WILL MATTIS MAKE IT THROUGH? – AT 8:06 A.M. ET:  No nomination made so far by President-elect Trump has met with as much approval as the selection of James Mattis for secretary of defense.  A highly respected retired Marine Corps general, Mattis is just the man to raise the morale of our forces and oversee their expansion. 

But there is a problem.  Under law, Mattis must have been retired from the military for seven years to serve as secretary of defense, unless Congress grants a waiver.  It was done only once, for George Marshall, in 1950.  Now the Dems are threatening to block Mattis, hilariously citing their fear that a waiver would put civilian control of the military at risk.  Right.  Two waivers in 66 years, and we're told we risk a coup.

John McCain is worried that the Dems might succeed, and prevent this outstanding American from serving his country further.  From the Washington Examiner:

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain said Tuesday he is concerned about the looming confirmation process for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who President-elect Trump says he will nominate to become the next secretary of defense.

McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters in the Capitol he is "very worried" about Mattis' confirmation process. Mattis will have to receive a waiver allowing him to serve in a civilian position less than seven years after retiring from the military.

"I'm very worried about it," McCain said when asked about receiving a waiver for Mattis. "We have to work on it."

Mattis left active service in 2013 after concluding his time as commander of Central Command, forcing the need for a waiver. George C. Marshall, who received one in 1950 in order to also become secretary of defense, is the only person to have received one in the past.

"I was active in helping move that process forward as quickly as possible. The Democrats should do the same for us," McCain continued. "And when they don't, and we have to resort to parliamentary action to force them to, then that's disgraceful because we're talking about defending our nation.

COMMENT:  The Dems are in their own world, and national defense is not a major part of it.  If they block Mattis they satisfy their leftist base, but the Trump administration will have the people on its side.

December 8,  2016