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
Lynnie Gal
February 15th, 2013
10:48 am
Ditto, GT. I think the Republicans just can’t help themselves anymore. They’re a knee-jerk reactionary party who says “no” to absolutely everything–even the “Violence Against Women” act. What’s the message they’re sending? That the GOP is PRO violence against women. They like it because their base of white angry men like “putting women in their place” even if that means smacking ‘em around a little on weekends. The GOP boys are indicating by their obstruction of this Act that they favor allowing drunk men to batter their wives and girlfriends, or maybe sisters and mothers, because after putting away a few six packs during the football game played out on the 80′ TV in their trailer, they just want a little fun, watching the wife and kids cower in the closet in fear. The GOP must, after all, pander to its base. Any woman who votes for these “men” in the House who are refusing to pass the Violence Against Women Act are self-hating sycophants.
stands for decibels
February 15th, 2013
10:48 am
I think I might be catching it. Time to self-deport…
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
10:49 am
The failure to pass a Budget and the filibuster are parallel occurrences.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/02/parliamentary-procedure
TBS
February 15th, 2013
10:49 am
In the last two weeks the right is down to, did Obama shoot skeet or not and let’s tie Benghazi to Hagel’s inevitable nomination so we can get a pr victory if nothing else
Looks like a winning hand if there ever was one………
And Obama is a mediocre President.
Republicans would really be in trouble if he was a good President, but I guess you can still win when your competition is what it is at this point in time
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
10:50 am
USinUK
not quite…I’m attempting to show that the rules of scrutiny are different for you depending on party affiliation and the hypocrisy of supporting and defending only one side when both sides do it…I accept the hypocrisy of both parties where as you defend it…but just for the left
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
10:50 am
“However, their actions do bring shame on this entire nation.”
Funny…I don’t feel any shame. More like awe…in it’s truest sense
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:50 am
They don’t call you the stupid party for nothing. Your own members are begging you to stop being stupid. That is funny, it is like me asking my dog to stop barking. If you are stupid you are stupid, it is not like you have a choice, little like being gay. But the American people have a choice and time and time again they vote against stupid. I love this country!
guy
February 15th, 2013
10:51 am
barking frog is right about not haggling about Hagel. He will still be a puppet of the puppet master,obama. Don’t you just love it?
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
10:51 am
sooo, those of us that are moving forward with or without them, the
next question us numbers guys are asking is, at what point are they
unable to gerrymander themselves some false power?
How low can they go? What is that number? 28%? 19%?
Well, a guy named ‘Gary’ in California is working on a model for
that using some of Nate Silver’s methodology. He is coming up
with around 25-26% approval for it all to unravel for them.
I would think ‘negatives would have to be factored in too,
if somebody has a calculator that goes that high.
I’d be interested in Joe Mama’s take on this, if you’re on here Joe.
guy
February 15th, 2013
10:54 am
GT Excuse me,you do realize who got re-elected? They voted for stupid AGAIN. I am sure you were confused. No problem!
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:55 am
Lynnie Gal check out the number of women in leadership positions in the Republican controlled Congress. I think they make that one woman use the men’s room to cut down on spending. This stuff screams at us, yet they keep acting like they are wearing clothes.
alex
February 15th, 2013
10:56 am
@ Jam, you “heard”, ….and yet you go screaming and calling GOP fascists .. and you “heard”…won’t hold up in a civil conversation, Jam and I suspect by the name calling and histrionics, you know it. Yelling louder, doesn’t help, mabye to comfort you OWN biases, but won’t influence anyone trying to be objective. Your undying support for anything administration- wise..you “heard”.. is disappointing….less noise please.
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
10:57 am
Kwanza IS a racist holiday the creator of this fictional holiday says so himself you twit,
Karenga said his goal was to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.
notice BLACKS, not anyone else. You are right though good thing stupid ISN’T contagious because you would infect the board.
DownInAlbany
February 15th, 2013
10:57 am
Didn’t Hagel admit that his knowledge of certain issues was lacking, but, he could learn? Does this position really lend itself to on-the-job training?
lovelyliz
February 15th, 2013
10:57 am
When do we get to hold the voters who elected Cruz and Inhofe and subject the rest of us to their rantings and ravings accountable?
GT
February 15th, 2013
10:58 am
guy nothing stupid about getting elected President of the United States. That is one trick your side may never know again, because you are stupid!
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
10:58 am
And Obama is a mediocre President.
PROGRESS. For the last four years they have stolen the phrase the left used for Presidnet Bush and called him the WORST President ever lol. He’s now graduated to mediocre……….
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:59 am
And let’s not forget all that DEMOCRAT fillibustering during the Civil Rights legislation era ………..
