With Hagel filibuster, Senate Republicans shame themselves
Senate Republicans have not merely chosen to filibuster the nomination of Chuck Hagel, himself a former Republican senator, for secretary of Defense. That step alone would be remarkable enough, a serious break with the understandings and traditions of American politics.
What makes it worse is that some among them have tried to justify the filibuster by implying that Hagel has sold himself out to this nation’s enemies. They have challenged his patriotism. They have assaulted his honesty and character, based on no evidence whatsoever. Some in the conservative movement have even funded an anonymous, multi-million-dollar media campaign against Hagel, accusing him of wanting to weaken America. It is a charge that was also aired publicly by former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Chuck Hagel, right, volunteered to fight for his country in Vietnam as an enlisted man, alongside his brother Tom, left. Both men were seriously wounded, earning five Purple Hearts between them.
In Senate confirmation hearings, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas demanded access to years of Hagel’s financial records, well beyond those requested of any other Cabinet nominee, explaining that “it is at a minimum relevant to know if that $200,000 that he deposited in his bank account came directly from Saudi Arabia, came directly from North Korea.”
Likewise, Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma noted that Iran had spoken favorably of Hagel, suggesting that it made his former colleague a fellow traveler with the mullahs because “he’s endorsed by them. You can’t get any cozier than that.”
This is the very same Chuck Hagel whom John McCain once lauded as a likely secretary of state in a McCain White House. It is the same Hagel whom Mitch McConnell has praised in the past as a great statesman. It is the same Hagel who volunteered for service in Vietnam, where as an infantry soldier and squad leader he earned two Purple Hearts. It is the same Hagel whose nomination has been endorsed by the most respected names in the Republican foreign-policy establishment, including Gen. Colin Powell, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Brent Scowcroft and former senators Richard Lugar and John Warner. Those men earned their reputations back when the Republican Party was still quite sane on such issues, and they must be privately horrified by what has happened to it since.
Part of this can be explained as payback for Hagel, who dared to break with his party by sharply criticizing both the U.S. decision to invade Iraq and the militaristic, imperial mindset that drove that decision. McCain, Cheney and others viewed that as an act of betrayal. Hagel has also dared to suggest, in public, that the best interests of Israel and the best interests of the United States might not always be in perfect alignment, which is both obviously true and apparently must never be uttered.
At its most basic, however, the GOP decision to filibuster Hagel has little to do with the nominee himself. It is instead an act of foot-stomping, preening petulance by politicians who are frustrated by their own increasing irrelevance. It allows them, for a time, to feel as though they matter. They do not seem to realize that the act itself compounds their political isolation. It becomes further evidence that obstructionism is all they can muster and that their romance with extremism continues.
Put another way, they pull stunts like this because they are frustrated by losing. And they are losing because they pull stunts like this. It’s a spiral that they cannot bring themselves to break.
– Jay Bookman
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404 comments Add your comment
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:04 am
barking – 9:58 – yay! I’ll play. what in that statement was incorrect?
Doggone – 9:59 – I’ve been saying this for the last 3 years and I’ll say it again – this new-fangled GOP that wants to canonize Reagan would actually HATE him if he held office today.
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
10:05 am
Sure USinUK..and Debbie Wasserman Shultz was publicly criticizing him for doing exactly as she did….of course that last part came out latter…
but hey, blinders look good on you
rightwingextreme
February 15th, 2013
10:06 am
I find it very ironic that the left is having a hissy fit over this considering how they excoriated Judge Robert Bork.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
10:06 am
USinUK – former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
9:54 am
Maybe it is Mike…he finally came out.
Mick
February 15th, 2013
10:06 am
johnny reb squawks:
Benghazi!
LeeH1
February 15th, 2013
10:07 am
“Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas demanded access to years of Hagel’s financial records, well beyond those requested of any other Cabinet nominee, explaining that “it is at a minimum relevant to know if that $200,000 that he deposited in his bank account came directly from Saudi Arabia, came directly from North Korea.”
