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Chief of Staff Hunt Shows Further Descent of White House into “Reality” TV

The chief of staff hunt is going perfectly for TV personality Donald Trump. Because no one qualified wants to work in the most dysfunctional White House ever, Trump can drag out his search and make it look like his favorite genre, “reality” TV:

Paul Reubens for Chief of Staff—Paul Reubens for Chief of Staff—the perfect foil for Big Top Donald.
Paul Reubens for Chief of Staff—the perfect foil for Big Top Donald.

Trump himself likes to feed the drama, dropping hints about the number of candidates in the running and bantering with journalists about who wants the job.

…Author Chris Whipple, an expert on chiefs of staff, called the search process “sad to watch”.

“In his first two years, Trump devalued the position by failing to empower anyone to perform the job, and now he’s turned the search for a replacement into a reality show,” said Whipple, author of The Gatekeepers, a book on the subject. “The only thing more broken and dysfunctional than the White House itself seems to be the search for the new White House chief of staff” [“Life Imitating TV: Trump’s Search for New Chief of Staff Has Reality Show Feel,” AP via South China Morning Post, 2018.12.14].

Besides, who wants a job labelled “Chief” when you’ll really be just another Apprentice?

49 Comments

  1. mike from iowa 2018-12-14 09:36

    Gingrich might be in the running. He has as much or more baggage than Drumpf and his moral compass filed bankruptcy early and often.

    Like Jim Stafford once said- The swamp is alive with a thousand eyes and all of them watching you. Stay off the path to Chief of Staff lest bogus potus selects you. ( I made some of that up)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB0SxXTR_UI

    Swamp Witch by Jim Stafford

  2. mike from iowa 2018-12-14 10:15

    Piers Morgan begged for the job. Jon Voight admitted he would take it.

    Chatty Kathie Lee Gifford and her sweater puppies are available if called.

  3. leslie 2018-12-14 10:42

    Cory could u use that photo in your DFP heading for awhile? It captures the moment and underscores the world cannot survive 2 more years. This is serious. We don’t have 2 more years.

  4. Porter Lansing 2018-12-14 11:08

    “President Trump’s behavior is as predictable as a Big Mac.” The main ingredients are lying, cheating and manipulation. – Michael D’Antonio Boston Globe 12/14/2018

  5. bearcreekbat 2018-12-14 11:38

    To add a bit of excitment, perhaps Kathy Griffin could be a candidate.

  6. o 2018-12-14 13:01

    Finding a new Chief-ofStaff: now THAT’s a witch hunt!

    Thanks folks; I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.

  7. mike from iowa 2018-12-14 15:44

    Fat and Furious Chris Christie turned down the COS job.

  8. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-12-14 17:49

    Hey, Big Macs are better than that!

    Leslie, I give Trump too much of what he wants as it is. I can’t bear to brand my blog with his face, even in the mockery he deserves. But feel free to forward the photo and the blog post to everyone you can reach online.

    Mr. Renli gets me thinking: Trump must like this churn. Firing and hiring people is the only White House task where he can pretend to be an expert, where he can shed all the far-too-complicated policy issues and talk strictly about personalities.

  9. leslie 2018-12-14 21:59

    You are right Cory. I didn’t think it thru :)

  10. leslie 2018-12-14 22:31

    Roger, also interestingly, again w regard to Daschle, Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, lawyer/appointee failed to pay taxes for a house keeper, i think Like Daschle was crucified for.

  11. grudznick 2018-12-14 23:58

    Mr. mike, being from Iowa as you are, I must assume you mean Piers Anthony, one of the greatest authors of your generation. He never once set foot in Iowa. Understandable for the obvious reasons.

  12. mike from iowa 2018-12-15 06:34

    Being from Northern Mississippi, you assumed wrong, Grudz.

  13. mike from iowa 2018-12-15 06:36

    I thought Daschle was pilloried because his wife was a lobbyist while he was Majority leader in the Senate.

