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Jim Mattis, Marine legend who became Trump's 'Mad Dog' Pentagon chief, prepares for media blitz
The Washington Examiner ^ | September 01, 2019 09:26 AM | Russ Read

Posted on 09/01/2019 9:26:56 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

While famously media shy during his time in government, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis offered a brief glimpse into his thoughts on today’s political environment in an essay and interview last week, but the appearance left several questions unanswered.

These rare media appearances are not random, as Mattis will be appearing at several events in the coming days to promote his new book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. The two pieces delve into why the former Marine Corps general chose to serve as secretary of defense and why he resigned. There are some new details about the journey, but his thoughts on several key points remain unclear. One common theme is his desire to stay above the fray when it comes to politics.

“He felt as a Marine, when he was asked to serve the country there was no question he was going to serve. Period. He felt he was capable of doing it and it never occurred to him to say no,” Bing West, Mattis’ co-author, told the Washington Examiner. “He was asked by the commander in chief to do a mission, he said I’m going to do the mission.”

But Mattis resigned less than two years later, citing policy differences with President Trump. “I had no choice but to leave,” Mattis told the Atlantic.

According to his resignation letter, Mattis left due to concerns regarding the administration’s relationship with key military allies. While he does not accuse Trump of disregarding them outright, he did say the president has “the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mattis; mattisbook
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1 posted on 09/01/2019 9:26:56 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

To undermine Trump.


2 posted on 09/01/2019 9:29:02 AM PDT by conservative98
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
I look for a campaign that vilifies the President from every breath Mattis takes.
3 posted on 09/01/2019 9:29:59 AM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I think we need to start a list of scum-sucking backstabbers:

1. McCain
2. Romney
3. Ryan
4. OmaRosa
5. Preibus ?
5. Cohen
6. Scaramucci
7. Mattis

Please feel free to add your choices.


4 posted on 09/01/2019 9:38:14 AM PDT by ryderann
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Simply put, government is full of people who have invested their lives in achieving personal ‘stature’ through government. Those are precisely the types of people who should NEVER be in government.

I have zero doubt that the military, like so many other venues in society, is NOT a meritocracy, and those people who actually make our military successful are the ones we never hear about. Those who climb the ladder have to be political. It’s required. Thus, this group will inevitably include way too many posers who have no business ever being in positions of power. I don’t know much about Mattis, but if he is against Trump, particularly at this point in world history, then he most definitely is NOT a patriot - no matter how many decorations are on his uniform.


5 posted on 09/01/2019 9:39:34 AM PDT by neverevergiveup
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Something about Mattis always struck me as odd. What he does doesn’t make my feeling change.

His first flawed action is that he did not support the President on the tranny declaration.


6 posted on 09/01/2019 9:40:04 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (We are governed by the consent of the governed and we are fools for allowing it.)
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To: ryderann

When it comes to executive hires, President Trump appears to be a bad judge of character.


7 posted on 09/01/2019 9:40:15 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler (This Space For Rant)
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To: Sequoyah101

Oddly enough, it was a radical leftist radio host in my area who summed up Mattis perfectly when he was first nominated: “I think anyone who has a nickname like ‘Mad Dog’ is probably a fraud and a wimp. I’m more scared of the guy who has NO nickname.”


8 posted on 09/01/2019 9:44:16 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." -- Frederick Douglass)
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To: Jeff Chandler
If you had questioned Trump’s hiring of Mattis at the time, you might have been banned from this website.

I’m just sayin’ ...

9 posted on 09/01/2019 9:46:14 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." -- Frederick Douglass)
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To: Alberta's Child

so true


10 posted on 09/01/2019 9:49:16 AM PDT by uncbob
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To: conservative98
regarding the administration’s relationship with key military allies.

IIRC Bismark famously noted that in every treaty there is the question who is the horse and who is the rider.

Trump reflects the views of those of us who believe we have let our allies ride us too long and too hard. It's our turn.

11 posted on 09/01/2019 10:00:15 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Alberta's Child

I did question it, but not here. Mattis’ involvement in Theranos was enough to disqualify him in my opinion. At the time I thought General Kelly should have been given the job.


12 posted on 09/01/2019 10:02:40 AM PDT by The Unknown Republican
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To: ryderann

Westerhout


13 posted on 09/01/2019 10:05:22 AM PDT by Lopeover (We Are #TRUMPSTRONG)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

A New World Order sycophant.


14 posted on 09/01/2019 10:07:18 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here Of Citizen Parents_Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: Sequoyah101

I think that Mattis wanted to handle the Syrian crisis with ISIS to ensure a two year war. What was telling was the President’s visit with the officers who said they could end it quicker. Mattis wanted a continued fund raiser.


15 posted on 09/01/2019 10:08:29 AM PDT by Lopeover (We Are #TRUMPSTRONG)
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To: Sequoyah101

All of the flag officers that saluted the transgenderizing of our military are suspect, imho.


16 posted on 09/01/2019 10:08:59 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here Of Citizen Parents_Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

What policy differences? The ones in opposition to democrat policy positions Mattis is being paid or extorted to support?


17 posted on 09/01/2019 10:11:14 AM PDT by Eddie01
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To: Alberta's Child

You’re right.


18 posted on 09/01/2019 10:13:07 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler (This Space For Rant)
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To: Jeff Chandler

You try it Jeff?

Trump walked into the deep state swamp.

His second term will be far better.


19 posted on 09/01/2019 10:13:52 AM PDT by Eddie01
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

No choice but to leave.

Well done. Marine. I guess. Putz.

I guess Duty Honor Country is out too.

His Marines is non-existent for the most part today, but not their history.


20 posted on 09/01/2019 10:15:58 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi - Monthly Donors Rock!!!)
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