I'm sorry but the Dems are ridiculously bad at their Hegspeth questions. IMO, if you want to prove someone is incompetent, you ask them the hardest strategic questions they will have to know to succeed at the job
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(1) Once again, it is demonstrated how weak the Democratic Party is. Decency, morality and education are not concepts that the current “Republicans” know.
(2) These characters must be confronted with courage, energy and even sarcasm, getting them out of their minds and making them constantly look bad in front of everyone for their lack of knowledge and professionalism because they have only been chosen for their loyalty to Trump.
And they did! But HE responded that he doesn't respond to HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS!
My interview to be a teacher was FILLED with HYPOTHETICAL Questions! The man is not fit to be Sec of Defense!
It's a terrible precedent Congress set while they were letting Republicans pack SCOTUS with judges whose main qualification was a confirmed willingness to discard a specific 1970s case.
I don't know exactly. I wish that I knew what they are really trying to do. The obvious christo fascist stuff? But really? It just seems so ludicrous. All of it. I'm baffled and terrified.
Unfortunately, I think you're correct. These positions were bought by loyalty to Trump, not by experience or qualifications for the job. This has failure written all over it.
Correct. Trying to disqualify Hegspeth based on bad character won't work when the senators and their constituents on the right suffer from the same moral deficiencies.
Mark, I've always wanted to ask you a hard hitting question but having spoken to your political aides I've had to tone it down a bit. So please give me your honest opinion, what is your favorite colour?
It’s cynical to say, but it’s little more than theater for (most of) them too. The D’s are performing for their crowd no different than the R’s. The inherent flaw in our system is there’s always an incentive to think about your next primary, first. The wheels roll on.
Maybe you’re not playing close attention. It really dosent matter anyway as all repubs are going to vote for him no matter what questions the dems ask-as they are all afraid of Trump
Republicans have been spewing propaganda for the last 4 years. Dems acted like this stuff was just going to get swept under the rug and the country would get back to business as usual.
Dems should've took the gloves off and got bloody. Instead they became bashful and meek.
Democrats try to fight based on morals and logic. That strategy doesn't work with Neanderthals and power-hungry freaks and cults. You can’t shame them or get them to admit they are wrong.
Gaslighting is a tactic that's served them well until now. Deny, deflect, postpone & don't admit defeat.
Gaslighting is not a long-term strategy. Eventually, even the most power-hungry pipers must play for their supper. And they can't play a single note. That's their Achilles heel.
What's sad is Republicans won't stand up to the Orange Bully. This isn't what they were voted to do. We mustn't forget this when it comes to elections.
So sad to think back to how the media followed the disinformation about BLM marches. That was the uprising. My sweet neighbors went to a violin performance protest and were met with 100s of cops in full military riot gear and now the history is written that it was all violent rioters.
That’s exactly right. These are not normal times & the Democrats know that but they didn’t do anything to change their strategies. Now we’ve probably lost our country.
I agree but most voted based on lies told to them by Trump, GOP in Congress & FOX News, OAN & News Max. I do blame them for refusing to see, hear & accept truths & facts presented to them. They have a very rude awakening coming & then they’ll realize what they’ve done. Some just feel like Trump does
Yeah absolutely. They were buried in lies. Some might have wanted to see the truth but were told "fake news" - might not have known where to turn. Still I won't forgive someone who voted for a rapist, racist, traitor for cheaper eggs. How could they pull the lever for that guy? I'd rather starve.
Democrats. The real enemy is Democrats – i.e. the elites in power. My neighbors are everyday people trying to survive, just like me, and many are sadly & tragically misguided in that pursuit
I didn't say to "absolve" anyone of anything but I'd never consider my neighbors my enemy.
There are many reasons folks vote MAGA. I consider it a wrong choice no matter what. But a general theme is disgust at political elites, and on that we agree✌️
He will be confirmed no matter what. With no republicans willing to stand up for what is right & all of them willing to do what Trump wants, there is literally nothing the Democrats can do to stop it. They need at least 2 or 3 Republicans & they have shown that is never going to happen now.
Trump is controlling the GOPQ with threats, coercion, blackmail and promise of ill gotten gain.
No matter what the Dems do in these hearings, the GOPQ isn't budging on their votes. The GOPQ has been rewarded with power for their bad behavior. They are going to do what they are going to do.
Got that right! All the appointees are going to get in. Just going to depend on how long they last & if they get fired by the Orange one for going against him.
This!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Weak and always playing by the rules are why we are now here. Although I appreciate Biden for his 4 years, I fear his legacy will be tainted with a failure of not protecting our democracy.
Yes, Rethuglicans have no morals, character or backbone! They will vote as demanded by their Orange Savior, no matter what. However, it’s still time for Dems to change the game! Asking strategic questions FOR THE RECORD is better than character questions and really emphasizes he’s not qualified.
I don't know what people really expect Dems to do? We live in an idiocracy, proven by how right-wing voters and a few more went back to the insurrectionist who lives in chaos and lies while so-called GOP leaders kneel before him and abdicate their own oversight roles. We have to live in
It’s hard watching Democrats trying to handle things as if everything is normal. It’s not. I keep thinking of George Washington. He mastered guerrilla warfare tactics to beat the British. The Democrats need to develop “guerrilla warfare tactics” to beat Trump and the Republicans into submission.
The billionaires are in control, it doesn’t matter left vs right. There’s nothing anyone can do. The 1% has always been in charge & always will be. They own the right & left, they own the government & us 99%.
Tim Kaines entire line of questioning about his affairs was naive. We just elected a philandering sex offender to the countries highest office. What makes you think the base gives 1 shit if a cabinet secretary cheated on his wife?
Exactly right. Democrats are going extinct from their Moral High Ground…itz been ineffective for ages & is now ridiculous-embarrassing 👎🏽 The US is a 1-party system so autocracy here we come.
Oddly the same effect happens when a journalist is interviewing someone like Hegseth and then just lets him talk, uninterrupted, for long stretches, followed by some mild 'rebuttal to the point' which is usually edited out of stuff downstream.