  14. OldSarg 2018-12-15 06:42

    “Trump must like this churn.” Actually Cory, except for Obama’s first one Obama’s turn over for Chief of Staff was more frequent than even Trump. I would think it would be a tough job period for anyone to even want to stay in.

    I think Mick Mulvaney is a good pick even if just temp. Chief of Staff is a tough job for someone with just a military background. Not that a military background is bad it is just a lot less compromising due to the conditions the military works under as opposed to a position where personal feelings actually matter. Mulvaney has done a good job of trying to bring the CFPB under some sort of government control by eliminating their ability to make up new government “rules” without oversight. Mulvaney will work out just fine.

  15. jerry 2018-12-15 08:15

    Homer Simpson’s illegitimate son, Mickey called trump a “terrible human being” nice. Should be a real fun short lived time. “After decrying the Democratic nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as a liberal who would take the country in the wrong direction, Mulvaney said he was supporting Trump, essentially by default.

    “Yes, I am supporting Donald Trump, but I’m doing so despite the fact that I think he’s a terrible human being,” he said, according to a report in The State newspaper.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-next-chief-of-staff-called-him-a-terrible-human-being-just-before-he-was-elected-president?source=twitter&via=desktop

    Mick knows it is hard to respect a traitor.

  16. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-12-15 17:26

    OS: except for Obama’s first one? What kind of cherry-picking is that?

    OS is, predictably, wrong. Obama never brought this kind of circus:

    Obama did have unusually high chief of staff turnover during his first term, which began in January 2009. His first chief, Rahm Emanuel, left in October 2010 to run for mayor of Chicago. Three months later (with staffer Pete Rouse serving as interim chief of staff in the meantime), Obama selected Bill Daley — who departed after a year in January 2012. He was replaced with Jack Lew, who served until January 2013, the beginning of his second term. So depending on how you count, Obama had either three or four chiefs of staff during his first four years in office [Dara Lind, “There Is Always a Trump Tweet, Chief of Staff Edition,” Vox, 2018.12.08].

    Note that those departures were not due to internal drama or White House chaos. Emanuel left on good terms to run for office. Daley left because he wasn’t maintaining good relations with Congress.

    The departures from the Trump White House are all about scandal, unforced errors, and reality-TV drama. My thesis stands.

  17. OldSarg 2018-12-15 17:47

    Cory, read what you posted “Obama had either three or four chiefs of staff during his first four years in office”. I thought you had taught math. . .

    How ya liking the French people protesting the Elite’s Global Warming programs? Think it will spread here? If it does it looks like your leadership may be on borrowed time but then, they have always been like enough to sell the whole global warming bull to the fools so they may figure a way of slimin

  18. OldSarg 2018-12-15 17:48

    sliming out of this as well.

  19. Porter Lansing 2018-12-15 17:52

    That’s what I’m saying. The OldMan has been out drinking all afternoon and is now verbally combative. Hope the wife is out with her friend.

  20. OldSarg 2018-12-15 18:00

    Porter, you don’t need to go there. Being nasty is not something you should take pride in.

  21. Porter Lansing 2018-12-15 18:05

    What I don’t need is your insipid advice. You’re a neurotic mess.

  22. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-12-15 18:44

    Elect a clown, expect a circus.

    Let OS comment, expect an unenlightening distraction.

    Trump can’t govern. Good people don’t want to work for him. The White House is providing no real leadership for America or the free world. The churn we need most right now is at the top. Mike Pence would manage the White House better than the current idiot-in-chief; Trump’s unprecedented churn (yes, far crazier than anything that happened under Obama) is proof.

  23. OldSarg 2018-12-15 19:20

    By what standard are you judging Trump Mr “Who Knows All About All” Cory? What have you built. Who have you employed. What job did you take as president for no compensation?

