Eric Beech for the 2/16/17 Reuters article, reports the following:
“President Donald Trump’s choice for national security adviser, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has turned down the offer, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the situation.”
“Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn resigned on Monday for misleading Vice President Mike Pence over his conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the United States.”
As per the 2/15/17 Foreign Policy report by Thomas E. Ricks, “He is not an ideologue, as Flynn seemed to have become in the last few years. Harward thinks of himself as a national security professional — and indeed once served on the NSC staff, during the Bush Administration. Before that, early in the Afghan war, he headed the Special Operations task force in Kandahar.”
“Harward also would work well with Defense Secretary James Mattis. When Mattis was chief of Central Command, Harward was his deputy. Mattis trusted him enough to put him in charge of planning for war with Iran. Mattis has urged Harward to take the NSA job.”
This evening 2/16/17, CBS is reporting the following:
“Two sources close to the situation confirm Harward demanded his own team, and the White House resisted.”
“Specifically, Mr. Trump told Deputy National Security Adviser K. T. McFarland that she could retain her post, even after the ouster of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Harward refused to keep McFarland as his deputy, and after a day of negotiations over this and other staffing matters, Harward declined to serve as Flynn’s replacement.”
“Harward, a 60-year-old former Navy SEAL, served as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command under now-Defense Secretary James Mattis. He previously served as deputy commanding general for operations of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.”
“Harward has also commanded troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for six years after the 9/11 attacks. Under President George W. Bush, he served on the National Security Council as director of strategy and policy for the office of combating terrorism.”
Gronda Morin 
I’m just watching this on CBSN. I’m actually disappointed about this since he knows and has worked with Mattis and from what I read on him was definitely qualified. Obviously he’s a man of integrity, hence his turning down the job when Trum refused to let him choose his own staff.
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Dear Kim,
He was not going to let DT get away with squat. Too bad! He is exactly what DT needed.
Hugs, Gronda
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We definitely need more of him! I wonder who he’s going to ask next.🤔
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Dear Kim,
His administration is in such chaos, that many star employees may hesitate to say yes.
Hugs, Gronda
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We’ll see how many others turn down this position, Trump is looking for YES men. This gig may resemble A-list performers opting-out of his inauguration! 😉
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Dear 1EarthUnited,
Gen. Flynn and DT were on the same wave length. Anyone of sound mind and character will not be but DT needs to have a grown up in the WH..
Ciao, Gronda
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Good to get this info. Thanks.
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Dear Nan Mykel,
Thanks for the kind feedback.
Hugs, Gronda
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There are many open positions within his departments. They are having a hard time finding folks who want to serve under DT’s leadership, so we are very vulnerable.
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Dear Keith, Who of sound mind would want to work for this man and with his team of Bannon, Miller and Conway.
Ciao, Gronda
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Agreed. As seen by Mattis and Pence, they have do a lot of apologizing for the President, even distancing themselves from some of his inane and spiteful comments.
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I don’t blame him a bit, but it is too bad, as I think he would have been good. However, if Bannon was going to shove his staff picks on him, his authority would have likely become limited very quickly anyway. This means the next candidate will likely be Petraeus. Sigh.
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Dear Jill,
It looks like Gen. Petraeus has even pulled his name from consideration.
Frankly, while Bannon is on the NSC, I don’t see any military worth his salt, signing up for this job.
Hugs, Gronda.
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I just heard that … wow, it’s pretty bad when even Petraeus wants no part of it! Harward gained my respect when he declined the nomination. Bannon needs to go! But then, so does Trump! 🙂
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