Old White males are notoriously assholes. If they cannot clearly see what a moron Trump is then they just need to look in the mirror. Right Jim? Look in the mirror in other words...
Disagree. They're smart, but I do agree about the cheating on your wife questions and focus more on his general knowledge. Not that it would have made any difference.
Yeah, pretty stupid. They act cocky, and have a permanent bitch face. Pretty easy to spot. They put signs in their yards that say they are christian and love their churches. They are uneducated and have no common sense. Truly clueless.
How so? Are they stupid when they legislate for the poor, are they stupid for fighting for the rights of all of us, are they stupid when they fight for workers rights or healthcare. What a stupid thing to say.
Are you kidding me? His incompetence is like a five alarm fire. if you can’t see it, you don’t want to see it. He will be Sec def because Republicans are scared to death of Trump. Democrats did all they could
I agree! Duckworth, Warren were enlightening but...the hearing is not a hearing unless our representative people give us compelling reasons thru their questions! I'm truly dissappointed. It's become normal. Ughhh!
Dems kinda did bring up Hegseth’s White Supremacy and extremist issues when he was questioned about his “Jerusalem Cross” tattoo. He claimed it just represents him being a Christian.
Yea I also don’t care about the friggen tattoos
But he couldn’t answer one nation that was I. ASEAN or how many were members
He offered up 3 but they were all wrong
He’s there bc he will obey trump that’s it
Oh and culture wars bla bla bla
You could have just stopped after your first 8 words
We need an entirely new and better opposition to Republicans. Something strong, something not afraid to fight back. Elected Dems give up too easily and their softball questions are an example of that.
Do you think they're afraid of 45 also? Afraid to sink too low like 45 & his sycophants? Well, sometimes you have to get low down and dirty like them; wallow in the mud until you win. They should have let Jasmine Crockett question him. It would have been all over.
It is horrific for me to imagine that I could do a better job than this guy can. My gun sound effect is “pew pew” and I only wore fashion camo in Alabama during the early aughts. Still, my anxiety and patriotism would have demanded an inordinate amount of cramming before that hearing.
Like any of it matters. This guy couldn’t even locate countries on a map. Competence has nothing to do with it. Loyal to Trump is the only qualification. And he’ll get confirmed.
Who cares if he was unfaithful to his wife I want to know what he would do if he was ordered to shoot protesters and his non answer was enough to disqualify him. But not one Republican will vote against him because of self interests. Spineless assholes. They are giving America to Putin.
A military member can be court-martialed for adultery. Adultery is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and is considered a criminal offense. Just saying. He would be in charge of the entire defense department.
Normally I would not care about that, but infidelity is punishable under the UCMJ and can cause security clearances to be revoked. It’s a weakness that enemies can exploit. The person leading the entire military should be held to that standard.
All I was trying to point out was of all this man’s character flaws cheating on his wife matters less than his inability to unequivocally say he would not open fire on fellow citizens. We are getting hung up on the wrong dangers this man represents. He has innumerable weaknesses.
As a veteran, I feel confident that regardless of the SecDef’s wishes, the military would not open fire on citizens. It’s an unlawful order & one that would have to be made by commanders to their troops. In my experience, that’s not happening. It’s disqualifying sure, but not most concerning to me
You’re missing the point. I’d rather have a person who unequivocally refuses to open fire on fellow Americans and was unfaithful to their spouse than someone who was faithful and refuses to say they would not open fire on fellow Americans.
In Hegseth’s hearing I felt that the senators should have concentrated more on the fact that the man refused to commit to not using lethal force on Americans and not who this deeply flawed man slept with. That’s the point.
He was asked that many times and refused to answer. It shows that under the right circumstances he absolutely would give the order to fire on fellow Americans. Now everyone paying attention knows there is a possibility you’ll be shot for protesting in America now. More authoritarianism.
Really? That’s the least of his character flaws of which he has many. He could be blackmailed on any number of issues. He couldn’t answer no to shooting fellow Americans who were protesting peacefully. Like the peaceful protestors on Jan 6? I really feel like I’m living in an alternate reality.
Then all countries are businesses. It’s semantics. I was proud to call myself an American. I thought I lived in freedom and cherished my country. Now powerful people break the law w/o consequences. The SC is corrupt and greed is the guiding principle behind the ruling class.
Yes it was a lie. The GOP has been a crime syndicate since Reagan’s third most corrupt administration in US history. Now fifth. All republicans are equally to blame. All.
The day for "resistance" was Nov 5th, 2024. The GOP is now in control & that incompetent dotard along w/several others will be confirmed & the U.S. may never recover. It's above us all, now.
I’ve been waiting for the good guys to step up and save the day since 2015. I was hopeful in 2020. Now I live in fear for my kids and grandkids that there is a civil war on the horizon. Republicans refusing to give unfettered aid to California is a line in the sand. Unthinkable before Trump.
That’s why Don the Con put him up for the position. Conman can use compromat to blackmail the Weekend FQX host to do his bidding. Right out of Putin’s playbook.
It’s self evident that republicans asked softball questions. The idea he has to also criticize republicans in his 300 character limit to satisfy you is preposterous.
No one needs to satisfy me, sir. I expressed an opinion, just as you have done here. I don’t back away from my response to what I thought was a superficial complaint by a talented man named Mark Cuban. My post offered my opinion. I do just that, which is why I’m here and not on X.
I think the larger point is why in the world would we compare ourselves to Republicans? Ever. They are execrable in every sense of the word. “We did better than the Republicans,” is not a talking point, it’s an excuse.
Yeah, Cuban's observation is pretty spot on.
Some of the Dems asked good questions, sure. Duckworth was great.
But hounding Hegseth about infidelity is kinda pointless. It's not going to change anyone's vote.
Madame VP Harris, who should be the sworn in next week, is the Queen of Questioning. Should’ve taken a page out of her book. Pointed, methodical questioning like a prosecutor.(since she was one) Still can’t believe the millions of people that didn’t vote putting us here in the 1rst place.😡
Its not even a GOP issue. Shame was overused as a regulatory mechanism in society and quickly lost its value as such. Its been more and more ineffective since they early 2000s, the internet era after that just finished it for good.