    This is your problem; You rudely judge a man who is serving who didn’t need to serve yet, everything you do is to serve yourself. You trashed your own election with your inability to manage a civl tongue. I cheered for you. I tried to work with you but you don’t have the self discipline to act in a civil manner. You shoulda looked out for your election a little bit. You shoulda taken care of it, just a little bit, so w wouldn’t have to take them dives for the short-end money…You coulda had class. You coulda been a contender. You coulda been somebody, instead you lost. Liberty taken

  24. OldSarg 2018-12-15 19:25

    “Good people don’t want to work for him. “~Cory

    2 million worked for the government before Trump and 2 million work for the government after the election. No wave of leavers, quitters or people not wanting to work for him. They al show up, do their work and collect their check that you continue to pay taxes for because even you don’t have the guts to quit paying Trump.

  25. jerry 2018-12-15 19:40

    trump is a crook and a traitor who hires illegals and doesn’t pay them.

  26. jerry 2018-12-15 19:41

    I see you cashed your paytroll and are slobbering drunk, typical Russian.

  27. OldSarg 2018-12-15 20:26

    So what jerry. Your opinion is of no value. You have never served the Nation. You are a sucker, like a leech.

  28. Roger Cornelius 2018-12-15 20:36

    When Trump shuts down the government on December 21, the same day he goes golfing for two weeks, there will be 2 million federal employees that won’t be working for Trump.
    The 2 million federal employees don’t work for Trump they work for the citizens of the United States.

  29. Roger Cornelius 2018-12-15 20:42

    I started to formulate a response to Old Sarge’s most recent comments and decided against it.
    If you go to Facebook or Twitter you will literally find 100’s of Old Sarge’s making the identical comments, it is as if they are all working off the same script.
    It is impossible to have a coherent discussion with them without them throwing a Trump type tantrum.

  30. jerry 2018-12-15 20:43

    Keep in the bag Russian, it becomes you. It helps me to know why you are willing to sell democracy out for some quick rubles. Enjoy your rotgut vodka, just like in your home country. Defending a proven crook and traitor like trump must make the taste of that rotgut thrilling for you.

  31. jerry 2018-12-15 20:45

    Roger, those 2 million are registered voters that are probably gonna be a little disturbed by the shutdown that the republicans have taken full responsibility for. Santa works in mysterious ways my friend.

  32. OldSarg 2018-12-15 21:00

    Poor Roger, as age has weaken his feeble aged mind he drools out crazy statements like “there will be 2 million federal employees that won’t be working for Trump” as if this shutdown was the whole of the government. . . In his poor mental condition people set aside time to say a small prayer that God will take him quickly and end his suffering.

  33. OldSarg 2018-12-15 21:02

    jerry, you’re a qualified idiot. before chasing the scent of Roger’s tail you should look up how many federal employees will be affected by the shutdown.

    PS: Even the federal employees want the government shut down to secure our border and Nation. Your illegals are creating more work for the federal employees. We just want a lighter load. Thanks

  34. Roger Cornelius 2018-12-15 21:18

    Other than Old Sarge, there isn’t a regular poster on Dakota Free Press that thinks that I’m a “poor Roger” or feeble.
    Old Sarge talks the same way about people with disabilities and illness than his god Trump.
    As some have commented about my 5 months absence from Dakota Free Press I didn’t say much until now.
    Thank you Old Sarge for wishing me a hasty death simply because we have different political opinions.
    As it turns out my absence was due to the fact that I have been fighting lung cancer and other major health problems.
    I wouldn’t wish death for anyone, even Trump and Old Sarge. What I would wish is that Old Sarge live a long miserable life wallowing in his hatred.

  35. OldSarg 2018-12-15 21:52

    Oh Roger. I didn’t wish an early death for you. I would never do such a thing. I just don’t like to see you suffer such. I promise you, if you were to die and be buried here in the Black Hills I would attend, say something respectful and pray for those you left behind. The sad part is the clear arrogance your advanced years have left you with.

  36. jerry 2018-12-15 21:57

    The Russian is with the GRU, so his wish is death to America.

