# Trump's Cabinet of Curiosities **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367 "2016-11-10T16:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/61 "2016-11-13T18:27:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Liberal hypocrisy. He already said it. No. Hypocrisy would be an accusation that **Czarcasm** does it while advocating against it. I’m pointing out that he does it while in the middle of hearing a great deal of argument about why it’s a bad idea. Obviously he’s unmoved by that argument. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/62 "2016-11-13T18:30:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > …I think Gingrich and Bolton are both solid choices for the State Department… Very droll. All kidding aside, tell us what you really think. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/63 "2016-11-13T18:31:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No. > > Hypocrisy would be an accusation that **Czarcasm** does it while advocating against it. > > I’m pointing out that he does it while in the middle of hearing a great deal of argument about why it’s a bad idea. Obviously he’s unmoved by that argument. I used the name to emphasize the point that, no matter how bad I thought Bush II and his cabinet was, I would choose it over Trump and his shortlist of embarrassments. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/64 "2016-11-13T18:38:07Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Finally, I’d be mildly opposed to McChrystal. There’s enough baggage there that I think he’d be hobbled. Is that McChrystal Meth - a new kind of Scottish aperitif, perhaps? Can you order in bulk, like for four four years … ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/65 "2016-11-13T18:52:08Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Not having been particularly political at the time, how much worse does this look than Bush’s picks? I’d rather have Bush’s picks back, and I’d rather pound my nuts flat with a wooden hammer than allow Bush’s Cabinet to reconvene. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/66 "2016-11-13T19:07:34Z")
Among his possibilities, I hope that Gingrich gets State. Yes, he’s a cad, but he is very intelligent, and a student of history. I think he’d like the intellectual rigor of international relations and be very engaged in negotiations. Unlike somebody like Bolton, I don’t think he’d just reject diplomacy or capitulation without giving his options careful consideration. And the one saving grace of putting an egomaniac in a position of leadership- he is desperate for adulation, so he does want to do a good job. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/67 "2016-11-13T19:09:59Z")
He wants massive approval and adulation. Not the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/68 "2016-11-13T19:13:17Z")
Aside: I actually read his “science fiction” book, _1945_. The print equivalent of _Plan Nine from Outer Space._ The sex scenes alone would move a fifteen year old boy to a vow of celibacy. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/69 "2016-11-14T07:18:10Z")
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: 'chief strategist and senior counselor’ is Goldman Sachs. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/70 "2016-11-14T07:49:19Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: 'chief strategist and senior counselor’ is Goldman Sachs. Not so much draining the swamp as pumping it full of sewage. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/71 "2016-11-15T01:58:19Z")
The latest news chatter is that Secretary of State is Rudy Giuliani’s job if he wants it. I’m truly baffled (although I guess I shouldn’t be - this is shaping up to be the most incompetent administration in history). I don’t believe that Rudy has any foreign policy credentials, he is lacking in tact, and he’s another old codger who doesn’t seem up to the task of traveling the world. Oh boy! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/72 "2016-11-15T02:06:00Z")
Just heard that perhaps Laura Ingram is on the short [del]bus[/del] list for Press Secretary. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/73 "2016-11-15T02:08:05Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > The latest news chatter is that Secretary of State is Rudy Giuliani’s job if he wants it. I’m truly baffled (although I guess I shouldn’t be - this is shaping up to be the most incompetent administration in history). > > I don’t believe that Rudy has any foreign policy credentials, he is lacking in tact, and he’s another old codger who doesn’t seem up to the task of traveling the world. Oh boy! Do you have any idea how many foreigners live in NYC? And he’s seen the U.N. building once. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/74 "2016-11-15T02:12:01Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > … this is shaping up to be the most incompetent administration in history. Do you have any easy-to-evaluate metrics that we should use in 4 years to determine if it truly was an incompetent administration or not? Anything in particular you’ll be looking at in four years to see if President Trump earned your vote for re-election or not? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/75 "2016-11-15T02:17:29Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Do you have any easy-to-evaluate metrics that we should use in 4 years to determine if it truly was an incompetent administration or not? Anything in particular you’ll be looking at in four years to see if President Trump earned your vote for re-election or not? How about unemployment, job growth and a growing economy? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/76 "2016-11-15T02:32:50Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Do you have any easy-to-evaluate metrics that we should use in 4 years to determine if it truly was an incompetent administration or not? Anything in particular you’ll be looking at in four years to see if President Trump earned your vote for re-election or not? Running Coach nailed ot. I’ll be looking at the unemployment rate, GDP, debt to GDP ratio - those metrics that show whether Trump’s America is thriving economically. Please understand that I want Trump to succeed. If ISIS is no longer a threat, if the economy prospers, if he manages to get universal health care or a massive (and effective) infrastructure law passed - I’ll be elated, and I promise I will say so. Right now, I just doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/77 "2016-11-15T02:33:38Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > How about unemployment, job growth and a growing economy? If unemployment is down, job growth is strong, and the economy is growing at a good clip, do you think you’d vote for Trump? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/78 "2016-11-15T02:43:48Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If unemployment is down, job growth is strong, and the economy is growing at a good clip, do you think you’d vote for Trump? Don’t know. Depends on if he’s been an adult or his usual raving man-child. If we lose freedom of speech and the press, “religious freedom” laws are the norm, gays are back in the closet, then no. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/79 "2016-11-21T15:39:28Z")
[From the _Austin Statesman_:](http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/rick-perry-meeting-trump-monday-amid-defense-secretary-speculation/6fqKeyBoNpJEVGFeamFtgL/) > [@](#): > > Stan Gerdes, a spokesman for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, confirmed Sunday that Perry will meet with President-elect Trump Monday at Trump Tower. On the morning news, I heard Secretary of Defense was a possibility. Or maybe Veterans Affairs. Perry [majored in Animal Husbandry at Texas A&M](http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/rick-perry-meeting-trump-monday-amid-defense-secretary-speculation/6fqKeyBoNpJEVGFeamFtgL/), then served in the Air Force a few years. (He was one of the last all-ROTC classes at A&M; which, I believe, obligates one to some military service.) His next real job: Texas House of Representatives (as a Democrat). Of course, during primary season, Trump & Perry traded a bunch of insults. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/80 "2016-11-21T15:50:14Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I think Gingrich and Bolton are both solid choices for the State Department. I hope you’re jesting. Gingrich is long past his sell by date and Bolton is just plain nuts. Having neocons at State should keep most people up at night. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=5)