Per a close DC observer to the Wide World of News on the @PeteHegseth nomination: Goals of the week were three fold: 1) AVOID THE FAILURE OF A NOMINEE PAST: Matt Gaetz hated Senators, and couldn’t even bring himself to pretend otherwise. Instead, a likeable and engaging Pete blitzed multiple Senators in their own offices face to face, so they could meet him, hear his plans, and answer every question. Then those Senators told their colleagues he has a DoD vision and qualities they could support. This boosted Senate backing, and didn’t let control of the nomination shift to The Town’s nonstop bitching and the downfall doom mongers in the media. 2) WIN DC FIGHT CLUB? BREAK THE FIRST RULE: Nominees are always told to say nothing publicly during their confirmations. That’s just the DC version of assisted suicide. A mute nominee barraged by hostile reporters tempts any President to just go ahead with a mercy killing once he decides you’re weak or going to lose. Being out front strongly on your own behalf while not trashing Senators or their process shut down the Senate Kevorkians while showing the President and his team strength, courage, and grit. 3) CAPTURE THE MAR A LAGO FLAG: Fighting through the rough terrain of Palm Beach with a forward deployment of credible voices to the President that Pete is a great nominee in much better shape than he had been hearing—Senators and other key influencers—helped turn the volume up for Pete and drown out voices pushing other names. A unified offense for Pete against a fragmented set of alternatives found success. BOTTOM LINE? HATERS GONNA HATE HATE HATE…Pete ends the week without any Senator saying no. There are many more meetings and a ton of work left to do, but his nomination is very much alive. He can fight on, and fight to win. Get the newsletter daily by becoming a member here: https://t.co/yNkpCTQPX2 cc: @JDVance @JasonMiller @normcoleman
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