Why has Rudy Giuliani emerged as President-elect Donald Trump's prospect for State, the most coveted job in the administration?
Though Giuliani has little foreign policy experience, Trump insiders say Giuliani had few other options, and that Trump had to reward his most loyal, high-level supporter.
Trump transition officials and Giuliani himself has confided to friends there was little chance he could be confirmed by the Senate, which, under cloture rules, would still require Democratic support.
"[Sen. Chuck] Schumer hates Rudy," one Giuliani friend told Newsmax, referring to the Senate Democratic Minority Leader.
Democrats also believe Trump likes to "break rules," as one Democratic staffer said, and the Democrats will insist on a more neutral attorney general.
And that is a key reason Trump may tap Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for the attorney general position.
Sessions has made a name for himself on security and immigration issues and was touted for the more appropriate job of defense secretary.
But Trump transition team wants a Trump loyalist in the AG position. Sessions, as a "member of the club", they believe will get quick confirmation from his Senate colleagues.
Giuliani has critics for the foreign policy post. He has little foreign policy experience as a long time prosecutor, Justice Department official and New York mayor. Some
insiders feel he lacks the diplomatic skills and knowledge to woo allies who are wary of the new president.
"It's a reward, Rudy is Donald's sage," a Trump source said. The source said he expects Giuliani will hold the post no longer than two years.
John Bolton is the other potential secretary of state, but friends of Trump suggest Bolton's personality is not a good fit for the extroverted billionaire.
Bolton has also been a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a new ally for Mr. Trump who will make resetting U.S.-Russian relations his number one foreign policy agenda items.
"Rudy will implement that policy," the Trump source said.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax.