In the last couple of days, big time mainstream republicans have backed Tillerson for Secretary of State.  The problem is, though, that they left out a little detail about their endorsements: they all work for Tillerson’s company, Exxon Mobil.

James Baker, Secretary of State under Bush I and who led the recount effort for Bush II, strongly endorsed Tillerson, hailing his “management skills”.  He left out the fact that his law firm, Baker Botts, represents Exxon including a price fixing allegation against the company.

Robert Gates and Condoleezza Rice also strongly endorsed Tillerson heaping praise on his abilities and suitability for the job, but dodging questions about his close relationship with Vladimir Putin.  They also left out the fact that their consulting firm, Rice Hadley Gates, also works for Exxon.

Most of the MSM has ignored the clear conflicts in these endorsements.  Politico is reporting it and surprisingly, since there is no Ebola outbreak this month, so is CNN.

Insiders at Politico are reporting this morning that the Tillerson nomination is already in serious trouble mainly due to his ties with Vladimir Putin as we discussed this weekend.  Marco Rubio is apparently begging the Cheeto transition team for another body, and bipartisan resistance to the nomination is rising.  It seems that all this attention on CJ’s ties (and other members of the inner circle’s) ties to the Russian despot is finally starting to get traction.  McCain has even issued a statement questioning the wisdom of this nomination.

I know, I know, let’s not get our hopes up.

Paul Manafort, with close ties to pro-Russian Ukrainian strongman, Viktor Yanukovych.

Calls for Russia to hack Hillary’s emails, and complementary statements made about Vladimir Putin during the campaign.

Clear Russian hacking and selective disclosure of hacked emails to help sway the election by damaging Hillary.

Open celebrations in Russia after US election results were announced.

Antagonism against the CIA report of Russian hacking and dismissal of the findings without any basis except that he doesn’t like the answer.

“I’m a smart person,” and “don’t need” daily intelligence briefings.

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