We like to play by the rules. Some of us have already learned that there are no longer rules, but we still don’t want to break them. It will take a while for us to figure out a way behind our consciouses. At least many Dems that I know personally feel that way.
The younger generations are waking up to this. We have to start taking what we want, don’t ask nicely. We HAVE to stand up for what is right and stop compromising our freedom for peace.
I do think character matters. He isn’t loyal to his own family. We’re supposed to believe he’ll care about the country? He can be compromised. That is the entire point. This man has to be trusted. 24/7 and he’s a drunk. Markwayne can cheat and drink all he wants. He’s not in charge of the military.
I think they did well, it's just not going to make a difference. I would like to see messaging outside the hearings though and even a hint that they're going to resist The Toddler or that they have a plan.
Not just the messaging war but the delivery of any messaging. It's like they are whispering their objections and arguments against the new regime when HAD THEY properly sounded the right messages well in advance of 2024, we might not be where we are.
Dems need to up their game.One round of questions is insufficient & long overdue rules changes are needed for confirmation investigations &hearings.The transition team & pres-elect should b walled-off from FBI investigations due conflicts of interest & FBI report should b shared w/entire committee.
Tammy Duckworth did that in her question regarding ASEAN. While I didn’t know all of the countries I could name a few. He could not.
He was asked about The Geneva Convention. He said we shouldn’t be bound by it.
Those two things alone are disqualifying.
Seeing those Nazi tattoos made me sick. I did like how he was asked about how he changed his attitude in 31 days. That's a real tell about his character.
And that would have done what exactly? He is unfit on multiple grounds. The story here is the GOP senators making jackasses of themselves & failing the country.
All gop needed to do was convince maga and that is such a simple task. No amount of reasoning that Hegseth doesn’t have the expertise or experience in heading up such a huge agency matters to maga. The gop & gop media have been brainwashing them for years!
Let him blow up on the simple questions. On "hard strategic questions" he could just bloviate since 90% of those on the committee and watching have no idea what the questions even mean.
That was exactly my point as well.
They might as well ask what he orders at McDonald's, and boxers, or briefs. They just want a rubber stamp, and the rest is just for show.
You know this is all just political kabuki theater, right? These hearings are a waste of time. All Trump's nominees will be confirmed, irrespective of what kind of questions Democrats ask.
The Republican chair's refusal to do the usual rounds of questions meant it couldn't be a genuine confirmation hearing. Having the FBI not do a full background check was another big part as well -- and then having the chair refuse to distribute what the FBI did provide to the committee.
She did push him on important points, as many did. But none really questioned his qualifications in terms of knowledge of the world and the U.S. place in it like Duckworth did.
He couldn’t name one country in ASEAN, and in fact, named three that aren’t members. I agree with Mark Cuban on that point
The fix was in from the start. We have failed to get the support of the American peasants to stop the march toward Oligarchy and the implementation of autocracy. !
Thank you! This is ridiculous and lazy for @mcuban.bsky.social. He was wasn’t answering questions period. My only criticism is they should have hammered that he is a blackmail target of the highest order & any soldier with his background would be kicked out of the army.
Requires the person asking the question to actually know what the hardest strategic question they will need to face actually is.
Politicians don’t get their jobs due to executive competence, but from a popularity contest. No wonder they can’t ask the right questions. They don’t know them to ask
But Mark needed to bash the Dems....they asked fine questions. Every question was danced around anyway, so it wouldn't have mattered what questions were asked.
Most of the Dems need a good bashing. They should be tearing these nominees a new one, and ridiculing the ridiculous questions the Repubs pose. Enough institutionalism, this is war.
Yes, in a different timeline, that's what they'd do. In this one, they're afraid. It's all theatre at this point. Go through the motions, appear to be the outraged opposition but end up bending the knee anyway.
I think some questions asked, which were reasonably low level knowledge, indicated he is a toddler unable to swim in the deep end when it comes to competence. But then we should know if he is even a fit and proper person to lead, and alas there is ample evidence suggesting he is not
I don't really agree. It's bad that he doesn't know them, but those aren't tough strategic questions, they are "gotcha" questions. They'll validate one side of politics and provoke at the other.
How he answered these won't have a difference in the outcome, it will just fuel headlines for the month
If I go to a job interview and one of the larger aspects of it is knowing an alternative to Photoshop, and I don't know it that's not a gotcha question.
How he answered shows how willing he is to learn. He had time to look this stuff up. He didn't. He won't. He's not interested.
I don't disagree there were better ways to navigate the answer if you don't know... but knowing ASEAN countries isn't a larger aspect of the job, and learning then isn't hard.
His lack of experience in higher command positions is a key aspect they needed to smash way, wat harder, imo.
They did.
He did the usual right wing trick of pretending that having no experience for a job is a guarantee that they will do the job better than someone with experience.
The MAGA base love it because they live in upside down world. There is nothing anyone can say to get through to them.
Unfortunately, there's also the political element to it. He could answer "I don't recall at this time" and still be confirmed for the position. Historically, the Senate follows the Committee 's assessment, but I think historical precedent isn't a guarantee anymore.
I also dont think *every* senator needs to ask the same types of questions. Asking about his drinking is good! asking about his sexual assaults is good too! Ask about all of it!
Preface this that I have not ever been one, but I know people who were. If you happened to be in Colorado, as an example, and smoked pot. You couldn't get the job.
If you've got a drinking problem and a violent history though... hey you're good.
Hegseth's non-answer was a 'yes, I'd follow an illegal order from Trump to attack American citizens in the U.S.' - and this answer alone should be disqualifying for a Defense Department Secretary.
He got the simplest questions wrong by saying Japan, Australia and the right answers where Burma, Vietnamese, Laos, Philippines , etc. I’m SICK of the bashing of the Democrats. There is NOTHING they could have asked that would change any minds and that he wouldn’t filibuster through w/o answering.
