New name appears on Trump VP sweepstakes: retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn

[book_worm]

“After weeks of focusing on a group of current and former elected officials in his search for a running mate, Donald Trump is increasingly intrigued by the idea of tapping retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn in order to project strength and know-how on national security, according to four people familiar with the vetting process,” the Washington Post reports.

“Flynn, a registered Democrat but fierce critic of President Obama, previously ran the Defense Intelligence Agency.”

“The turn toward a military figure is being driven by Trump himself rather than by his advisers, the people said, and comes as the real estate mogul is telling his friends that national unrest may demand a ‘tough and steady’ presence alongside him on the ticket.”

https://politicalwire.com/2016/07/09/trump-considering-retired-general-for-veep/

This reminds me of the Wallace/LeMay ticket of 1968.

[Tal Vez]

1. How come he never got four stars??

There must be something wrong with him.

[MADem]

4. Did he quit.... or was he FIRED?

Once you get past 2 stars, you REALLY serve at the "pleasure of the President."

Some information on his departure--he sounds like a bit of a HARDASS: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/head-of-pentagon-intelligence-agency-forced-out-officials-say/2014/04/30/ec15a366-d09d-11e3-9e25-188ebe1fa93b_story.html

The top two officials at the Defense Intelligence Agency said Wednesday that they will retire from those positions in the coming months, part of a leadership shake-up at an agency that is under pressure to trim budgets and shift focus after more than a decade of war, current and former U.S. officials said.

Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn is expected to end his tenure as DIA director this summer, about a year before he was scheduled to depart, according to officials who said Flynn faced pressure from Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. and others in recent months. His deputy, David Shedd, had been in his job since 2010.

The moves come at a time when the DIA is in the midst of major changes, including an effort by senior Pentagon officials to expand the agency’s network of spies overseas, improve collection on unfolding crises such as the one in Ukraine, and work more closely with the CIA.

The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, said that their retirements “have been planned for some time” .....Kirby did not indicate when Flynn and Shedd would step down. Lt. Gen. Mary A. Legere, the Army’s top intelligence officer, is considered a leading candidate to replace Flynn, and she would be the first female DIA director if nominated and confirmed.

Flynn, who served as a top intelligence adviser to Gen. Stanley McChrystal in Iraq and Afghanistan, arrived at the DIA in July 2012 vowing to accelerate the agency’s overhaul. Asked after a public speech how he would treat employees reluctant to embrace his agenda, Flynn said he would “move them or fire them.”

[MADem]

2. Anyone here serve with this guy?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/09/a-curveball-in-trumps-veep-search-hes-seriously-considering-a-retired-general/

Flynn’s formal vetting by the Trump campaign was first reported by the New York Post. In an interview with the newspaper, Flynn did not deny that he was under consideration.

“All I would say is that I have been honored to serve my country for the past three decades and look forward to serving in other ways now that I am retired from the U.S. Army,” Flynn said. “I’ve been a soldier too long to refuse to entertain any request from a potential commander in chief.”

Still, Trump remains undecided on his vice-presidential pick, the people said. While warming toward Flynn, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, among several others, are being vetted, and many of his associates are urging him to go with a seasoned governor or senator who could help to unite the party.....Some Trump advisers are making a case against Flynn, saying he is a possible risk because of his lack of political experience and uncertainty over how he would handle intense national media scrutiny. His views on domestic policy are mostly unknown and his Democratic registration could also be a big problem among Republicans who want Trump to pick a proven conservative leader.

In U.S. history, military service is a common trait among those holding executive office. And there is precedent for populist candidates to pick a general as a running mate. George Wallace, running as a segregationist in 1968, picked retired Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay. In 1992, independent candidate Ross Perot picked retired Navy Adm. James Stockdale.

Like Trump, Flynn is not hostile toward Russia. Last year, he sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow dinner honoring RT, the English-language network aligned with the Kremlin that broadcasts into the United States and other Western countries.

Hmmmmmmm.

Why do i get the notion that the RNC wouldn't love this pick? LOL!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Have the news on all day in the background while I work. I have heard

Trump a zillion times (ask me anything ) He wants someone who knows the federal government inside and out because he knows business he's got to have someone who knows govt.

Although he doesn't seem to know foreign affairs either. Actually the more I think about it, he needs to pick someone who could actually be the real president !

[northoftheborder]

5. Heh!!!!!!