |
| Posted by: Dale 2016-12-11 07:41 |
| #4 He's not one of them either. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-12-11 07:07 |
| #3 We've already survived 8 years of a failed presidency, America must be tougher than they imagined. |
| Posted by: Clyde Grundy2116 2016-12-11 06:09 |
| #2 Translation : he's not one of us. |
| Posted by: Elmavish Panda1401 2016-12-11 04:30 |
| #1 All I could do was read the title and belly-laugh. |
| Posted by: Crusader 2016-12-11 00:12 |