Yes I agree with you! Even with best strategic questions he will be confirmed. And at the same time people accept the incredible statements from Mullin who agrees with Hegseth by justifying it with the love his wife! This is scandalous
In fact it would be a terrible thing to let people know that you actually know about things. Would shame the supreme leader and his not having that at all
It's not about changing GOP senators minds. It matters if Dems can politically damage the GOP in the view of voters. I will wait for the podcast with @alfranken.bsky.social with his "I would have ask" comment.
This is correct. We need to be calling out the Republicans who are the ones in control of installing this pathetic nominee. People attacking the Dems lets them off the hook.
Part of the problem is he doesn’t know what the job entails. They wanted to talk character. No one on the right cares about character. Slept with women while married? So did your boss. He is there to continue a culture war but has no clue what he’s doing.
The questions and answers will have no effect on the outcome. The republican Senators will vote for everyone nominated by Trump. They know they must pass the loyalty test Trump has created by nominating unfit, unqualified morons and deviants.
Yet it was the perfect opportunity to skillfully reveal his prejudices and weaknesses. The Dems generally are just not fighters. Unfortunately, not all of them can be Jamie Raskin.
And what will "skillfully reveal his prejudices and weaknesses" change? We already know enough about that dude to disqualify him from EVER holding any job in gov't yet he will still be confirmed. That hearing was a sham, a farce, and we all know what the outcome is going to be.
For me it speaks to the Dem "eco-system" writ large. They are utterly ill prepared to face the christian nationalist wall they're facing. Utterly. Because the inner conflict is built-in within them. Imo. They cannot respond appropriately to the moment, generally.
What does it matter Mark? We all know he is totally incompetent for the job, but he will be appointed because the repubs have the votes. This whole confirmation hearing is a sham.
Fair point, but it seems they were shooting for baseline, and they’re going to get swamped by the fifth column. We have so many rational arguments, but we’re not in a rational time, so it feels like Dems are just trying to make that plain, even though history will get fed into the furnace anyway.
Exactly. He and all his buddies only know how to deflect, stall and reply with answers which have no bearing on the questions.
Its the Trump school of gaslighting your way through it.
Right? All the whining over these hearings is bonkers. All the Dems can do, being the minority party, is put stuff on record and make voting for them as untenable as possible. These hearings last 30 min. And Dems get half? No time for detailed oppositional 30 part questions.
To learn Hegseth didn't meet with ANY Democrat Senator with the exception of Ranking Member Jack Reed (D) was disgusting. Did not even meet with them? And Senators were blocked by the Felon from reading FBI background report on Hegseth? WTF!
Are they not allowed to criticize? I understand that as a wealthy individual he comes with his own set of motives, but the critique itself is just that...an opinion, frankly Dems need more pressure to be better, they dropped the ball and the next 4 years is only going to be worse
So I'm confused with your initial comment about him bashing Dems , do you mind explaining? Are you saying he shouldn't bash Dems? Or that he has ulterior motives bashing Dems? Are you saying it's hypocritical?
If we want to defeat Trumpism we need our elected officials to do better. Our country is losing to Trumpism in part due to the inability of the Dem party to fight it.
I do agree with the sentiment that none should ever, ever take a billionaire at face value, and I bet even billionaires would agree. They're too steeped on profit making, why else do you never see billionaires stepping up at the risk of their portfolios? They won't save us, only we can.
That is exactly what I'm talking about. And while he definitely won't save us, he has the numbers and the power to ruin our Blue skies. That is what concerns me.
I watched Brian Tyler Cohen's coverage of it and was very surprised how many suck ups there are on the right and I thought the dems did a good job of asking actual questions
This criticism of Democrats is so beside the point. There is nothing they can do to stop Hegseth's nomination. Pretending that things would be different if only some Democratic Senators asked different questions is an exercise is willful denial.
If and when Hegseth does a crap job, that can certainly be used against GOP Senators in '26 and '28, but the idea that asking somewhat better questions now will make those attacks materially stronger in two or four years is silly, unnecessary and unhelpful self-flagellation for Democrats.
I think he will be a weak Secretary of Defense, and that's what Trump wants -- someone pliable who owes his position to Trump, is not a threat to Trump, and will do what Trump wants him to do.
Exactly. Cuban is doing EXACTLY the thing that helps the gop. Taking the focus off of how cowardly and bootlicking the gop has become. Really disappointed in this man today.
And why no pushback against the Republican Senators? They asked about push ups and what he admires about his wife. Not a serious question from any of them. But yeah, blame it all on the Dems.
Maybe we should have talked about Arnold palmers dick? Different standards for different parties? This lame ass weasel will be the death of our country maybe civilization. And you genius complain about democrats.
Exactly!! So fucking stupid! It’s just like everything else! Started with the debate! Biden has a cold, yet told the truth while the felon lied 100% of the time, yet Biden should leave the race! Biden makes substantial changes and contributions to this country & FOTUS gives us more rapists, &felons!
Mark, they could have asked him to solve the kobayashi maru. It wouldn’t have mattered. The threat of being primaries keeps them all in line. Each one of these senators isn’t just choosing party over country, they care more about their career than anything else.
I think they did an excellent job. And you’re right, wouldn’t have mattered because he would only get defensive and talk over them, using up their time. Interesting tactic🤨. Plus he chose not to talk privately with Dem senators what more could they have done?
The fact he did no research and made it obvious shows how arrogant and unserious a candidate he is. We are going to lose a war to Greenland with this jackass as Secretary of Defense.
As did Senator Kaine & a couple of others. Hegseth's smarmy evasion of questions & lack of respect in talking over ppl was particularly vile.
This constant Dem bashing of everything they do is getting played out. It's exhausting.
I am trying to convince anyone with a bigger platform on the left to talk to me in order to have a very important discussion about what the right wing,potentially foreign actors are doing on YT.Sadly my success rate is 0,which sucks cause I have a bad feeling after 20th Jan we will not get much help
Would he answer strategic questions or say he doesn’t want to give info to adversaries?
