Feeling Insecure

IBD Editorials ^ | October 11, 2010 | Investors Business Daily staff

[Kaslin]

Political Pick: Tom Donilon is in line to replace retiring Marine Gen. Jim Jones as the administration's national security adviser. Is this career functionary the right person for the job? We feel at greater risk already.

Anyone who thinks Donilon is anything other than a political crony out of his depth needs to look no further than the Washington Post, which reports on its whorunsgov.com Web site that "The Democratic operative worked on his first Democratic National Convention at 24, and he's been helping elect candidates ever since."

The New York Times says Donilon "started not as a foreign policy professional, but as a young political operative for President Carter" and his chief of staff, Hamilton Jordan. He also managed the floor at the Democratic Convention in 1980 and was chief of staff for Clinton Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Yet, somehow, the Times describes Donilon as a "pragmatist, not an ideologue," despite his lengthy party ties. It almost sounds as if it's telling its readers that Donilon's nothing more than an unprincipled man whose ambition has been to reach the political peak.

So how will this lawyer and former Fannie Mae lobbyist who is long on Democratic politics experience and short on foreign and defense policy expertise fare in protecting the country?

What is his vision of a sound national security strategy?

[KoRn]

What a disaster!

[M Kehoe]

I know more Grunts just out of BCT with more national security experience than this boob.

5.56mm

[Liz]

ping

[maggief]

What next? Gorelick as Secretary of Defense?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A52625-2004Sep26?language=printer

[Liz]

Gorelick was also present at the WH BP confab-—as BP’s lawyer.

[maggief]

Is Donilon the source of the Chamber of Commerce attacks?

http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=271181&privcapId=109918&previousCapId=20394693&previousTitle=Crestview%20Partners,%20L.P.

EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Thomas E. Donilon

...

Director
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

[Liz]

Nice catch.