"The Secretary of Defense runs America’s armed forces, which are called into action when diplomacy has failed."

In reporting about Trump's selection of James Mattis as Secretary of Defense, the AP wrote,

Although his record in combat and his credentials as a senior commander are widely admired, Mattis has little experience in the diplomatic aspects of the job of a secretary of defense.

To which John Hinderaker responds at PowerLine,

Since when is the Secretary of Defense supposed to be a diplomat? Seriously, this is a new one on me. The Secretary of Defense runs America’s armed forces, which are called into action when diplomacy has failed and it is time to kick enemy a**. Has this basic concept somehow been forgotten?

The Left is going to be all over this one.