Russia's Man at State

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Kurt Eichenwald ?@kurteichenwald 15h15 hours ago
If Trump wants 2 end suspicions he's 2 close 2 Russia, shuld stop considering ppl 4 office who pose in Putin selfies http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2016/12/06/russia-ties-complicate-exxon-ceo-rex-tillersons-prospects-trump-secretary-state-gig

Russia ties complicate Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson's prospects for secretary of state gig

As head of Exxon Mobil, the world's 8th largest company, Tillerson has plenty of negotiating experience and face time with world leaders -- though limited experience when it comes to the gamut of issues the nation's chief diplomat deals with.

He's under pressure for ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, especially given questions about the president-elect's outspoken admiration for the Russian strongman.

Few Americans are closer with Putin than Tillerson, who has long represented Exxon's interests in Russia.

"He has had more interactive time with Vladimir Putin than probably any other American with the exception of Henry Kissinger," John Hamre, a deputy defense secretary during the Clinton administration and president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank where Tillerson is a board member, told the Wall St. Journal.

In 2011 Exxon beat out BP and other competitors in a historic deal giving it access to Arctic and other deposits in Russia, while allowing state-owned Rosneft its first-ever access to energy projects in the United States. The next year, "the Kremlin bestowed the country's Order of Friendship decoration" on Tillerson, the Journal reported.

read: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2016/12/06/russia-ties-complicate-exxon-ceo-rex-tillersons-prospects-trump-secretary-state-gig

Kurt Eichenwald ?@kurteichenwald 15h15 hours ago
Romney or Huntsman would skate into confirm as Sec State. Tillerson less qualified & would be an endless battle. Would Trump really do this?

*update*

Mark Murray ?@mmurraypolitics 6m6 minutes ago
@mitchellreports reports that Trump has chosen Exxon-Mobil's Rex Tillerson to be his Sec of State.

[justhanginon]

1. I wonder when Commissar Comey will travel to Russia

to have the well deserved "Order of Friendship"Bestowed on his disgusting self.

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2. maybe we can hang it on him

...sort of unceremoniously.

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3. kick

...

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4. just a coincidence

Ken Gude ?@KenGude 52m52 minutes ago

I'm sure its just a coincidence that guy Trump picks out of the blue for SecState-who has no previous gov experience-got a medal from Putin.