Hmm. This was the same info I wanted with Mitt Romney (remember him?) and his tax returns. The Republicans defended him not showing his crazy tax returns like other candidates, including his own father did, but they are howling for this guy’s records. I guess the silly Republicans think that it is more important to be Secretary of Defense than it is to be President of the US.
alex
February 15th, 2013
10:07 am
Hagel is not liked by the repubs, Obama knew that and decided to nominate him anyway. Obama has not “worked” with the congress well and with his reelection feels less inclined to do so. Note, he goes on”the campaign trail” to sell his ideas”that has not been the best approach for congress,amd being the old club,they don’t like it. Yes, they are yankin his chain,no folks he is not invulnerable and no folks this is not a long term problem as he will pass when he comes up for vote late Feb. Senate repubs (and House) want the administration to know that there IS a congress.
The real question, did any of you syncophants for the adminstration actually watch the hearings? I guess Jay did not…….From my perspective, put up a disliked man who is completely unprepared and this is what you can get from an angry group of senators. “you reap what you sow”
DownInAlbany
February 15th, 2013
10:08 am
Are there partisan politics at play here? Did the sun rise in the east this morning?
There are relevant questions from the Armed Services Committe that have yet to be answered. “The State Department has become adjunct to the Israeli Foreign Minister’s office” he is quoted as saying. A published copy of Hagel’s prepared remarks indicated that he had called for the opening of a new U.S. consulate in Tehran, despite Iran’s continued defiance and belligerence. Answer the questions, and we can proceed. Simple enough?
Call it drudgey spam. Call it anything you like. Is this the man that you really want as SOD?
Steve
February 15th, 2013
10:08 am
yawn
Thomas
February 15th, 2013
10:08 am
Senate Republicans shame themselves
Not a bit- called politics and works both ways. If our extreme left and right media would take the cameras off of DC they would be forced to act more like adults. Until then extreme media is a self fulfilling negative prophecy. Those who begin and end every time thinking that 50% of Americans are stupid, uninformed, etc. are themselves the most ignorant folks in the country.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:09 am
Veterans, and not just us Nebraska versions, LOVE Chuck Hagel.
The guy is solid and a BIG ally of the military man – not just a big talking, do nothing “Support the Troops” actor like the chickenhawks in his party.
The great irony is that he was absolutely dead red in his voting record – across the board.
The ONLY thing that the Bushbots hate about him is that he did the unthinkable – he showed the moral courage to stand up to Bush/Cheney’s horrifically botched invasion and occupation of the wrong country.
In 2007 Hagel introduced Senate Amendment 2032, amending the Defense Authorization bill limiting the deployment of U.S. service members serving in Iraq 12 months. The amendment needed 60 votes in the senate to pass, but was ultimately defeated in 52-45 vote. In 2008 Hagel was a principal co-sponsor with two other veterans in the Senate of Senator Jim Webb’s “21st Century GI Bill” which passed congress as the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, expanding education assistance to veterans who served after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The never-served pansies here and in Washington who don’t think he is qualified are, what is the word, Jay?
Oh yeah, irrelevant…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:09 am
“Sure USinUK..and Debbie Wasserman Shultz was publicly criticizing him for doing exactly as she did….of course that last part came out latter…”
so, it’s not that I’m wrong, it’s that DWS said something that you don’t like.
be sure to lift with your knees when you move those goalposts … would hate for you to strain something.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:11 am
Corbin 10:06 – a little Victor / Victoria action going on … interesting!
jconservative
February 15th, 2013
10:11 am
Actually the failure to approve the nomination is a waste of money. There is a meeting of NATO defense ministers next week and it would have been an opportunity for a new US Secretary of Defense to meet all of his NATO colleagues. Now the US will spend several million dollars flying him around Europe to meet the same people over the next few months.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:13 am
Gee thanks for the obligatory suggestion that one of our political parties is akin to Nazism…helpful.
Maybe not helpful, just truthful. The post-Nixon GOP has become very fascistic and the evidence is irrefutable.
To be fair, why not offer similar comparison of current administration and lefties in general to socialism and its offshoots..?
