You try to swat them apart, but there are too many, like when you’re attacked by a cluster of irate bees. Immediately, you’re overwhelmed.
That’s what the drip-drip-drip of anonymously sourced strike reports feels like when you’re in the middle of a media storm. And then Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News temperament, is being brutalized in the press. His choice for secretary of defense is in the compromise.
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Hegseth’s recent PR trajectory is unpleasant. Now, the Wall Street Journal claimed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been tapped as his substitute.
If Hegseth is forced to withdraw ( or is John Tower’d by the Senate ), it will dramatically change the narrative of the incoming Trump administration, costing them significant political capital. Instead of being a larger-than-life, Churchillian chief riding into D. C. on a light horse, Trump and his contenders will be portrayed as” The Gang That Don’t Take Right” — a conglomeration band of rogues, perverts, and scoundrels who shouldn’t be trusted.
It’ll get Omarosa, Part II.
Given the scope and size of the MAGA plan, wasting political money on ineffective candidates is the kind of spontaneous failure that Democrats are hoping and praying for. Consider, congressional elections are in just two years! Recent research suggests that Democrats may perform worse in 2026, which may limit MAGA’s ability to pass legislation in Trump’s final two years.
But, really, Trump and business only have a two-year window to define their plan. That’s not a lot of day, every minute counts.
We can’t afford to waste time on poor contenders.
Luckily, Pete Hegseth isn’t dead in the water … however. But I repeat: his present path is unpleasant. Every time, the media drip-drip-drips things novel: his ex-Fox coworkers say he’s a drunken and ancient family messages are being used against him. From his” key past” to allegations of sexual matters, Hegseth’s standing has taken a beating.
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He’s being swarmed by bees, and day is NOT on his part.
The first thing he must do is reboot the tale: A sit-down meeting with Hegseth and his wife ( and other household members, including his mother ) on a pleasant shop, where he can explain his side of the story, had been perfect. If the Hegseth household can handle it, more interviews would be even better. The best way to defend yourself is through those who are most in tune with you.
It would also be wise for Hegseth’s friends, especially those who served alongside him! — to be set up for interviews right away. Their testimonials would greatly help him resurrect his reputation.
Hegseth has two target audiences. Republicans in the Senate are the first. It’s a small universe, so he has ample time to make his case to each senator directly.
However, his second audience is arguably more significant because it influences the first audience, which is the American people.
Even the GOP senator who is the most RINO-ish is knee-buckling terrified to oppose Trump. The donors they rely on are anticipating access to the incoming Trump administration, so he might attack them ( and the primary’em ). If the senator is persona non grata to the Trump White House, their donors will donate to organizations elsewhere.
They will therefore respond favorably to pressure from the PR industry. If you get their constituents on your side, you’ll get them on your side.
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Pete Hegseth is a creature of Fox News, which means he’s smart, charming, and highly effective on camera. It’s a PR asset most nominees lack. ( Not unlike Liam Neeson, Hegseth has” a very particular set of skills“. ) It’s odd that he’s not being more aggressive with utilizing this skill set.
But if he doesn’t start being more proactive, it will cost him the nomination. Time is running out.