Everyone knows he’s incompetent. it’s no question. If stumbling, senators help him. They asked Kavanaugh fair questions. He lied. These are rigged before the hearing. If votes not there before they punt.
The Senator from (not sure, MI, HI) was doing pretty good at making him look like himself (incompetent, unprepared), asking about the members of ASEAN.
They did!!! GOP is ignoring everything and walking in lockstep. We are so done. I cannot believe that we didn’t make sure he could not run for office. That was our only window to prevent all of this
GOP has spent over $10 million dollars on ads promoting Hegseth nomination in States with GOP Senators who were on the fence, like in Iowa and Ernst. She risked her life for our country, but NOW she can't even risk her seat for our country.
It is a self-congratulatory attempt to occupy the moral high ground while the ship they are sailing on is sinking. At least they will feel good about themselves when they sink to the bottom of the ocean of relevance.
One thing I’ve noticed about the billionaire Mark Cuban is he pretends to be here backing Dems when in reality he’s always bashing the Dems, but in a way some people don’t get what he’s doing.
Yup. Billionaire by definition = sociopathic thief. Nobody needs that much. Nobody has "earned" that much. It's an obscene late stage capitalism creation.
I believe it’s not the right against the left, it’s the obscenely wealthy against the rest of us. I pay a higher % of my wages in taxes than he does.I pay S.S. the whole year he already stopped this first month.The system games me and the rest of the 98%. The greed is sickening!
To be fair, he botched the softballs because every part of him is disqualifying for THIS job. The onus isn’t on dems to test him, he refused to answer even the most basic questions, the challenging ones would be a waste of time and they knew it.
No one this unqualified should have made it this far
Exactly. Everyone knows about him being beyond problematic and they don't care. Hit THEM where it's embarrassing...that he's stupid, they are stupid & how woefully unqualified he is.
Absolutely...to the non traitorous, able minded don't want to gut the country people. He's most likely going to make it in because of the bended knee facists so I want it on record how unqualified he is besides the personal issues that should have been a no brainer.
Yes. And keep it basic. Simple things that seem obvious. Show his idiocy in a way that even the idiots can’t defend or ignore. Duckworth did a decent job.
Of course she was mad. She's a combat veteran who knows our military deserves a qualified leader who knows what he's doing. And she asked plenty of questions, he just couldn't answer them and kept deflecting. Him being unqualified isn't her personal opinion, it's a fact.
I believe they were trying to prove that he didn't meet the minimum standards of being hired for any position that requires a level of trust. If his character was lacking, it didn't matter how he answered any other question. However, your point is well-taken. Hopefully, they will learn from this.
None of them have any spines, morals or ethics. And the assholes has that evil grin on his face. Fuck i guess general illy is the only one who can prevent an absolute catastrophe.
Like name one country that’s part of ASEAN? I think Senator Duckworth covered that one. How about if he would follow an illegal order? That was asked too.
Oh hell no. Mark just appears rational because he is charismatic. But so was Jim Jones. Don't be fooled...he's telling us who he is, while he's bashing the Dems. and saying MAGAs belong on Bluesky.
Yes! someone should have spent the full 7 min discussing the South China Sea and ASEAN with him, or how to deal with Shiites vs Sunnis antagonism on ME politics, or the impact of climate change & econ migrants on security, or the fallout of the loss of undersea cables in the Baltic is on NATO, etc.
Who was it last Trump term on TV who had the big board of photos of all the officials who had come and gone from his admin? Maddow? Before Trump started w 'acting' appts...
Dems are largely incompetent too! They dgaf about the confirmations either. They are more interested in character assignation than exposing how little he knows about the role he's interviewing for. They couldn't even be bothered to ask previous sec defs for good strategic questions utter failures.
That assumes intellectual honesty from Republicans and having the answers actually matter. These questions are like the questions attorneys ask, knowing they’ll be struck down on objection: once the question has been asked, intelligent people will draw conclusions from the poor quality of the answer
They're bad on purpose.... ?? Why so shocked? Are you just now learning that the Democrats are complicit in this takeover? Did you not see what Nancy did to AOC?
Why would you (anyone) think for one second that the DEMS are a good (effective) defense line??
Frankly I don't care about political parties. I want to know if a person is intelligent, cares about human and animal lives, and has proven that! Anything else is a sham!
In 2019, Pelosi was criticized for her comments about the “Squad,” a group of progressive congresswomen that includes AOC, suggesting that they should not be the face of the Democratic Party. AOC, in turn, has advocated for a more inclusive and progressive agenda,
Hegspeth isn’t the only incompetent one at his hearing. Dems pretend they’re meek but you don’t become or stay an elected official by being nice. Half of senators are lawyers, so not exactly paragons of morality or docility.
They know how to fight. They’re choosing not to. It’s all a game.
That was done, and done well, while Hegseth lied, obfuscated, & talking-pointed his way thru it, finally admitting that even against the Constitution, he will do what DRUMPF wants him to!! And just wait 'til u see how it all turns out! 😱
Agree, but am more concerned about the Republicans giving Hegseth a free pass even though he’s unqualified. Would love to know why Sen. Ernst changed her mind.
Bc they strong armed her like they do everyone else. When I heard she was on the fence i didn’t feel it would gain any traction. They ALWAYS wind up voting for their ppl.
And some of those answers, would explain exactly why President Carter was so maligned, while in office, by his fellow politicians. High moral standards, and the ability to tell, and hear the truth will result in you being hated by those who want to manipulate, and use you.
Mark is correct! Everyone knows Hegspeth is a trump jr in terms of being a serial cheater. Nail him on matters of grave importance to our national security. Show how unqualified and inept he is.
I think the profound reasons why he is unqualified are obvious without requiring any questions. Republicans are going to vote him in regardless b/c they love what he does stand for. To paraphrase James Carville, “It’s the racism and misogyny, stupid!”