I have asked that someone here make a cogent list repeatedly, but alas….
Get Real
February 15th, 2013
10:13 am
I am holding out on judgement until I see if any Democrats jump on borad the “decline” train. As usual, Jay is quick to judge/condemn Republicans and is an excuse machine for Democrats
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 15th, 2013
10:13 am
Corbin, it appears that RB’s claim about military voting is weakly true…but very weak and since this is a 4 year old poll, may even be untrue today. But truth/evidence don’t matter to those who suffer ODS
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118684/Military-Veterans-Ages-Tend-Republican.aspx
Jefferson
February 15th, 2013
10:14 am
Those same republicans will allow the auto budget cuts to go thru, then vote for spending increases for defense, shell game for those bastids.
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:14 am
“this new-fangled GOP that wants to canonize Reagan would actually HATE him if he held office today”
No argument from here
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
there is no defense for this behavior heheh,
and karma takes too long
Jefferson
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
Which shows the truth is :
Reasonable people can come to reasonable conclusions under reasonable conditions, unless you are a republican.
The children are beginning to recite it in the elementary schools…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
Jam – “The post-Nixon GOP has become very fascistic and the evidence is irrefutable.”
You know I love you – but the only people who are Nazis are actually, you know, NAZIS
The more we compare people to Nazis, the more we reduce the actually atrocities
so, in other words, lay off the Nazi comparisons. They’re not rounding people up and shipping them off to camps.
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
“I find it very ironic that the left is having a hissy fit over this considering how they excoriated Judge Robert Bork.”
Bork was filibustered by HIS OWN PARTY? That’s news to me.
комиссар (Occupation)
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
Herman: “Hagel was once a good man, then sold his sole to the devil to support Obama”
Revealing comment. So tell me, why exactly is the correct interpretation here that Hagel is being a traitor, and not, say, that Obama is seeing the light on this important issue by appointing a Republican to fill a post as critical as Defense?
Rough Road For The Chuck Wagon – ABC News (blog) | Devise Hive
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
[...] Not So Concerned About HamasHuffington PostObama agenda: Sticking by HagelNBCNews.com (blog) With Hagel filibuster, Senate Republicans shame themselvesAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Washington Post (blog) -MSNBC -Christian Science [...]
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:16 am
The FAR bigger shame is that Senate Democrats haven’t passed a damn budget in 4 years
Nominated! Dumbest post of the the week! Seconds?
Politically Speaking
February 15th, 2013
10:17 am
It is not difficult to understand this filibuster. The radical right wing of the Republican party has decided to refuse to cooperate on anything with this administration. It is a childish game of if I can’t have my way, I’m going to mess things up for everybody. They didn’t win the White House, so they would rather destroy the entire country than govern it. Fortunately, even the most dull witted Tea Party backers are beginning to see through their obstructionist practices. I just hope that they don’t destroy the entire country like they have destroyed their own political party before disappearing.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
10:17 am
Republican Politics explained in less than a minute…
http://www.upworthy.com/the-simpsons-perfectly-sums-up-us-politics-in-less-than-a-minute?c=upw1
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:18 am
Deep thought:
If someone shameless shames themselves, does a Pope resign and poop in the woods?
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
10:18 am
@DownInAlbany
Would you not want to talk with your adversaries instead of volunteering our military for war?
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:18 am
“Bork was filibustered by HIS OWN PARTY?”
should have been.
George M. Doran
February 15th, 2013
10:20 am
Why does it surprise anyone (especially someone from Georgia) that the the Republican Party would disparage a decorated war hero, and a wounded one at that. Do you not remember what Saxby Chambliss said about Max Cleland, questioning his patriotism, when he not only earned a Purple Heart but nearly died and left major parts of his body in Vietnam, in service to his county.
The voters of Georgia should hang their heads in eternal shame for swallowing that Republican line of drivel and electing Saxby The Chicken Hawk to the Senate. Oh, yeah–Remember what they said about John Kerry and his horably earned medals!
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
10:20 am
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 15th, 2013
10:13 am
Keep,
I thought so. Most young veterans I’ve talked to these days are backing our current President…They like that he wants to keep them alive.
