Sunday, May 24, 2026

Risky Business

        Indiana Senator Jim Banks has floated Elise Stefanik for the DNI slot being vacated by Tulsi Gabbard.

        She is qualified, has 12 years in the House on major committees and certainly is deserving of a role in the administration.

        But in today's climate this strikes me as a thankless position and the confirmation in the Senate would be brutal. 

      Stefanik is considered too pro Israel so that makes 46 of 47 Democrats NO votes....Cassidy and Tillis and of course Murkowski are iffy....Maybe Collins too. 

       There was a time in Washington when an ardent supporter of Israel was a cinch to get through...But anti Israel sentiment runs high and the way Stefanik roughed up college presidents make her a lightening rod.

       I don't see DNI as a post you come out of politically viable, but who knows....We hear Ms Stefanik was at the Fed Chairmans swearing in on Friday.....Don't know if that's an omen. 

       Another scenario mentioned is she finishes her term and Trump appoints her ambassador to Canada....An easy post not far from home.

 https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5892105-gop-senator-floats-stefanik-to-replace-gabbard-as-dni/

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

It’s not we are anti-Israel. It’s we are anti-Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is actually anti-Benji, so we aren’t alone. We don’t like crooks and war criminals. Just like our forefathers. And I use the term “we” generously.

Anonymous said...

It feels like ages ago when Marco Rubio called Donald Trump a "con artist" on the debate stage.

Now, Rubio does Trump’s bidding. He gutted USAID. He launched a military operation without Congressional approval. He withheld $19 billion in foreign aid for programs that fight famine, treat HIV, and stabilize democracies.
Marco should be deported to Cuba.

Anonymous said...

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Wednesday said he “won’t apologize” for telling a fired Health and Human Services (HHS) employee that he “probably deserved it,” after video footage of the exchange was widely circulated on social media.

Anonymous said...

In what way is she qualified? Because she went to Harvard?

Anonymous said...

Canadians hate us now, and Stefanik is almost as much of a Trump bootlicker as Constantino. Can't picture her accomplishing anything as ambassador to Canada.
The DNI position actually needs someone with experience in that field. Other than being a bench sitter on a committee, she has no experience.

Anonymous said...

Elise is a long time member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Anonymous said...

DNI is the most powerful Intelligence position in the World. It was CIA. CIA is now under DNI. Porter Goss during the George W Bush Presidency was the last CIA Director to head up the Intelligence community.

Anonymous said...

You mean Lack of Intelligence Committee

Anonymous said...

How do you know a Senator dropped her name. more Graham fake news

Anonymous said...

She would definitely meet the qualifications

Anonymous said...

Ya AH, she lacks intelligence that why she graduated from Harvard.

Anonymous said...

Who cares about Canada?

Anonymous said...

We all know now to not trust anyone who went to Harvard.

Anonymous said...

I do, and Rush does, 5:20
And so does Bryan Adams

Anonymous said...

Everyone who understands economics, 5:20.

Anonymous said...

Elsie has zero qualifications to head the DNI.

Truthbout said...

Maybe because Mr. Mayor reads news sources? I think that she would be confirmed by the Senate, but after the way President Trump ignored Tulsi Gabbard and excluded her from high level meetings on Iran and Venezuela, might not be a good position to take under current circumstances. She might end up like Tulsi and end up being ordered to chase down “evidence” that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump might try to trade nominating her if she endorses his boy Constantino though.
Meanwhile, we already have a Trump approved ambassador to Canada, and most of the country hates us - not much of an upside there.
Might be best to sit out this round and see what happens to MAGA if it becomes cleat that Trump becomes a true lame duck.

Anonymous said...

Try asking that of the local tourism businesses that have seen a 25% decline in sales, AH @5:20.
We understand, you still get your welfare check regardless.

Danny M. Francis (Eyepublius) said...

Stefanik for O/DNI the most insane choice she has not an ounce of intel background or intel service or even knowledge of the subordinate 18 agencies the DNI would lead. Poor choice.