But all those Repubs already know he’s incompetent. They don’t care. And a bad answer to a tough question would not be covered by media without the usual equivocation or understood by most of the public. Agree they’re good questions just doubt that the wrong answers would change minds.
i dunno. if the questions had been specific to the nature of the job he would have sputtered. at least he would have shown his ignorance by the nature of his evasion.
We don't know if it would have or not, but it was worth a try... it may have possibly swayed the decisions of two/three Republicans who take this matter seriously, especially as it pertains to the protection & defense of the country.
Republican made statements to assure the public that this position is just a figurehead. His subordinates are the people that need knowledge and expertise to run the department. Scary stuff.
Pam Bondi is doing the dance right now in the Democrats have no idea what the F to do she’s filibustering she won’t see if Trump won or lost the election
Dems think they’re so clever with their predetermined talking points. They play to Dem voters. But they should be acting like it’s a real interview and ask real questions. Are they equally non competent?
That’s because Democrats as so desperately reliant on norms and tradition….3 elections and 8 years after Trump first ran, they are STILL trying to “win” or “prove a point” by highlighting hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy…it’s like trying to get a priest fired by uncovering a molestation… it’s expected
So you didn’t see a single female Democratic Senator holding the fire to his nuts??? Warren, Slotkin, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Shaheen, Hirino, Rosen? Not a single one impressed you?
They wanted to display his (lack of) character and moral fiber, which they did. That doesn’t leave much time to work out his (lack of) experience in running anything larger than a pretzel stand and his zero understanding of the 21st Century challenges he will face.
I get it but Trump displays the same lack of character and the same lack of experience (he ran an 8 person “corporation” into the ground 6 times) and he’s going to be President (again) next week. Effective questions aren’t enough to combat the corruption.
No, they really didn’t. Neither did the men. And Hegseth should’ve been a layup. Democrats are just terrible at optics and don’t seem to see how important they are nowadays.
You are apparently unaware of the level of corruption in the incoming administration. No amount of “effectiveness” will combat the fire hose of lies and disinformation. Best the Dems can do is what they did. All nominees will be confirmed. Will they last a full term? 🍿
You may be right about it being a losing battle but that’s not the best the Dems can do. Leadership needs to make optics a priority because that is what is swaying voters. If they’re not up to it, then leadership needs to change.
I am not convinced that the electorate is engaged. Too many are seeking entertainment rather than information. You can’t “make” people care, regardless of how well you communicate. It’s sad and infuriating.
People care when it effects them and that’s when they look for somebody to blame. Republicans are masters of giving them someone to blame. Then the Dems look like a bunch of stuffy doofuses trying to explain their way out of it.
The women did great. For the last 4 years the r's have been wanting them controlled and out of men's jobs. Repubs know women are smarter. Afraid women will take their jobs. And the should, they'd be much better at it. Esp men in congress. Kiss-asses. Dem women don't do that. They're not afraid.
Didn't watch the whole thing, but the Senators you listed there all did a pretty good job. I especially appreciated Duckworth's questioning. Would have liked to see more of that (i.e nuanced questions about NATO countries, NATO alliance military leadership, etc).
Female senators did great and treated him like the criminal he is by strategically and successfully baiting him to admit in so many words on the record he is a violent misogynistic predator. Women’s Rights attorneys who will find victims with standing in their state are rejoicing. DOJ worthless
I agree they held fire, but it would have been more productive if they left the affair stuff out of it. HOWEVER…most of the members of our military or anyone seeking top security clearance could not get it if they had confirmed affairs.
They made it about his character and gender identity issues, neither of which will change any Republicans’ minds. They were pandering to their base, not appealing to those who could actually sway the vote. Mark understands the audience.
Notcapping for @mcuban.bsky.social but it feels as though he's suggesting the questing from Dems could have been shaped to more effectively show how unqualified Hesgeth is for the role. He gave credit where it was due:
That certainly may be the case and I have no issues with acknowledging that. As I mentioned I only saw some of the the clips and I noticed Cuban specifically mentioned how poignant Duckworth's questioning was. I think asking Hegseth about the US's potential rivals/adversaries along with questions /1
About how he'd actually go about performing the tasks of the role of protecting the US might have been a better way of showing his inability to do the job than some of the character questions asked. As we've seen, poor character isn't a reason to not confirm someone. /2
To add, it doesn't appear that Hesgeth is qualified for the role but I think the point is that part of politics is "the show" and while facts/experience are important, sometimes the showmanship is needed to drive the point home.
Not saying speaking for anyone or saying I'm right. Just my 2 cents.
I agree. They asked good questions but there were no questions asked with methodological precision to show how extremely unqualified he was for this specific position. No questions on procedure or specific directives. This is for Secretary of Defense not store manager at Walmart.
Nothing in these hearings will change any senatorial minds. The only hope is to get some public outrage, which means there have to be incidents that get posted on the networks ("Newsworks"?) : youtube, insta, bluesky, TikTok, facebook. It's all theater.
Yes they did. But it's kind of too late. These nominees have the votes bcuz of the election- this heat should have been coming for a long time, well before the 2024 election. The democrats simple lost the plot.
Agreed. There were moments when I thought maybe he was actually competent. For context though I was in a doctors office prepping for a colonoscopy with no sounds and could only read the close caption. So I wasn’t super focused
Dems are milquetoast. They don't know how to attack. That's just one reason they lost in 2024, and will continue to do so in the face of a fascist movement and leader. They still act as though there's a remaining shred of integrity and honestly left in Republican circles. Dems, get over it! Go low!
As horrible as this sounds, the only way this will change is when the results are so fantastically disturbing and bad for our country, will the pendulum shift back. Watch "Triumph Of The Will" 1930's movie. You know, the hitler parade/rally. Everyone was so happy and hopeful. The big dream.
So, you blame the Dems to why Trump won? If you do, do you realize that you're saying that the Dems are the ones responsible for the loss of our democracy and the incoming arrival of fascism? I find that to be messed up.
Oh no! I didn't say that. Dems bear some responsibility over the years, though. (e.g. Obama failed to prosecute bankers in 2008.) Weak on the attack, the language American voters understand, especially the MAGATS you're trying to turn away from tRump. No, ALL America is responsible for tRump.