Jerry G
February 15th, 2013
10:20 am
Love this: “It is instead an act of foot-stomping, preening petulance by politicians who are frustrated by their own increasing irrelevance. It allows them, for a time, to feel as though they matter.”
Keep ‘em coming, Jay.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:20 am
This is the very same Chuck Hagel whom John McCain once lauded as a likely secretary of state in a McCain White House. It is the same Hagel whom Mitch McConnell has praised in the past as a great statesman. It is the same Hagel who volunteered for service in Vietnam, where as an infantry soldier and squad leader he earned two Purple Hearts. It is the same Hagel whose nomination has been endorsed by the most respected names in the Republican foreign-policy establishment, including Gen. Colin Powell, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Brent Scowcroft and former senators Richard Lugar and John Warner. Those men earned their reputations back when the Republican Party was still quite sane on such issues, and they must be privately horrified by what has happened to it since.
I guess I should say, Jay, that your dope-slap of these vain, horrible Senators is both appropriate to the deed being committed, and deeply pleasurable to read.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
10:21 am
when their ideology is bankrupt & rejected, they fling poo
what a strategy, really
alex
February 15th, 2013
10:21 am
@ jam vet, glad you like him, I am not a vet. I did not like his hearings performance and saw him to be completely unprepared . Sure he has good attributes. He is charged with defending the entire poulation of the USA. Anyway, this is posturing..and to a large degree brought on by Obama’s arrogance and the GOP senate anger…GOLLY, Shazam.. Jays histrionics aside..this too shall pass. Jay, you ever noticed the louder and more histerical people are , the less rational they are….to paraphrase Kahneman: “too much system 1″
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
10:21 am
be sure to lift with your knees when you move those goalposts ….
but I didn’t
Escaped from Email Purgatory
February 15th, 2013
10:21 am
Bookman,
Your feigned outrage at the exercise of national politics as usual is comical.
At least I hope your righteous indignation is a put on – you can’t really be this much of a parlor liberal prig, can you?
Of course the democrats are completely above such despicable behavior.
You and your faithful following never pass up a chance ridicule John McCain.
Your prerogative; and sometimes you’re correct. He should be ashamed of some of his recent conduct.
But your blogs offer no deference to McCain’s distinguished military service. But Chuck Hagel, all of a sudden, is Audie freakin’ Murphy – and his service somehow makes him off limits as a foil of politically motivated maneuvering.
How dare the Right question his patriotism.
One of Obama’s boys is being abused by the irrelevant Right; and Bookman’s selective outrage is barely contained.
And if the GOP is so irrelevant, why do you devote so much of your attention to them? About 80% of your blogs are screeds against the GOP and those like them.
Wouldn’t your valuable time be better spent concentrating on the new American Utopia being crafted by the tall thin black man, in whom you place your blind faith and trust?
I often hear the comment that the cons need to get over it. Obama won.
Yes he did. So I’ll offer you the same advice. Get over it.
Veteran Observer
February 15th, 2013
10:22 am
The real person who is irrelevant is the lame duck president! The Republican senators are doing their jobs and reminding this inexperienced community organizer that he needs to step up and work with them to solve the financial problems facing our country! Instead, he is traveling around the country campaigning for programs we do not have the money to fund! Unfortunately for all of us, his lack of leadership skills and basic common sense make him a buffoon to be pitied as he squanders any possible legacy he might have had! His lies to the American people have gotten him elected twice, but his stubbornness and imperial manner does’t permit him to work with Congress and get things done!
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:22 am
“so, in other words, lay off the Nazi comparisons. They’re not rounding people up and shipping them off to camps”
But that was not the be-all and end-all of Nazism. It was a result of it, but the tenets are still alive and well and supported variously around the world as we speak. The difference being that the Nazis brought them under one all-encompassing umbrella.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:22 am
the only people who are Nazis are actually, you know, NAZIS
The more we compare people to Nazis, the more we reduce the actually atrocities
so, in other words, lay off the Nazi comparisons. They’re not rounding people up and shipping them off to camps.
