Trump's secretary of state pick gains support of his first Democratic senator

[babylonsister]

Trump's secretary of state pick gains support of his first Democratic senator
By Ashley Killough and Phil Mattingly, CNN

Updated 3:32 PM ET, Thu April 19, 2018


(CNN)Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota on Thursday announced her support for Mike Pompeo's nomination for secretary of state, becoming the first Democrat to say she'll vote for the current CIA director to be the nation's top diplomat and giving him a much-needed vote for his confirmation.

"Pompeo demonstrated during this nomination process and during our meeting in March that he is committed to empowering the diplomats at the State Department so they can do their jobs in advancing American interests," Heitkamp said in a statement.

While Republicans have long felt Pompeo would be approved in the end, his confirmation was in question after Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky announced he would oppose it and as Republican Sen. John McCain remains in Arizona battling cancer -- two factors that complicate the Senate vote math for Pompeo.

While he's not yet received a committee vote, Pompeo is expected to need at least one Democrat to vote with Republicans. While Heitkamp's support represents a good sign for Pompeo, it's still unclear whether
Republicans will need more Democrats to get his nomination across the finish line, as Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is still undecided.

more...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/19/politics/heidi-heitkamp-to-vote-for-pompeo/index.html

[Demsrule86]

1. She is up for re-election...must be that he will be approved so vulnerable Dems

can vote in ways that help them win in 18.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. Assume that is it. Frustrating but ANYTHING to get control

[Demsrule86]

3. I agree. It is hard to see such unqualified people become part of the government.

It could be that they have enough votes to derail the appointment and she is being allowed to vote in a way that helps her campaign because they don't need her...wouldn't that be great!

[Wwcd]

4. If crayola invented a new redder than red color they'd have to name it North Dakota

I'm amazed that she even was elected at all.
That is a horrid red state.

[ismnotwasm]

5. Hahahaha

Sorry but that was funny—and true

[Wwcd]

6. It is. ☺

[Blue_true]

7. She replaced a democratic Senator from that state. nt

[Wwcd]

8. Was that Byron Dorgan?

He was always well respected even among Repubs.
Just a great guy to know.

[Blue_true]

9. Yes. Centrist, but a solid democrat. He voted for the ACA and other important Dem initiatives. nt

[Wwcd]

10. Thanks.