Dem senator: Petraeus would have ‘real challenge’ on confirmation

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) says President-elect Donald Trump would have an uphill battle getting retired Gen. David Petraeus confirmed as secretary of State.

“I think that could be a real challenge,” he said Thursday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.”

{mosads}“Especially coming off a campaign where the handling of classified material was made such a central issue by President-elect Trump,” added Coons, who endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

“But I do think the character flaw that sort of bedeviled the end of his career in public service would become a central issue in confirmation hearings.”

Coons added that Petraeus had impeccable credentials, despite his conviction for mishandling classified information.

“He’s very smart, very skilled and very knowledgeable when it comes to world affairs,” the senator said of the former CIA director.

Reports emerged Wednesday that Petraeus is likely one of four finalists to run the State Department in the Trump administration.

The other contenders are purportedly 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.).

Petraeus may be haunted by a past scandal involving mishandled classified information and his mistress, however.

The retired general pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material in 2015.

Petraeus gave Paula Broadwell diaries containing classified information while she worked on his biography.

The military veteran was ultimately sentenced to two years’ probation and fined $100,000 last year.

Trump’s critics have hammered his consideration of Petraeus after his harsh criticism of Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of State.

Critics say Clinton may have jeopardized sensitive national intelligence with the device.

A trio of GOP senators on Thursday, however, said Petraeus’s past should not bar him from potentially leading State.

Republican Sens. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Mike Rounds (S.D.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) all voiced openness to fair confirmation hearings for Petraeus.