This, this, many times, this.
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:23 am
F. Sinkwich O’s track record is considerably better than Chaney’s on any subject you choose but particular on national security.
Johnny Redneck, the Democrats are one vote away from carrying the vote. Reed had to vote for the filibuster on some parliamentary procedure which trims the two vote shortage to one. And several Republicans have stated they will not hold the country hostage on petty politics. Georgia may want a filibuster for what reason God only knows but the country as a vast majority will be looking for blood if the right holds this up any longer.
weetamoe
February 15th, 2013
10:23 am
I watched the entire open Senate hearing. The Hagel I once admired was not there. The latest incarnation of Hagel appeared lazy, confused, and quite frankly, stupid. He has always seemed a very angry man, which I assumed was a result of his horrific childhood. But that alone would be no reason to reject him. He just does not seem smart enough for the position.
However a party and a president that had no concern for the morality of calling a good and decent man like Romney a felon can not claim the high ground in this dispute.
Is Oscar the blade Runner part of the mau-mau faction of the Kikuyu?
barking frog
February 15th, 2013
10:23 am
USinUK
Do you honestly believe that President Obama did
not foresee this happening and is prepared for it.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:23 am
ex-pat, I did not use the word Nazi. Nor did jimbojoker. We both use the correct word, fascist.
And the American right wing now leans heavily towards fascism. This has been widely documented as the list provided by jimbojoker shows.
Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes.
That today’s right wing extremists in the GOP have taken up numerous of those very positions of the great fascists in history is accurate.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:24 am
JAY:
Uh ………… and who was it the Democrats tried to fillibuster in 2006?
You shame yourself with your HYPOCRISY !
“The Democrats had been using the filibuster to prevent the confirmation of conservative appellate court candidates nominated by President George W. Bush. In the Republican-controlled 108th Congress, ten Bush judicial nominees had been filibustered by the minority Democrats. The ten Bush appellate nominees who were filibustered were Miguel Estrada, Priscilla Owen, Charles W. Pickering, Carolyn Kuhl, David W. McKeague, Henry Saad, Richard Allen Griffin, William H. Pryor, William Gerry Myers III and Janice Rogers Brown.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_14
“Alito’s supporters garnered a dozen more votes than the 60 they needed to choke off a Democratic filibuster effort, which would have allowed debate to continue indefinitely.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/30/AR2006013001021.html
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:24 am
the tenets are still alive and well and supported variously around the world as we speak
DGA, I get your point, but I would much, much prefer to let the other side step into that rhetorical trap.
How unprecedented is the Hagel filibuster? – Washington Post (blog)
February 15th, 2013
10:24 am
[...] Once Not So Concerned About HamasHuffington PostObama agenda: Sticking by HagelNBCNews.com (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -MSNBC -Christian Science Monitorall 787 news [...]
F. Sinkwich
February 15th, 2013
10:25 am
“this new-fangled GOP that wants to canonize Reagan would actually HATE him if he held office today”
No, but actually:
“this new-fangled euro-socialist dem party that wants to canonize JFK would actually HATE him if he held office today”
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:25 am
“should have been”
I’ve got no argument with that either!
j
February 15th, 2013
10:25 am
I like Hagel because he will be the first enlisted man to be sec of defense. There is too much castigating the republicans. we are headed towards socialism.
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2013
10:26 am
Has anyone else noticed that Erwin’s polaroids only allow his perceptions of left-wing bias to pass through while completely reflecting right-wing bias. He’s such the independent.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:26 am
Uh Oh ……….. that pesky “Global Warming” again !
Headline: “Nearly 1,000 injured by meteor explosion in Russia”
http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/meteorite-falls-in-russian-urals/nWP3J/
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:27 am
And JV, I get that you were being restrained in your own language usage. But it cannot be over-emphasized that actual Nazis hold a unique place in modern history, and to water down the significance of that particular failure of western culture seems to me to be inexcusable.