Oh, the HYPOCRISY ! Oh, the HISTORY !
“Never in history had the Senate been able to muster enough votes to cut off a filibuster on a civil rights bill.”
Hummmm ………….. fillibustering to deny millions of black Americans their rights is o.k.
Hummmm ………….. fillibustering to deny a Secretary of Defense a nomination not o.k.
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Civil_Rights_Filibuster_Ended.htm
Oh, and by the way while I’m at it:
“Every single segregationist in the Senate was a Democrat. Only one of them ever became a Republican: Strom Thurmond.
The rest remained not only Democrats, but quite liberal Democrats. These included such liberal luminaries as Harry Byrd, Robert Byrd, Allen Ellender, Albert Gore Sr., J. William Fulbright, Walter F. George, Russell Long and Richard Russell.”
http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2013-02-13.html#read_more
Aquagirl
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
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.
комиссар, I abbreviated the quote but here’s the rest of it:
“”To be honest with you, Neil, it goes back to– there’s a lot of ill will towards Senator Hagel because when he was a Republican, he attacked President Bush mercilessly, at one point said he was the worst president since Herbert Hoover, said the surge was the worst blunder since the Vietnam War, which is nonsense, and was anti his own party and people,” McCain said.
“People don’t forget that,” McCain continued. “You can disagree, but if you’re disagreeable, people don’t forget that.”
Republican Senators have been quite open about why they’re pitching a fit, it’s not some big secret or anything.
They’re being pretty open about how this hold-up is temporary too, and that they’ll discontinue their filibuster threat later after they think they’ve punished Hagel enough.
If they’re so concerned about policy, they sure are hiding it well. You’d think they’d maybe talk about those policies instead instead of launching a big conspiracy about Hagel’s violation of Reagan’s first law, or Benghazi hearings, or the other reasons they’re OPENLY stating.
Republicans stall Hagel nomination – CNN (blog) | P00Y.COM
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
[...] (blog)Rough Road For The Chuck WagonABC News (blog)Obama agenda: Sticking by HagelNBCNews.com (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -UPI.com -Akron Beacon Journal (blog)all 795 news [...]
In the middle
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
Despite everything being said (insults and all) The problem isn’t congress. They are only doing what their constituants want. The problem (and has been for years) is the closed minded extremists, aided by a dishonest media.
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
Didn’t Hagel admit that his knowledge of certain issues was lacking, but, he could learn? Does this position really lend itself to on-the-job training?
Really? Did you REALLY just type that? So the qualification for all jobs now is OMNIPOTENCE? That means only God can work because he is the only one who know everything……….
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
PROGRESS. For the last four years they have stolen the phrase the left used for Presidnet Bush and called him the WORST President ever lol. He’s now graduated to mediocre……….
Ha!
Soothsayer
February 15th, 2013
11:01 am
A prediction: by 2016, the Republicans will no longer have the Tea Partiers as their members. They will leave the party and start their own third party. Who knows what it will be called (I’m leaning toward The Nut-Case Party).
The Republicans will run a “moderate” (read: less offensive) candidate to try to appeal to a broader base. But, with their voters drawn between Republicans and the
TeaNut-Case Party candidate, Hillary will win with an even bigger margin than that of Obama’s 2nd term.One way or the other, it’s going to be entertaining.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
11:01 am
sfd, so am i waiting breathlessly by my email fer nuthin’?
(i talked to him one time down here, but can’t say i ‘know’ him)
alex
February 15th, 2013
11:02 am
@ Jackie, read the article, love the economist.Parallel occurrences? Do not follow your line of reasoning, explain, please.
In the middle
February 15th, 2013
11:02 am
Enter your comments here
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
11:02 am
Got to run for awhile ……….. everyone be nice.
Even you “fillibustering against Civil Rights Democrats” you !
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
11:06 am
@alex
The filibuster is used to thwart any proposal, therefore, the threat of a filibuster and the import of the budget was designed to set limits on discretionary spending which was thwarted by Budget Control Act which sets limits on discretionary spending.
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
11:08 am
Shooter Jennings (Waylon’s son) will be at the Masquerade April 19th.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhI1FQywuKA
Ronald Reagan
February 15th, 2013
11:10 am
It’s imperative that Barry H. has his point man in place asap in order to fulfill his mandate of destroying our great country. Republicans are our only hope to hold on to whats left of it! With great Senators like Graham, McCain & Rubio, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The Truth Indeed
February 15th, 2013
11:10 am
Why won’t Hagel answer straight up questions with straight answers?
guy
February 15th, 2013
11:10 am
GT There is nothing stupid about how to and then getting elected president. JUST FIND ENOUGH STUPID PEOPLE TO FOOL AND GET THEIR VOTE. I’m sure those who did not vote for George W. Bush were considered stupid at that time by those who did. That means both of us have been stupid before.
