Pompeo: A surprising politician

The next presidential race is on.

One probable candidate is former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

He just released a new book: “Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.”

Mr. Pompeo must be a smart guy. He graduated first in his class at West Point. Then he went to Harvard Law School. Interviewing him makes it clear that he is smarter and more thoughtful than most politicians. We talked for an hour about immigration, defense, education, tariffs, entitlement reform, pandemics and more.

We disagree about a lot.

Mr. Pompeo knows I’m a libertarian and would disagree with him about a lot. But he agreed to talk about ... anything. Then he repeatedly said things that surprised me.

Mr. Pompeo calls himself a “deficit hawk.” I give him a hard time about Republican hypocrisy, pointing out that under President Donald Trump, Republicans increased the deficit.

“Guilty as charged,” Mr. Pompeo replies. “My party has been no more serious about actually delivering solutions to this problem than the Democratic Party.”

That’s surprisingly honest.

He also doesn’t dodge the fact that Social Security and Medicare are going broke.

This program also helps young people develop an occupational identity and vocational self. Choosing an occupation and developing a broader vocational sense of one’s values, abilities, and personality is important for adult success.

Finally, this opportunity program puts young people on a trajectory to economic and social well-being, informed citizenship and civic responsibility, laying a foundation for adult success, a lifetime of opportunity and human flourishing.

Bruno

V. Manno is senior adviser for the Walton Family Foundation’s education program and a former US. assistant secretary of education for policy.