New York District 20 rep John McHugh, currently the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, is apparently being chosen by Barack Obama as his new Secretary of the Army. Fox News says Obama will officially name McHugh to replace current Secretary Pete Geren.
McHugh is another Republican pick for Obama’s defense staff. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates worried Obama supporters because they believed a Republican pick would bolster opinions of Democrats as weak on defense.
UPDATE: remarks from Obama…
“… My administration has increased funding for our military, including the army, and increasing the size of the military two years ahead of schedule.”
That’s gotta sting some Code Pinkers.
“Today I’m proud to announce the distinguished public servant who will help keep us safe, and who will help keep our sacred trust with our soldiers and their familes. The next Secretary of the Army, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, John McHugh.”
<snip>
“… but it is his service over the past 16 years in Congress, as a champion of our men and women in Uniform that uniquely qualifies him to help lead America’s Army.”
<snip>
“John is committed to keeping America’s Army the best-trained, the best-equipped, the best-led land force the world has ever seen.”
And… where the politics come into play…
“Finally, John shares my belief that a sustainable national security strategy must include a bipartisan consensus at home.”
Translation: John is a token Republican who I probably won’t listen to, but at least the media can point to when people claim I’m not being bipartisan.
This, of course, followed by the standard “It’s an honor to be nominated” stuff by McHugh.
Why would this guy take a post
Leopard1996 Tuesday, June 2nd at 3:22PM EDT (link)THat would do nothing more than give Obama cover for his stupidity as it comes to the Army. Obama can’t even mention the two guys at the recruiting office who got capped by was looks like a radicalized Muslim terrorist.
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Because he was widely believed to
Old_Dominion Tuesday, June 2nd at 4:50PM EDT (link)be on the block for being redistricted out of existence. Democrats now run the entire show in Albany.
I can see your point there
Leopard1996 Tuesday, June 2nd at 5:43PM EDT (link)But I guess I can’t expect a principled stand and say leave DC and go the private sector. Then again probably not employable there now.
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Even if Obama never listens to the guy...
randy streu Tuesday, June 2nd at 4:53PM EDT (link)McHugh is somebody I’d definitely rather have in the post than another soldier-hating liberal.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
Good point
Leopard1996 Tuesday, June 2nd at 5:44PM EDT (link)Hopefully he will be listened to, and he isn’t another technocrat like Gates
“The accumluated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save Us!”….and I’ll look down and whisper, “No”…The Watchmen
Good Riddance
wolfgop Thursday, June 4th at 7:39AM EDT (link)As a resident of McHugh’s district, I will not miss him. His updates to constituents merely focused on the pork that he brought back to the district. Plus, Human Events ranked him the fourth biggest RINO in the House (with an ACU score of 40).
For now the district is relatively conservative, so hopefully we can elect a decent replacement. Unfortunately after the redistricting in a couple years, we may lose this one as well.