  37. jerry 2018-12-15 22:03

    Russian, Man, I can smell that cheap rotgut vodka through the keyboards. Tell your handler that you want Putin/trump to raise your paytroll. Hint, ask for dollars not rubles.

  38. OldSarg 2018-12-15 22:04

    jerry, get off of mike’s meds. Your posts are neither witty or funny anymore. I think a good description is “droll”. It means boring. Glad to help ya out there.

  39. jerry 2018-12-15 22:05

    Sorry to hear about that Roger.

  40. jerry 2018-12-15 22:07

    I know you are just insecure about your manhood Russian. That is how you support trump so much. They have even done studies on you and your’s to help find out why you support a traitor. Just keep drinking that rotgut and tell yourself that trump is just like you.

  41. Roger Cornelius 2018-12-15 22:08

    Old Sarge
    You lie as much as Trump and you are equally cruel and hateful.
    Clearly you did wish me an early death, go back and read your own words.
    I wouldn’t want Old Sarge near me in life let alone in death.
    Old Sarge, whether you can accept it or not, you are a bully. Why Cory hasn’t banned you from his blog is a mystery. This once was a blog where there was civil discourse and debates could get testy but never to the level of hate that you bring to Dakota Free Press.

  42. jerry 2018-12-15 22:12

    Here ya go Russian, this is so you and yours.

    “President Donald Trump has long tried to depict himself as hyper-masculine. He openly disdains the #MeToo movement and constantly brags about his personal strength. And his message seems to have worked…at least on a certain kind of men. A new report has uncovered a link between support for Trump and fragile masculinity.

    In a report published in The Washington Post on November 29th, New York University social psychologist Eric Knowles and social psychology doctoral student Sarah DiMuccio wrote that men who are more insecure about their masculinity are more likely to support the 45th president. To reach this conclusion, they measured the popularity of Google search terms that reflect concerns about being “manly” enough, like “erectile dysfunction,” “penis enlargement,” “how to get girls,” and “penis size.””

    Russian, ask for a raise for your paytroll.

  43. Roger Cornelius 2018-12-15 22:20

    Thank you Jerry. I can honestly feel your sincerity through the keyboards.
    Back to the number of federal employees that will be furloughed due to Trump’s shutdown. It doesn’t really matter what the number is, the fact of the matter is that Trump handed these employees the worst Christmas present ever.

  44. OldSarg 2018-12-16 04:57

    Roger reread my posts aloud to yourself and reflect back upon your own nasty little attacks. I will say a prayer for your health and I did not wish you an untimely death.

  45. mike from iowa 2018-12-16 08:04

    OldSoapboxSally sez- Oh Roger. I didn’t wish an early death for you. I would never do such a thing.

    OldSoapboxSally said-In his poor mental condition people set aside time to say a small prayer that God will take him quickly and end his suffering.

    52 minutes apart. Must be a new record of lie/deny for the pathological liar.

  46. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-12-16 08:28

    Roger, you’re right: in his persistent effort to keep the conversation on personalities rather than on the facts about government and Trump’s failure that he cannot refute, OS said the following:

    “In his poor mental condition people set aside time to say a small prayer that God will take him quickly and end his suffering.”

    That is an appalling call for Roger to die. Shame on you, OS. Your apparent mental and emotional handicaps do not excuse such an appalling statement. We do not need any more of your insults.

  47. Dana P 2018-12-16 08:57

    No wonder OS fits in with the daycare mentality of the current White House. Reviewing his many comments, yeah, day care mentality (and I’m sorry to insult day care like that) Says to Porter not to get nasty, and then proceeds to get nasty and attack others. SMH

    When you can’t defend the indefensible, OS shows the exact game plan. Distract and attack. Distract and attack. Next thing you know, OS will say he is suing. SMH

    It IS a circus at 1600 Pennsylvania. Has been since late January 2016. The facts (I know, stubborn things) bear that out. Captain Chaos – daily. And now Zinke (how many proceeding through the revolving doors does that make now? ) Daily episodes of “The Apprentice” … And America is paying a huge price.

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