Andy Puzder has no problem fighting against overtime pay and increases in the minimum wage, but he’s less interested in being challenged by people not wearing a Hardee’s uniform who want to see his financial information.
President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be labor secretary has voiced second thoughts in recent days, because of a relentless barrage of criticism from Democrats, labor unions and other liberal groups, a business ally and GOP sources tell CNN. …
"He may be bailing," said a Republican source plugged into the Trump transition effort. "He is not into the pounding he is taking, and the paperwork."
Oh, man. Paperwork. That is hard. You can’t expect someone making just $5 million a year (down from as much as $30 million in past years) to do paperwork. No. That’s something better suited for people making $24,000 a year who work 60-hour weeks without extra compensation because you’ve declared them managers.
Puzder is one of six nominees that liberals have been targeting for their exceptionally regressive, exceptionally aggressive, exceptionally stupid policies.
“The secretary nominee for Human Services seems to want to shred the social safety net,” said [Senator Brian] Schatz. “The EPA nominee seems to want to undermine the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and the secretary of Labor seems to not want to represent labor, but rather management.”
Trump’s team is trying to get Puzder to hang in there, but the would-be secretary for oppressing labor seems pretty shaky.
Puzder's confirmation hearings was initially scheduled for this week. It is now on hold, and likely will not be held until next month.
Puzder would be a hard loss for Trump, since they share an affection for greasy food and ogling women.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with a beautiful woman in a bikini, eating a burger and washing a Bentley or a pickup truck or being in a hot tub," Puzder said in an interview with CNNMoney in 2015. "I think there's probably nothing more American."
Puzder, 66, is the fast food magnate who heads Hardee's and Carl's Jr. restaurants. …
He's also developed a clear advertising strategy: Attractive women sell. Under Puzder, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. have been known for their highly suggestive ads.
Trump may also miss Puzder because he’s one of the few people on the team who can manage to out-sexist, and out-idiot, Trump himself.
"When my son was 13 or 14 years old, he didn't want to eat where the clown, the kids or the pigtails ate," Puzder said. "He wanted to eat where his big brother ate. I'm 64 years old, I want to be a young, hungry guy. Young ladies like to date young, hungry guys."
It’s not a sure thing that Puzder is withdrawing, but the fact that he’s this nervous already is a good start.
Five to go.
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2017 · 3:20:20 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Puzder put out a tweet on Monday evening, apparently in response to the widely reported news that he was thinking of dropping out.
However, there’s plenty of time between now and the hearing for Puzder to run for the door.