Senator John McCain told reporters that he is unsure whether or not he has confidence in President Donald Trump because of “contradictory comments” that the President has made as a candidate, as President-elect and now as President. McCain, whose mentor was the seemingly transparent Senator Barry Goldwater, has earned a reputation of being outspoken and honest in relation to the media, his colleagues and his constituents. It was in this spirit that McCain revealed his true feelings about his confidence, or lack thereof, in Trump as President.
McCain’s confidence in Trump’s Cabinet picks
Although McCain could not express any semblance of confidence in Donald Trump as President, he did give a “heads up” to Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. Tillerson’s nomination has proven to be quite controversial because of concerns over his position on Russia’s involvement with Syria. However, McCain has promised to support Tillerson. McCain’s support is an outgrowth of his fundamental belief that Tillerson can be “an effective advocate for U.S. interests.” (ABC News, January 22, 2017).
McCain stated that even though he cannot claim to support Trump, that the fact that the nominees are “outstanding,” is “bound to be an outstanding sign,” (ABC News, January 22, 2017).
Marco Rubio to vote “No” on Tillerson
Despite McCain’s confidence in Tillerson, his GOP colleague who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), does not share McCain’s confidence in the nominee for Secretary of State. Senator Marco Rubio, (R, Fla.), has vowed not to vote for Tillerson because of his dissatisfaction with Tillerson’s answers to questions about Russia’s intervention into the affairs of Syria.
Without Rubio’s “Yes” vote, Tillerson’s confirmation won’t be approved by the SFRC.
Although Tillerson’s confirmation still could be approved by the overall Senate on the Senate Floor, his rejection by the SFRC nevertheless would prove to be embarrassing for Tillerson, the Trump Administration and John McCain. The embarrassment would be enhanced further by the fact that the SFRC support was blocked by a high profile Republican who also ran for President in 2016.
Women protest Trump’s inauguration
Meanwhile, over 200,000 women nationwide and even abroad marched to protest Trump’s inauguration on Saturday. The women are upset over Trump’s misogynistic comments about women, his ridicule of numerous female celebrities, and his overt downgrading of women in general. The very high male to female ratio among Trump’s Cabinet picks and staff appointments also infuriated women throughout America and in numerous countries throughout the world.
