Pete Hegseth is still Secretary of Defense. Trump has had plenty of reasons to fire him and has probably wanted to for a while. However to Trump Petey Boy is one of his ‘out of central casting’ appointees so it would look bad to fire him. Plus, he’s a guy and Trump still has women he can fire to look tough. Still, it’s been suggested after the midterms Trump will pull the trigger (pun intended) on Hegseth and even if he doesn’t Hegseth might well be impeached and convicted. Hegseth will need a new gig, and he’s trying to get himself appointed as a Senator – from Tennessee.
Given the messes he’s made and the fanfare which which Petey Boy has showcased his obvious idiocy and incompetence Fox isn’t about to welcome him back with a fat contract. Pete needs a job with good money and perks but doesn’t qualify for one of those cushy federal pensions. According to various news outlets including MEDIAite Hegseth has decided being a Senator is the way to go. Tennessee, a state Hegseth lived in for a few years before becoming SecDef has Marsha Blackburn almost two years into a six-year term as she was re-elected in 2024. She’s running for Governor and Tennessee being the way it is even in a bad year for Republicans she will certainly win next week. That means she’ll get to appoint a successor to fill out the remaining four years of her term.
Part of Hegseth has to be cringing. Running hat-in-hand to a “gurl” for a handout, to bail him out with a safe job is against everything a manly-man’s-man-alpha-male like Hegesth’s very nature. On the other hand he hates the idea of giving up the spotlight, being a DC bigwig and all the money and perks that come with being a top political player. So, even though it would be a self-inflicted humiliation he’d have to deal with the rest of his life he’s chosen to beg (and I think it’s fair to characterize it that way) a WOMAN for help:
Specifically, Journalists Leigh Ann Caldwell wrote Hegseth is prodding Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to appoint him to her seat, if she wins the Tennessee gubernatorial race and vacates it. And that appears likely, with Blackburn enjoying a huge lead in the polls.
“Hegseth lived in Tennessee for three years before he took over the Pentagon, but his short tenure there might not count as real Tennessee roots,” Caldwell wrote.
As the linked article puts it Hegseth is “angling” (another term for fisherman is angler btw) for that soon to be open Senate seat. However he might be fishing in a dry hole. He’s not the only one who wants to take over Blackburn’s seat. According to Caldwell, Petey Boy faces some still competition:
“[Hegseth] attended a University of Tennessee football game with Blackburn earlier this month. Next to them was Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), who is also interested in being appointed to Blackburn’s seat,” she wrote. “Burchett has spent his time campaigning for Blackburn in every county in the state, according to a person familiar with his intentions. Watch this space.”
Notice that part about Burchett campaigning all over the state for Blackburn. It’s not like she needs his help. Even this year which like I said is difficult for the GOP in some startling places. I’d say Burchett has spent the year laying the groundwork to move up from the House to the Senate. Sort of a crowning achievement to his career. Unlike Hegseth he’s a bona fide, real Tennessean. He was born in Knoxville, went to college in the state, and went on to elected office there. Burchett served as Knox County Mayor and in the Tennessee legislature before becoming a U.S. Representative. He’s got seriously deep roots in the state.
Hegesth on the other hand is a Johnny-come-lately. HE is from Minnesota and went to Princeton before joining the Army. I’m not sure where those couple of non-profits he ran into the ground were located but I’m pretty sure they were NOT headquartered in Tennessee. As we know Hegseth got a gig on Fox. Somewhere during that time he apparently took up residency in Tennessee (he was a weekend guy on Fox when Trump noticed him) for a few years.
Maybe Kid Rock will let Petey Boy stay in a guest house on his estate. On the other hand, once he’s no longer SecDef Hegseth won’t be able to arrange for military helicopters to make an appearance to give Kid Rock a photo op he can use as MAGA Credibility Currency to sell a few cheesy records. Of course, Hegseth first has to convince Blackburn to pick him. That appearance at the Tennessee football game makes more sense now, but as noted above Burchett was right there too!
Here’s the thing as I see it. Marsha Blackburn is not a name that comes to mind when one thinks about DC types advocating for women. Still, you have to wonder what she’s thought about as Hegseth systematically went about purging awfully impressive women from top military commands. Petey’s idea of “warriors” as we know doesn’t include non-white folks, non-Christians, ‘fat’ guys, and definitely no chicks. He’s made it clear – HIS warriors will by god be straight white square jawed, hulking (with steroids probably if needed) macho-man (not Village People type but Jersey Shore ‘Guido’ style) MEN. I’m sure as hell no fan of Blackburn’s but I’ll readily admit she’s had to put up with the same crap all women have to deal with, and a whole set unique to women politicians. I don’t have any trouble admitting it’s worse for GOP women who aspire to power.
Blackburn is in her 70s and giving up a Senate seat to go home and finish her career in public service as Governor. After all the nonsense that’s gone on in her current job, not just being a woman but with the head of her Party and current President being Donald Trump at this point in life it’s easy to see her cutting back to a much more laid-back lifestyle. Closer to family and actual real friends. AND, since she’d be the state’s first female Governor making some history in the process. If you extrapolate that last part, it suggests looking at how Petey Boy views and treats women Marsha Blackburn just might get a kick out of tossing his exit plan into the wood chipper.
It brings a smile to my face imagining Blackburn thinking that way, and talking about Hegseth being Senator using the term “Well bless his heart.” For those who don’t know when southern women use that phrase with a certain inflection what they are really saying is ‘What a f**ing idiot!’ or ‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ It might sound endearing but it’s the equivalent of a southern woman whacking you in the chest with a meat cleaver. My guess is that even the bulk of Republican men, at least on Capitol Hill would love to see Hegesth get the political equivalent of said meat cleaver from Blackburn. If she publicly smacked Hegseth that way even Democrats on the Hill would feel some goodwill if Governor Blackburn asked for their help!
There is no word combination as horrible as President Donald Trump but Senator Pete Hegseth would be in the parking lot. It’s an awful thing to have to contemplate so let’s hope Blackburn shuts Hegseth down.
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