Secretary of State

Word is that former CIA Director and commander of the Surge in Iraq, General David Petraeus, is a finalist for Secretary of State.  I think that would be unwise.  He has already shown bad judgment in sharing classified data with his mistress/biographer.  Much like Hillary Clinton, he was above the law, just not as far above it as she was.  Lower ranking officers who pulled that crap would have suffered more than an ignominious resignation.  Furthermore, despite years spent fighting 'Islamic terrorism,' he has learned nothing of Islam.  During the controversy over a Florida pastor burning Korans, Petraeus weighed with an opinion.  His opinion was that the pastor should not exercise his 1st Amendment right to free speech because some Afghanis and Iraqis might be offended.  Between the bad judgment with his mistress and the failure to see Islam for what it is, Petraeus disqualifies himself.  The first error should deny him a security clearance for life and the second makes him unsuitable to negotiate a long term peace in the Middle East.

 

The other finalist is Mitt Romney.  Mitt was one of the leading NeverTrumpers and gave a scathing speech about Trump.  That Trump would consider Romney after this speaks highly of Trump.  When looking at Romney's failed 2012 presidential run, it is obvious that he saw the diplomatic landscape far more clearly than did Obama.  He declared that Russia was a primary geopolitical foe and the last four years has demonstrated that beyond any doubt.  Obama's retort that the 80s want their foreign policy back does not play as well today.  Where Romney was squishy on domestic policy - thus his need for Ryan on the ticket - his planned foreign policy would have been more muscular and in the standard Republican mold.  Also, his business background is more suited to cutting deals (e.g. win-win) than Petraeus' military background that is more naturally confrontational (we win, you lose).

 

Given only these two, I would pick Romney.  Trump's base is not keen on him because of Romney's harsh attacks during the campaign.  That same base is better disposed toward Petraeus.

 

Trump is not going to be a normal president.  He has already done things that a no previous president-elect has done.  He is famous for saying "You're fired!" and might very well replace his cabinet on a more frequent basis than any other president.  We have had politicians and military men as presidents but never a businessman.  Will he settle into a more standard presidency or will it continue to be weird like the campaign?