I seriously doubt you disagree; just want to illuminate this, a bit.
deegee
February 15th, 2013
10:27 am
And we wonder why we can’t recruit reasonable, principled people to run for public office.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:28 am
“but I didn’t”
so, it went from what Harry said (which was correct)
to me defending the Dems no matter what (which was not)
to what Debbie Wasserman Shultz does (who the hell cares?)
but, hey, those goalposts haven’t moved a bit.
Matti
February 15th, 2013
10:28 am
Sometimes, being a hypocritical, two-faced, backstabbing obstructionist is all a GOP Senator has to hold on to.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:28 am
dem party that wants to canonize JFK would actually HATE him if he held office today
Well yeah, today’s Dems would likely probably have a problem with a man who proposed legislation that would enact a top marginal income tax rate of 70%.
Tom Middleton
February 15th, 2013
10:28 am
In other words, the more Republicans stay the same, the more they’re left behind. And the more they’re left behind, of course, the more they hate themselves. Then the more they hate themselves, the more they self-destruct. And the more they self-destruct, of course…
Isn’t it ironic, Jay, that to get out of this hole they’re still digging, they’ll have to embrace the likes of Chuck Hagel just to prove to us they can learn? I mean, hide the guns and ammo, sir, and do it very fast: This bunch has lost their freakin’ minds and it’s most likely to get worse!
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:29 am
“Do you honestly believe that President Obama did not foresee this happening and is prepared for it.”
yes. and Jay knows what you’re going to write before you type it.
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
10:29 am
@Veteran
How can the President work with a House that refuses to acknowledge their own actions?
The House of Representatives voted for spending bills, allocated the money and now refuses to pay the bills they made.
Would you have time to articulate the lies the President has made in his election campaign?
You seem to forget, the President can only propose legislation and agree/disagree to legislation voted from the House and Senate.
Just Saying..
February 15th, 2013
10:30 am
And, in November 2014, ‘Pubs wonder “How did we lose the House?”
TBS
February 15th, 2013
10:30 am
Let the filibuster continue. Hagel will be confirmed.
Those who were counting on a Romney Presidency, can be assured that counting on Hagel as the next SoD is a much safer bet.
curious
February 15th, 2013
10:30 am
Considering about everyone believes Hagel will be confirmed, the Republicans again demonstrated their desire to obstruct government. Most people are growing weary of their tactics.
As for most of the military supporting the Republicans, they should examine the Republican track record on the VA. The Republicans will use them just like any other resource and when it’s consumed forget about it.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:31 am
alex, I heard that his “performance” was not stellar.
So?
Can Herman or Grasshopper or Sink or the other national security experts here tell me EXACTLY why he is unqualified for the position of SecDef?
Of course, not.
THAT is what I want to see and THAT is what will never be forthcoming. Much less convincing.
I’ve read idiotic claims that he is an anti-Semite and that he loves the guys in Iran.
REALLY, cons?
That is the best you have??
Once again, Chuck Hagel, Is across the board, completely aligned with the GOP. I can show you his positions on the issues, along with his voting record – especially on every single vote for aid to Israel – and there can be no intelligent countermanding of those facts.
He told the republic what they already knew – Bush/Cheney were deadly idiots vis a vis their “Crusades”. (Obviously my words, not his.)
And though that too is completely true, the neocons hate that truth, especially regarding George Walker Bush…
indigo
February 15th, 2013
10:31 am
This action against Hagel is nothing more than payback for his daring to be truthful about Bush and Iraq.
This sort of behavior suggests not only a serious lack of maturity but also a complete lack of conscience.
It clear now that Republican voters, for some time now, have been putting into office the worst possible politicians avaliable.
I wonder why that is?
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2013
10:32 am
The FAR bigger shame is that Senate Democrats haven’t passed a damn budget in 4 years
That’s because a damn Democratic budget wouldn’t stand a chance against those damn righteous right wingers.
Rough Road For The Chuck Wagon – ABC News (blog) | P00Y.COM
February 15th, 2013
10:33 am
[...] to highlight his proposals to curb gun …Obama agenda: Sticking by HagelNBCNews.com (blog)With Hagel filibuster, Senate Republicans shame themselvesAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Six questions for senatorsWashington Post (blog)Christian Science [...]
