Sam Clovis withdraws from consideration for Agriculture post after his name surfaced in Russia probe

[Gothmog]

Source: Washington Post

The nomination of Sam Clovis to be the Agriculture Department’s chief scientist was controversial both because of questions about his lack of relevant experience and news this week that he was one of the top officials on the Trump campaign aware of efforts by foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos to broker a relationship between the campaign and Russian officials.

Clovis, who now serves as the department’s senior White House adviser, informed President Trump of his decision in a letter dated Nov. 1.

“The political climate inside Washington has made it impossible for me to receive balanced and fair consideration for this position,” Clovis wrote in the letter. “The relentless assaults on you and your team seem to be a blood sport that only increases in intensity each day. As I am focused on your success and the success of this Administration, I do not want to be a distraction or negative influence, particularly with so much important work left to do for the American people.”

Clovis was tentatively slated to have a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Nov. 9.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/11/02/sam-clovis-withdraws-from-consideration-for-agriculture-post-after-his-name-surfaced-in-russia-probe/?pushid=59fb3776de29211d00000001&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.7bfee1d974bf

[Renew Deal]

1. He didn't want to be questioned publicly about his traitorous acts.

But happy this extremist is gone.

[SoCalMusicLover]

2. Notice How It's NOT His Fault

It was the political climate and relentless assaults on Drumpf that caused him to withdraw.

What's the matter, doesn't he have family he wants to spend more time with?

[William Seger]

3. Lawrence O'Donnell was right

No way in hell were they going to let Clovis answer questions about Stupid Watergate.

[procon]

4. Clovis must be feeling a lot of heat from the investigators. nt

[Thor_MN]

5. IOW, "My criminal past and utter lack of qualifications make it impossible to install me."

[ffr]

6. He wasn't even indicted, just a reference within them and not even specifically named.

The snowflake collecting snowball continues to roll along.

Bye-bye, conservative christian republican!

[Honeycombe8]

7. The hubris that he even accepted being in consideration, knowing his corruption.

He likely was told he's out...but given the opportunity to "withdraw."

[riversedge]

8. This is damage Control by the WH. But Clovis still works for the USDA!!-in a Senior role........

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/11/02/sam-clovis-withdraws-nomination-for-udsas-top-scientist-post-after-being-linked-to-russia-probe/?hpid=hp_no-name_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.37707907bae7


...............On Thursday White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed that Trump had accepted Clovis’ request, saying, “We respect Mr. Clovis’s decision to withdraw his nomination.”

However Clovis indicated in his letter that he will stay on at the Agriculture Department in a senior role, writing, “I will remain a devoted and loyal supporter and will continue to serve at the pleasure of you and the Secretary of Agriculture.”

CNN first reported Clovis’ decision Thursday morning.

The professor and conservative radio talk show host from Iowa, who served as national co-chair of Trump’s campaign, had come under intense fire since Papadopoulos’s guilty plea was filed this week. But he had been a contentious pick since Trump first nominated him this spring, given the fact that he has no experience in the hard sciences and had made controversial comments in the past on climate change and gay rights.

[Trump’s nominee for USDA’s chief scientist, Sam Clovis, confirms that he has no hard science or agriculture credentials]

The position for which Clovis was nominated has traditionally been held by individuals with advanced degrees in science or medicine. The 2008 farm bill specifies that appointees to the position should be chosen “from among distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics,” given that the official is “responsible for the coordination of the research, education, and extension activities of the Department.”

Clovis confirmed in an Oct. 17 letter obtained by The Washington Post that he has no academic credentials in either science or agriculture.................

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. Recent commentary at RogueAltGov:

Anti-science advocate Clovis may have facilitated Russian collusion and cannot be Top Scientist at USDA. Contact https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/about/faq#head

Link to tweet

https://twitter.com/AltUSDA_ARS

https://twitter.com/RogueAltGov

Who is Sam Clovis? He was Air Force, professor, contractor, conservative talk show host… 1/

Link to tweet

[Skittles]

10. how will they find repukes who weren't involved with Russia

the entire GOP is contaminated

[FakeNoose]

11. Even if they do find somebody, who would take the job now?

My God everyone is guilty by association now, even if they weren't before.

[Skittles]

12. there is no shortage of Trump Whores

the requirements are to not be qualified for the job and be willing to put party above country

[FakeNoose]

13. They have to pass the loyalty sniff test

... then they're qualified.