This is what happens when you hold billionaires in such high regard. Billionaires are billionaires because they found a way to profit from someone else’s work.
My feeling, exactly. Some questioning about his past marital and extramarital affairs, etc., are fine, but it’s not helpful to focus on these things too much because this is all old stuff for Americans now. Should focus more on his lack of knowledge and experience to qualify him to head DoD.
Exactly. Give me answers to specifics. But he has very little military experience and was only a media personality. In fact, he should be disqualified, because you cannot even join the military as a recruit with his record.
Elissa Slotkin also asked good questions. And Mr. Cuban, with all due respect, questions regarding character for this or any of these positions is crucial.
Does it even matter? ReTHUGlicans have control of it all. We have a king now who’s above the law. It’s a shitshow to be and half this country is loving it
True. But really the clown act isn't going to get anywhere. They are so busy trying to out do each other. They will just spin around the swamp trying to get attention in way possible. It is like a bunch of piglets in a pin trying to get some food.
Democrats can't ask those questions bcuz they dont know the 1st thing about being a competent leader. They r not even qullalified to be senators. So they stick to the smear campaigns bringing up Pete's children & false accusations. Hegseth will be confirmed like the rest of Trump's appointees will.
Right, until Dems realize that integrity and convictions really don’t count and they unite behind a leader with the brains of a tomato seed, they won’t get the approval of MAGAs like you.
U R so right. They dont count when the conviction is obvious lawfare by a kangaroo court to obstruct a general election & will be overturned on appeal. Your days of calling the POTUS a felon are numbered lib. but listen up... convictions are coming. Voters demand it & TRUMP was elected to do it.
Of course they are - they aren’t trying to prove him incompetent - they are trying to smear his reputation and take things that many of them are guilty of and put it on him - they should be ashamed of themselves
Again - go fuck yourself - I really don’t care whether you like Pete heheh or not - we had to put up with Biden’s ridiculous cabinet - now sit back and shut up and stop being a poor loser - Trump won and he will get his cabinet set the way he wants regardless of the democrats pretending that none
Of them have been drunk on the job - gone to strip clubs or cheated on their spouses - typical - you are all a bunch of hypocrites just full Of yourselves - like it or not - he has the votes to be confirmed - this is just grandstanding and political theater
What are you even talking about - I don’t hate anyone except one of my kids teachers and one of the principals in their school - stop projecting your shit into me - if you don’t like what I said go away
You don't get to chase us away here. You come onto someone else's convo to defend a pig then tell US to fuck off and go away? Lolz. Sending a prayer to your kids. Be blessed.
No one had ‘to smear his reputation’. He did that by himself. His ‘Lord and Saviour’ incantations only made it worse. All the ‘fuck you’s’ In the world can’t diminish the damage that has done by MAGAs, like yourself, without a mirror.
What “damage” do you think was caused by MAGA and not from the members of Congress for the past 50 years - grow up - stop being a sore loser - shut up and sit down and let these people do their jobs OUR GOVERNMENT IS CORRUPT - THEY HAVE BEEN LAUNDERING TAX DOLLARS FOR DECADES
THEY ‘pretend that they are better than others’ is the lame, overused excuse of the Right when they run out of arguments as to why one of their own is not looking so good.
You obviously didn’t watch the pathetic grand standing - go away - he already knows he has the votes to be confirmed - it has nothing to do with”the right” - I don’t like it when “they” do it either - so YOU are incorrect AND YOU are a sore loser
You do not know me - maybe everyone here should grow the fuck ip and stop pretending like you have all the fucking answers - the first thing every one of you do is insult - are you going to pretend that no one in Congress has been drunk or cheated on their spouses - they are not the ones to stand
Joni Ernst failed in one of her most important moments - there is no excuse other than bribery and corruption - what a sad day for both her, and the GOP generally. Hegseth is a lying circus clown, no doubt traumatised by his service. He has no place in power and responsibility.
In supporting Hegseth, Ernst has turned her back on her own sexual abuse and her military service. What a pathetic example for other women. She has chosen the path of supporting other sexual abusers, and pissed on her supporters.
Castrating animals on her family farm is how Joni Ernst campaigned showing she was tough yet was so gentle petting Hegseth, thus she has come a long way in the wrong direction.
Does she actually respect him? How will she rest knowing he is over our daughters/sons/mothers/fathers now serving?
Easy questions stumped him! We know he's incompetent, and so does he, they all know it, not just the democrats. "How many push ups did you do today?" WTF was that about? He was like, combat soldier, standards, lethality, like Rudy was w/9-11! 🙄🙄🙄 He destroyed the courts 1x, DoD, DoJ this time!
Yep. But again, Slotkin is a woman, so…. No one effing listens to us, and they wonder why we are where we are. They’re ignoring half the population in every which way. Every way they can.
It’s why I stress the term “HALF THE POPULATION” because when you say women or misogyny, your posts will be ignored. This society does not care about women. Example: Can you imagine ignoring half the population? Can you imagine ignoring women?
This is exactly why it will always be monumentally difficult to get a woman elected as President. Men know exactly how most other men think, and don't care. It's much more difficult to entice a woman to abandon her morals, with a trinket, as we've been rejecting those offers since we were kids.
Comments
My interview to be a teacher was FILLED with HYPOTHETICAL Questions! The man is not fit to be Sec of Defense!
Don’t overthink it..
Dems should've took the gloves off and got bloody. Instead they became bashful and meek.
Gaslighting is not a long-term strategy. Eventually, even the most power-hungry pipers must play for their supper. And they can't play a single note. That's their Achilles heel.
Like a lot of people, myself included, she thought there was an element of decency within them that would make them see the error of their ways.
They hate us and don't care what we say. That's why they elected a guy filled with vengance...
Ending apathy.
Doubt either will happen. Too many distractions.
Some Democrats may have had a bad strategy - but remember who the real enemy is.
I'm guessing your neighbors have a working car - a full table at Thanksgiving - probably the new xbox? Sound about right?
