Heitkamp becomes first Dem to back Pompeo for secretary of State

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill



BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 04/19/18 03:05 PM EDT

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) said Thursday that she will support President Trump's nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo as secretary of State, virtually guaranteeing he will win confirmation.

Heitkamp, who faces a difficult reelection race this fall in a state Trump won by double-digits, becomes the first Senate Democrat to announce her support for Pompeo.

“The role of the State Department is to support our diplomatic missions to avoid conflict, support American interests, and stand up for our allies, and having a leadership team in place is essential to carrying out those jobs,” she said in a statement.

If he is confirmed, Heitkamp said that she would “hold Mr. Pompeo accountable to make sure he advances our country’s leadership in the world and supports our embassies.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/383990-heitkamp-to-support-pompeo-for-secretary-of-state

[kimbutgar]

1. Well bless her heart

She might have well changed her party to Republican.

[wellst0nev0ter]

13. If Only She Had a Heart to Bless

Anyone who backs a torture apologist is dead to me.

[PubliusEnigma]

2. Trump's favorite Democrat will be gone in the Fall.

[bearsfootball516]

3. Vulnerable Democrat in a red state.

Can't say I'm too surprised.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Why?

[keopeli]

5. Do Dems like Heidi really believe that giving Trump the ammunition he wants will get them elected?

Heidi obviously has no worries about being re-elected. She has 4 more years in her term and North Dakota is not a liberal mecca, but any loss of support among her base Dems would be catastrophic, I think.

Her 'excuse' is that the State Department needs a leader, so she will be sure to hold him to account (? how will she do this?) to make sure he "advances our country's leadership". What a bunch of BS!

I think she believes this move will help her in the long run. But, that's only true if we stick with the course we're on. So, she must believe that our future is all Trump, all the time.

[hatrack]

9. No, she's up for reelection this year . . .

Kevin Cramer, the at-large Congressman, will be her likely opponent.

[GulfCoast66]

18. Care to rethink your opinion?

Since she has a tough election this fall.

If you insist that all Democratic politicians be progressives you are insist on a permanent minority.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. Oh FFS!!! nt

[turbinetree]

7. WTF...........................

[onecaliberal]

8. Geezuz. She is going to be replaced by a real Tepublican in November.

[LenaBaby61]

10. Well .....

Heitkamp said ....

"She would “hold Mr. Pompeo accountable to make sure he advances our country’s leadership in the world and supports our embassies.”

I mean who wouldn't trust Pompeo?

He looks like a sincere and honest broker

[notdarkyet]

11. I think she deserves some calls, about this....

[JNelson6563]

12. Nevermind the country Heidi! Save yourself!!

Ugh.

[bluestarone]

14. not at all happy here BUT

I'm afraid It's either her or Cramer, Won't donate but will have to vote for her! She's let me down numerous times! but like they say worst Dem is Far better than ANY REPUG.

[liberalhistorian]

15. The only reason Heitkamp won in

2012 was thanks to the Indian vote, which squeaked her over the edge. But she won't be getting that vote this time due to her complete lack of support for them and their horrendous treatment during the NO DAPL protests, and her kowtowing to the private industry upon whose behalf the state's law enforcement and criminal justice agencies prostrated themselves. So she likely won't win.

The problem is, as bad as she is, Kevin Cramer is far worse.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

16. Say what?

[Cha]

17. My Senator Schatz says he won't vote for

pompeo. And, neither will Senator Tim Kaine

[Jake Stern]

19. Principles? Psssh!

According to Heitkamp, Trump's entitled to have a torture apologist as Secretary of State. Apparently Donny Sunkist getting what he wants is far more important than some "quaint" values.

Just how would a nay vote on his confirmation provide any more ammo against her than the GOP already has?

[jmowreader]

20. Survival move

You KNOW Trump's minions would use her refusal to support this asshat as fodder for attack ads.

Also, better the devil you know...Pompeo is unqualified to be SecState, but Trump knows people who are worse.

[Izzy Blue]

21. Even after this?

" virtually guaranteeing he will win confirmation."



"Pompeo to Lose Foreign Relations Committee Vote"



"Washington, DC – NIAC Action Executive Director Jamal Abdi issued the following statement after a majority of the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced their opposition to Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo:

“This is a blow to Pompeo’s standing that will haunt him even if he is confirmed. The Senate is sending a warning that Pompeo’s hawkish impulses will be resisted if he makes it into the administration. Nobody voted to return Iraq war architect John Bolton to the White House. Adding Pompeo, who supports war and regime change for Iran, is a combustible mix.

“President Trump will make his decision on whether to kill the Iran deal in just weeks."

more
https://www.niacouncil.org/pompeo-rejected-foreign-relations-committee/