Refers to the first person in Trump's second term who is nominated, confirmed by the Senate, and appointed to the post, or who receives a recess appointment.
I may push the close date back if needed.
Another related question: which anonymous accusers will come forward publicly? https://manifold.markets/jb456/which-currently-anonymous-pete-hegs
@thomas_baes Ernst, Thune and Murkowski have changed their tone in the last couple of hours. Only need one more.
@parhizj The comparison with Rumsfeld in terms of qualifications seems a little misplaced. Rumsfeld had served several terms in Congress, had several different high-level positions in the Nixon and Ford administrations. He had a lot of legislative, executive, and foreign policy experience before he became SecDef.
@jb456 I did say arguably. How much of that experience was related to actual strategic/foreign policy though? (From skimming his background it was mostly domestic & economic policy?)
@parhizj Fair enough. In answer about how much of Rumsfeld's experience was strategic/foreign policy, seems like the two main things are being chief of staff, and then before that he was US representative to NATO. Seems like he was also somewhat active on foreign/defense policy in Congress.
@jb456 After thinking about it more, it does seem you are right. Pete is less qualified than even Rumsfeld was originally (those positions Rumsfeld held as chief of staff and nato rep amount to less than 3 years so it’s something but not a huge amount of experience, but maybe Rumsfeld’s time in congress taken together amounts to relatively more substantial experience serving on some relevant subcommittees).