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:33 am
Scout, I try to avoid outright name calling, but your takeaway on the whole Gang of 14 reveals that you’re barely capable of anything but reptilian responses to outside stimuli.
It’s moronic to imagine that citing a case where a) these were JUDICIAL appointees in jeaopardy, not a high cabinet level post; and b) the Democrats BACKED OFF when threatened with the nuclear option by the Republicans.
That you don’t seem to know any of this makes me assume you’re just parroting crap you were fed. Which would be your usual MO.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
10:33 am
this is all part of the cons’ brilliant master plan to make the
kenyan muslin soocialist a one-term president
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:33 am
He just does not seem smart enough for the position.
Please do expound with quotes, facts, etc.
I really would like to see some concrete examples.
Not just opinions…
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:34 am
Weetamoe I always get amused when the right calls anyone stupid. We ain’t that bright here in the middle but thanks to yall on the right we have not had to be.
Angry man? And where do you put Chaney in this scale of an angry?
Never realized O called Romney a criminal. He really didn’t need to call him anything; Mitt and his cronies pretty well spoke themselves into a grave. That was his voice not Obama’s on that tape wasn’t it? Goes back to that stupid stuff yall are always doing and then calling other people mentally handicapped, just can’t believe a word you say. I guess that is liar not stupid but same thing.
YouLibs
February 15th, 2013
10:35 am
Johnny Reb
Thanks for that link.
I don’t know if you’ve heard this or not, but Obama is secretly a Muslim who was born in Kenya who wants to bring down capitalism and replace it with either a socialism or Marxism. The reason these libs don’t know that is because they don’t watch enough of the excellent journalism that goes on at Fox, so thanks for exposing them to it.
Benghazi yesterday, Benghazi today, Benghazi forever!
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2013
10:35 am
And of course scout would attempt to link a meteorite hitting earth with global warming. Then again, Republicans don’t do science (or math). Right, Erwin.
barking frog
February 15th, 2013
10:36 am
Just for a little clarity, all Nazis are fascists but all fascists
are not Nazis.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
10:38 am
Cmon Mike (Berlon), use my bumpersticker idea – BOOTAKOOK 2014
its on your email
комиссар (Occupation)
February 15th, 2013
10:39 am
Aquagirl: “Actually John McCain said “”To be honest with you, Neil, it goes back to– there’s a lot of ill will towards Senator Hagel” in a Faux News interview. It’s not like Jay’s statement personal grudges are involved has no basis.”
But what did said “ill will” originate over? Somebody calling someone a jerk, or not returning someone’s phone call? This is not about personal matters. If Hagel had not made statements that by exposing sacred cows as arbitrary were deeply embarrassing to the Washington foreign policy establishment, but most of all the pro-Israel lobby, the current spectacle would not have been possible. But it is the policy, which is to say political, positions that are ultimately at stake with Hagel that are the key drivers of this obstruction, not personal.
TBS
February 15th, 2013
10:40 am
What does Hagel have to do with Benghazi?
If you say nothing, then why are both McCain and Graham tying information to Benghazi as some of their reasons for holding up Hagel?
It is another political game that they will lose? And YOU know it but it makes for great talking points on talk radio and right wing websites.
Hagel will be confirmed. Get used to it and get over it. It can be next week or two weeks, but it is going to happen.
Thanks for playing.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:40 am
Taxpayer:
“And of course scout would attempt to link a meteorite hitting earth with global warming. Then again, Republicans don’t do science (or math). Right, Erwin.
LOL ! You took the bait !!!
Here’s what your liberal CNN had to say :
Headline: “CNN anchor questions whether global warming to blame for asteroid”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/11/cnn-anchor-blames-asteroid-on-global-warming/#ixzz2KyzRaWl6
ARF! ARF!
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:40 am
Cmon Mike (Berlon), use my bumpersticker idea – BOOTAKOOK 2014
heh, heh, heh.
