The Patriot Post Digest 8-1-2017

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The Patriot Post Digest 8-1-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
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First, the president viewed Kelly’s performance at DHS to be top-notch27, and more importantly, Kelly was incredibly loyal to Trump during the administration’s bungled executive order28 on immigration and travel restrictions in February. Trump has said on numerous occasions that he values the trait of loyalty above all others and he believes Kelly is a person he can trust.

Second, Kelly is a retired senior military officer and Trump loves generals29, as evidenced by his selections of Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as National Security Advisor and retired four-star Gen. James Mattis30 to be secretary of defense. Trump believes a military officer can bring some badly needed order and discipline to the West Wing that was sorely missing under Priebus.

There is some precedence for his logic. Back in 1973, former Supreme Allied Commander Alexander Haig held the chief of staff position in the Nixon administration and was later credited by a former official31 for “holding the office together” during the final days of the Watergate crisis.

Third, Trump values Kelly’s former experiences in the nation’s capital. During his storied career, Kelly served at the Pentagon and worked closely with significant decision-makers from both parties. He served as a military assistant to both Leon Panetta and Robert Gates and was lauded by both men for his dedication to duty and ability to get things done. More importantly, Kelly was exposed to the contentious political atmosphere surrounding the DC Beltway and the challenges associated with implementing policy.

Which leads us back to the question of whether Trump is serious about enabling Kelly to thrive in his new position. While we believe Trump respects Kelly, we doubt Trump is going to change his leadership style. As a result the chaos surrounding this administration will continue to swirl.

As a septuagenarian former businessman, Trump is loath to change. He believes his business-executive, shoot-from-the-hip style, which has earned him billions of dollars and the presidency, is the template for success. But Trump’s predisposition toward listening to family members and longtime associates over professional staff makes it difficult for him to govern effectively.

In his insightful book32, “The Gatekeepers: How The White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency,” Chris Whipple writes about the critical role that chiefs of staff have played since the middle of the 20th century. The major theme of the book is that a strong chief of staff is often the difference between a strong or weak presidency. Whipple writes that a chief can make or break an administration and that each president reveals himself by the choice he selects.

Regarding Kelly, Whipple now says Scaramucci’s dismissal is “a signal that everybody needs to come through [Kelly] — that there needs to be discipline.” He added, “To do it on Day One is a good first step, but it’s a minimal first step. Ultimately you’ve got a much bigger problem, which is Donald Trump.”

John Kelly certainly has the tools to be an outstanding chief of staff, but only time will tell if President Trump will allow him to do what is needed to be successful.

MORE ANALYSIS FROM THE PATRIOT POST

Wouldn’t It Be Great if We Could Buy ‘Made in America’ Again?33 — It has a different meaning in our modern global economy, but that label is more than just a label.
Putin Hits Back After Trump Promises to Sign Sanctions34 — The U.S.-Russia relationship may seem even more strained, but in reality little has changed since 2000.

BEST OF RIGHT OPINION

Cal Thomas: The President Is Not the Enemy35
Rich Lowry: The Revolution Devours Venezuela36
Dennis Prager: Can a Conservative Conduct an Orchestra?37

For more, visit Right Opinion38.

OPINION IN BRIEF

Cal Thomas: “‘Face the Nation’ host John Dickerson editorialized on his show last Sunday about a video that purports to show President Trump ignoring an 11-year-old boy in a wheelchair while greeting others who attended his health care speech last week. Trump haters claim the video proves how insensitive he is. Dickerson said the first thing the president did when entering the room was to bend down and speak to the child. About the mischaracterized video, Dickerson said: ‘We’re so ready for evidence to confirm the absolute worst about an opponent it snuffs out our charity.’ He’s right and when it suits them both Left and Right engage in this shameful practice. Better build up this president and the good he can do, as he is the only president we have. North Korea and Iraq are becoming imminent threats. Throwing rhetorical ‘bombs’ at our fellow citizens is not helpful. We are not each other’s enemy. There are many who wish to destroy us. Why are we helping them?”

SHORT CUTS

Insight: “I believe that if the people of this nation fully understood what Congress has done to them over the last 49 years, they would move on Washington; they would not wait for an election. … It adds up to a preconceived plan to destroy the economic and social independence of the United States!” —George W. Malone (1890-1961)

For the record: “If I had a staff member, an IT staff member, who had access to all of our data and all of our infrastructure and he had come under investigation and had smashed hard drives with a hammer and was trying to flee the country, you better believe I would be cooperating [with authorities].” —RNC chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel

Upright: “Energy poverty is a greater threat to the world than a sudden climate disaster. Here’s why. According to the International Energy Agency, 1.2 billion people lack access to modern sources of electricity. About 2.7 billion lack consumer access to natural gas, petrol products, propane and kerosene. Rather, they’re dependent on biomass. Though most biomass meant for cooking, like wood and coal, aren’t invalid ways to cook, burning gas and electricity would do wonders for the impoverished populations of the world and, yes, even the environment.” —Michael McGrady

Braying Jenny: “By putting Gen. John Kelly in charge, President Trump is militarizing the White House & putting our executive branch in the hands of an extremist.” —Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)

Non Compos Mentis: “Long before they began their missile tests the U.S. was conducting nuclear bombing runs against North Korea. … They’ve been basically cornered into feeling like they have to develop a nuclear weapon.” —Jill Stein, Green Party presidential nominee

And last… “Venezuela is a woeful reminder that no country is so rich that it can’t be driven into the ground by revolutionary socialism.” —Rich Lowry

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Managing Editor Nate Jackson

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