And they voted for Trump because they need...?
I didn't say to "absolve" anyone of anything but I'd never consider my neighbors my enemy.
There are many reasons folks vote MAGA. I consider it a wrong choice no matter what. But a general theme is disgust at political elites, and on that we agree✌️
What delusional world do you all live in??
No matter what the Dems do in these hearings, the GOPQ isn't budging on their votes. The GOPQ has been rewarded with power for their bad behavior. They are going to do what they are going to do.
They are puppets
We are here now cause white people in media
Everyone is getting confirmed no matter what.
Spoiler: They don't
The whole horse and pony show is pointless.
Oddly the same effect happens when a journalist is interviewing someone like Hegseth and then just lets him talk, uninterrupted, for long stretches, followed by some mild 'rebuttal to the point' which is usually edited out of stuff downstream.
even he acknowledged that much by the relief he expressed once her time expired
FDC!
Change is coming!
But he couldn’t answer one nation that was I. ASEAN or how many were members
He offered up 3 but they were all wrong
He’s there bc he will obey trump that’s it
Oh and culture wars bla bla bla
We need an entirely new and better opposition to Republicans. Something strong, something not afraid to fight back. Elected Dems give up too easily and their softball questions are an example of that.
I dont care which side of the aisle they’re on. Personal attacks go nowhere.
The point is pretty clear.
It's a business.
Your post tried to make a point, but it went soft on logic. You can do better. I’ve seen you do it. Try this one again.
Hope you have a great day 💙
Only the Democrats have agency and responsibility for what they do.
Nobody is expecting the Republicans to do anything of substance. Cuban's post does not insuate the Repubs did anything at all.
His message is not quite focused as he intends
Not a single Republican was expected to ask a hard question.
Is he fucking kidding?
Done here…over and out
Some of the Dems asked good questions, sure. Duckworth was great.
But hounding Hegseth about infidelity is kinda pointless. It's not going to change anyone's vote.
We are losing the messaging war and the Dems still don't know there was a messaging war.
No one is challenging them!
Media isn't. Dems aren't.
It's just us out here.
Which is fine. But we're talking about degrees/types of attacks.
They actually think shame still matters haha.
Shame is basically irrelevant now.
The Left has to learn how to exploit loopholes, but most importantly, how to counter the steady stream of blatant lies coming from the Right.
Attack back!
Why don't you guys ever put pressure on Republicans to do better?
He was asked about The Geneva Convention. He said we shouldn’t be bound by it.
Those two things alone are disqualifying.
He was an infantry soldier, Ivy League scholar, veterans advocate, and military analyst .. just to start, and that alone is more than enough.
JFC what a joke.
They might as well ask what he orders at McDonald's, and boxers, or briefs. They just want a rubber stamp, and the rest is just for show.
Anonymous smear …
He couldn’t name one country in ASEAN, and in fact, named three that aren’t members. I agree with Mark Cuban on that point
I think they all did well for a confirmation hearing. Some good soundbites too.
He dodged, punted, gaslit, talked over her, etc. What a tragically unqualified jerk.
Politicians don’t get their jobs due to executive competence, but from a popularity contest. No wonder they can’t ask the right questions. They don’t know them to ask
He got the first wrong and didn't answer the second.
The questions don't matter to 98.6% of the people voting. The questions aren't the problem.
How he answered these won't have a difference in the outcome, it will just fuel headlines for the month
How he answered shows how willing he is to learn. He had time to look this stuff up. He didn't. He won't. He's not interested.
His lack of experience in higher command positions is a key aspect they needed to smash way, wat harder, imo.
He did the usual right wing trick of pretending that having no experience for a job is a guarantee that they will do the job better than someone with experience.
The MAGA base love it because they live in upside down world. There is nothing anyone can say to get through to them.
If you've got a drinking problem and a violent history though... hey you're good.
Its the Trump school of gaslighting your way through it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI-KeFVBxMI
But not worth fighting over. If you don't want a conversation that's obviously ok. Have a good one
Strong wolf in sheeps clothing vibes
@repjasmine.bsky.social @katieporteroc.bsky.social @aoc.bsky.social
These ppl are so unserious about these positions
This constant Dem bashing of everything they do is getting played out. It's exhausting.
Everyone knows he’s incompetent. it’s no question. If stumbling, senators help him. They asked Kavanaugh fair questions. He lied. These are rigged before the hearing. If votes not there before they punt.
their ability. Maybe the democrats should have pressed that concern. His lack of qualifications.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegseth-concerned-veterans-for-america-jessie-jane-duff/
No one this unqualified should have made it this far
TAMMY DUCKWORTH
Believe you because you said somebody said it!
https://www.pathrise.com/guides/tesla-interview-questions/
Why would you (anyone) think for one second that the DEMS are a good (effective) defense line??
They know how to fight. They’re choosing not to. It’s all a game.
Questions about Force size was good but should have asked about Pentagon issues
Tammi was on fire. I don't know what this guy is talking about.
Knocked her off her intellectual high horse .. 😆
Periodt.
https://bsky.app/profile/mcuban.bsky.social/post/3lfrzcrkdj22w
That said I only watched clips and could be wrong.
I guess I was expecting more questioning on how he'd go about doing the actual job and his thoughts on defense policies, etc.
Not saying speaking for anyone or saying I'm right. Just my 2 cents.
*snark
Show the country how ridiculously unqualified he is.
No one cares about his sex life.
He’s a mediocre white dude on Fox who’s said and done some terrible things and is at least KKK adjacent.
Anyone who has even a lick of honesty knows he’s not qualified in the slightest.
Now run along and go back to your bootlicking.
Does she actually respect him? How will she rest knowing he is over our daughters/sons/mothers/fathers now serving?
Like dude exhibiting idiocy?
You can take the rest of the day off with full pay.
Then votes for a gameshow host TWICE over a female candidate.
1.) Former soldier
2.) Worked under Trump and Biden
3.) Worked under Carl Levin in Senate
She knows her shit. So glad she beat Mike Rogers this past election