# 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:** 45
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/881 "2017-01-19T22:30:20Z")
Hey, running coach, > [@running\_coach](#): > > Don’t you ever get tired of being wrong? ---
**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:** [January 19, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/882 "2017-01-19T22:31:19Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The previous ambassador was Matthew Barzun, an Obama fundraiser. > The ambassador before him was Louis Susman, a St. Louis Cardinals executive and Democratic Party fundraiser. > The ambassador before him was Robert H. Tuttle, a George W. Bush fundraiser … Matthew Barzun-Also former Ambassador to Sweden. Louis Susman-Practiced law for 27 years, was appointed to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy by Ronald Reagan in 1988, and served as a director of the Center for National Policy in Washington, D.C. Robert Tuttle-previously worked in the White House during the Reagan administration as an Assistant to the President in 1982, and Director of Presidential Personnel in 1985. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/883 "2017-01-19T22:31:21Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The previous ambassador was Matthew Barzun, an Obama fundraiser. > The ambassador before him was Louis Susman, a St. Louis Cardinals executive and Democratic Party fundraiser. > The ambassador before him was Robert H. Tuttle, a George W. Bush fundraiser … From their respective Wiki pages. > [@](#): > > The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator John Kerry, approved Barzun’s nomination as Ambassador to Sweden > > Susman was appointed to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy by Ronald Reagan in 1988, and served as a director of the Center for National Policy in Washington, D.C. > > Both Tuttle and his predecessor William Farish were both wealthy private citizens with personal and financial ties to the Bush family. > Tuttle previously worked in the White House during the Reagan administration as an Assistant to the President in 1982, and Director of Presidential Personnel in 1985 I’d say Tuttle was marginal but he did have some political experience. The only qualification I can see for Johnson is he has an ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/884 "2017-01-19T22:41:40Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Matthew Barzun-Also former Ambassador to Sweden. Yes, during Obama’s first term. His only qualification for the Sweden gig: being an Obama fundraiser during his 2008 campaign. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/885 "2017-01-19T22:45:10Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, during Obama’s first term. His only qualification for the Sweden gig: being an Obama fundraiser during his 2008 campaign. The Swiss gig was a test run-much less important politically than the UK appointment. They liked what they saw and he got the promotion. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/886 "2017-01-19T22:47:08Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Didn’t Trump say something about how he hires only the best and something about Hillary engaging in pay-for-play? Is it just Me, or did Everyone Here notice that during the campaign, every positive thing he said about himself was true of his opponent… …and every negative thing he accused his opponent of was 100% true of himself? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/887 "2017-01-19T22:49:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Swiss gig was a test run-much less important politically than the UK appointment. They liked what they saw and he got the promotion. Or they liked all the fundraising he did as the National Finance Chair for Obama’s 2012 campaign, which is why they gave him the UK gig in 2013. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/888 "2017-01-19T22:53:11Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Or they liked all the fundraising he did as the National Finance Chair for Obama’s 2012 campaign, which is why they gave him the UK gig in 2013. Considering he was confirmed by unanimous consent of the Senate, I’d say there was something more to it than his fundraising prowess for just one of the two parties. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/889 "2017-01-19T22:58:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Considering he was confirmed by unanimous consent of the Senate, I’d say there was something more to it than his fundraising prowess for just one of the two parties. It won’t surprise me in the least if Woody Johnson also gets confirmed by unanimous consent of the Senate. Ambassadorships are routinely given to supporters and fundraisers. Both parties do it. I doubt that Schumer wants to upset the apple cart. It’s just a leftover bit of patronage in our political system. Your attempt to make an issue of it with Trump looks dumb. I don’t know if you were ignorant of the long, bipartisan tradition of appointing supporters and fundraisers to ambassadorships when you brought it up, or if you think Trump is somehow being more egregious about it than others. Your arguments thus far have been shitty and unconvincing. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/890 "2017-01-19T23:33:26Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Is it just Me, or did Everyone Here notice that during the campaign, every positive thing he said about himself was true of his opponent… > …and every negative thing he accused his opponent of was 100% true of himself? It’s definitely not just you. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/891 "2017-01-20T03:06:37Z")
I do recall Il Douche reassuring us as to his sexual adequacy. Ms Clinton, however, offered us no such assurance. So, one for him, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/892 "2017-01-20T03:20:47Z")
[The Pentagon has shut down HWMNBN’s attempt to have tanks roll down Pennsylvania Avenue during his inaugural parade.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-military-equipment-inauguration_us_58811f4ae4b096b4a23091f7?section=us_politics) ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/893 "2017-01-20T06:37:52Z")
I get that you’re talking about Trump, but I can’t figure out: what does HWMNBN stand for? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/894 "2017-01-20T07:04:39Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I get that you’re talking about Trump, but I can’t figure out: what does HWMNBN stand for? Voldemort. I thought that came from the fact that any non-political online space where he’s mentioned immediately becomes infested by fucking obnoxious Trump-Brand Trolls (seriously Path of Exile global chat is a fucking shit-show), but apparently it’s a thing more people are saying. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/895 "2017-01-20T12:15:34Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [The Pentagon has shut down HWMNBN’s attempt to have tanks roll down Pennsylvania Avenue during his inaugural parade.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-military-equipment-inauguration_us_58811f4ae4b096b4a23091f7?section=us_politics) Dang. I guess he thought that as Commander in Chief (oh god) the military has to follow his orders. What a disappointment. I shudder to think what that title does to his ego. He must believe he now has ALL the toys in his own personal toybox. (oh god) ---
**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:** [January 20, 2017, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/896 "2017-01-20T12:25:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Dang. \*\*I guess he thought that as Commander in Chief (oh god) the military has to follow his orders. What a disappointment. \*\* > > I shudder to think what that title does to his ego. He must believe he now has ALL the toys in his own personal toybox. > > (oh god) He forgot he’s not C-in-C yet. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/897 "2017-01-20T13:21:29Z")
I haven’t read the entire thread, so sorry if this has been asked. Has there been any backlash at all amongst Trump supporters about his Cabinet picks? I mean how can you claim to “drain the swamp” and then appoint the people Trump has done? And then also appointing a bunch of Goldman Sachs ex’s after attacking Clinton for her Wall St connections. Do Trump supporters have any self awareness at all about the contradictions? ---
**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:** [January 20, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/898 "2017-01-20T13:25:10Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I haven’t read the entire thread, so sorry if this has been asked. Has there been any backlash at all amongst Trump supporters about his Cabinet picks? I mean how can you claim to “drain the swamp” and then appoint the people Trump has done? And then also appointing a bunch of Goldman Sachs ex’s after attacking Clinton for her Wall St connections. Do Trump supporters have any self awareness at all about the contradictions? Basic principle: Trump can do no wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/899 "2017-01-20T19:04:16Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I get that you’re talking about Trump, but I can’t figure out: what does HWMNBN stand for? He Who Must Not Be Named ---
**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:** [January 20, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/900 "2017-01-20T19:14:35Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I haven’t read the entire thread, so sorry if this has been asked. Has there been any backlash at all amongst Trump supporters about his Cabinet picks? I mean how can you claim to “drain the swamp” and then appoint the people Trump has done? And then also appointing a bunch of Goldman Sachs ex’s after attacking Clinton for her Wall St connections. Do Trump supporters have any self awareness at all about the contradictions? They believed him even after decades of recorded lies, so why wouldn’t they believe it when he says that they will be great for the country? They have too much emotional investment in him-any questions now would just make them feel bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=46)