(it is much funnier if you’ve ever actually met Mr. Berlon, and trying to imagine his physical reaction to such a proposal…)
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:41 am
Bottom line:
If Democrats try to fillibuster it’s just fine.
If Republicans try it …….. oh, the horror !
WHAT HYPOCRISY !
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:41 am
your liberal CNN
like I wrote: moronic.
Here’s a shovel, Scout. Keep digging.
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:41 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801 judges are for life and should be non partisan. Cabinet members in this case are less than 4 years and serve the president. That is why this is historic, no other time in American history has a cabinet member’s conformation been filibustered. You guys are a real trip. Newt taught you this nasty little game and now as the country gets sicker and sicker of it, look at the approval ratings, you pull it out again like there is no tomorrow. And that is it, there is no tomorrow for the Republican Party. Please keep be stupid, it makes it a lot easier for our side.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:42 am
Benghazi yesterday, Benghazi today, Benghazi forever!
George Wallace, who would be a good Republican nowy, would love it!
Jefferson
February 15th, 2013
10:42 am
The GOP is just a bunch of DUMB people, nothing you can do for someone if they a f’d in the head.
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:42 am
“and to water down the significance of that particular failure of western culture seems to me to be inexcusable”
And yet…to ignore trends that point in the same, or similar, direction might also end up being inexcusable.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:43 am
If Democrats try to fillibuster it’s just fine.
No, Scout. When the Dems were threatened with the nuclear option, they caved.
Just admit you’re wrong (yet again) or leave, Scout. Ain’t that hard.
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
10:43 am
TP
honestly, I try to point out the hypocrisy on both sides, but on this blog there has never been a need to show the hypocrisy of the right…too many on this blog usually beat me to it…but the hypocrisy of the left is rarely questioned here.
julia
February 15th, 2013
10:43 am
seriously, the GOP HAS NO SHAME However, their actions do bring shame on this entire nation.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:43 am
And yet…to ignore trends that point in the same, or similar, direction might also end up being inexcusable.
no argument here.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
10:44 am
If god has a sense of humor and he did hit us with a meteorite, this would be ground zero…
http://creationmuseum.org/
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
10:44 am
Isn’t he the ass clown who hates gays, jews, voted for the patriot act, pretty much hates everything and everybody?
I can’t figure out why the Republicans won’t vote for him, but more than that, why the hell did the president NOMINATE this piece of crap?
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:44 am
“That’s because a damn Democratic budget wouldn’t stand a chance against those damn righteous right wingers”
and would be completely meaningless, even if it DID pass
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
10:44 am
“Just admit you’re wrong (yet again) or leave, Scout. Ain’t that hard.”
is this up for a vote?
barking frog
February 15th, 2013
10:45 am
Julia
seriously, the GOP HAS NO SHAME However, their actions do bring shame on this entire nation.
…………………………………………………..
and they are not ashamed of it….
Soothsayer
February 15th, 2013
10:46 am
“Hagel has also dared to suggest, in public, that the best interests of Israel and the best interests of the United States might not always be in perfect alignment, which is both obviously true and apparently must never be uttered.”
This is why all 435 of our Representatives and all 100 of our Senators live in mortal terror of AIPAC.
What they’re doing — through their stooges — is making an example of Chuck Hagel for the entire world to see. Shameful!
If any of you can’t understand why I rail against the undue influence Israel has on our country, this is the perfect example.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
10:47 am
New from Fox News, The Ural meteor was not, in fact a meteor, but a North Korean nuclear missile that was shot at San Francisco…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:47 am
WHAT? Trouble in liberal Minneapolis? Say it ain’t so !
” ‘Race riot’: South High School students said the melee was the culmination of ongoing racial tensions between black and Muslim teens.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278928/Minnesota-high-school-placed-lockdown-cafeteria-food-fight-turned-huge-brawl-racial-tensions-black-Muslim-students.html#ixzz2Kz1EjIYf
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:48 am
Isn’t he the ass clown who hates gays, jews
…and Kwanzaa is a “racist holiday.”
jeez, is the stupid contagious? someone quarantine Scout already.