Trump's choice for Secretary of State points to pro-Russian tilt

Whatever else you say about President-elect Donald Trump, he continues to defy conventional wisdom.

Later on Tuesday, he is widely expected to name Rex Tillerson - the chief executive of one of the world's largest and most influential companies, Exxon Mobil - as his Secretary of State.

That is another astonishing twist to the political drama that is the presidential transition.

Sure, running a multinational company the size of Exxon requires great business skills. But Tillerson - like Trump - has never served in government and has no formal diplomatic experience.

His business is pure deal-making and that was undoubtedly his appeal to Trump.

The whole saga of this appointment has been conducted like the final of The Apprentice. There has been drama, humiliation, improbable twists, and now a prime time victor.

But there is a question beyond his political inexperience that may haunt the Senate confirmation process. For Tillerson has deep ties to Russia and to President Putin. He even received an award from the Kremlin.

Tillerson's appointment - assuming he is confirmed - may indicate what was once unthinkable: That a pro-Russian tilt is genuinely underway in American foreign policy.