Lance in Carrollton
February 15th, 2013
11:12 am
I wonder where Republicans learned how to use the filibuster to obstruct. It is amazing how Jay forgets.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/28/20041228-090340-4897r/
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 15th, 2013
11:12 am
from the Congressional Record –
“According to some estimates we cannot track $2.3 trillion
in transactions,” Rumsfeld admitted.’
now THERE’s a SecDef right therrrre buddy
alex
February 15th, 2013
11:13 am
Jackie, i had presumed that by filibuster you were referring to the Hagel situation which is the thread of this commentary,..I guess not, can’t always follow you…
@ Fred, Kwanza was only for blacks, and something about a dominant culture and you don’t think that implies racism, REALLY?–read it again, READ IT!
appleseed
February 15th, 2013
11:13 am
Dam Fred have you forgotten TD ?
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
11:14 am
More evidence of the so-called conservatives shooting themselves in the foot.
http://news.yahoo.com/house-moves-extend-pay-freeze-fed-workers-085219103–politics.html
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2013
11:15 am
Actually scout, I commented on what you had to say–not CNN. Further, if you are going to deflect with a lame comment such as “here’s what your liberal CNN had to say” (or something like that), the least you could do is show where either I cited CNN or else you could link to something from CNN to show what they had to say rather than to Fox to show what CNN said. I mean, really.
A humanist
February 15th, 2013
11:16 am
I’ll probably be flamed here were I to chant “death to Regressives” so I’ll refrain.
alittlecommonsense
February 15th, 2013
11:16 am
Did Jay say Democrats shamed themselves when they filibustered a couple of Bush’s cabinet nominees? I highly doubt it.
The truth is that Hagel’s collegues in the Senate have a low opinion of him. That opinion was borne out with his poor performance during his confirmation hearings. Does all that add up to filibuster worthy? Maybe, maybe not. Is it more shameful than when Democrats do the same thing? Absolutely not.
I know Jay and you libs on this blog are ultra-partisan, but this is pretty much business as usual in the Senate. Why don’t you save your outrage for something that Democrats aren’t equally guilty of?
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:16 am
Shameless over the Iraq disaster.
God
February 15th, 2013
11:16 am
note to FRED, I don’t work all the time, alittle golf, couple of beers here and there. Theater, love the musicals……I don’t know everything, but I do read a little.
Jackie
February 15th, 2013
11:16 am
@alex
Yes, was speaking of the filibuster of Sen. Hagel AND the whine of the so-called conservatives about the lack of a budget from the Obama Administration.
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:18 am
Are you the same God that told w to occupy Iraq?
Liberal Pariah
February 15th, 2013
11:18 am
This is not revolutionary stuff. Hagel will get a vote eventually and become SecDef…unlike Bush nominee for SecDef John Tower. This still doesn’t descend to the level of the Dems in Tower’s case. Hypocrites have short memories.
TBS
February 15th, 2013
11:18 am
Taxi @ 11:15
Are you surprised?
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
11:19 am
“Reagan’s first law”
Actually…it’s “Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment”
TBS
February 15th, 2013
11:20 am
LP
Tower got a vote and was sent packing. If the same is done to Hagel via a vote then so be it.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
11:20 am
…and yet you go screaming and calling GOP fascists…
No screaming.
Just lots and lots of convincing evidence, from a wide variety of independent sources, that the modern GOP has turned fascistic.
Maybe you should look at jimbojoker’s list again.
And you are certainly free to provide a compelling argument that it is incorrect…
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:21 am
“They deserve a vote.” President Obama.
Aquagirl
February 15th, 2013
11:23 am
Further, if you are going to deflect with a lame comment such as “here’s what your liberal CNN had to say”
I don’t think that was a deflection, he’s been saving that, imagining over and over how posting it would be an undeniable win for…well, something in his head.
There’s a lot of “this will be a total win for me!” junk posted by the scouts of the world, I don’t think they really understand, or care, how their disconnected nutty happy dance looks to anyone else. The guys over at Free Republic or WND will high five and chortle. Maybe you could call it an echo chamber effect.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
11:23 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 15th, 2013
10:59 am
You have to go back to 1964 to prove your point? Scout, you are sad.
комиссар (Occupation)
February 15th, 2013
11:24 am
Aquagirl,
McCain: “he attacked President Bush mercilessly, at one point said he was the worst president since Herbert Hoover, said the surge was the worst blunder since the Vietnam War…”
You don’t think that statement by McCain is political ?
It’s got everything to do with policy, I would argue.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
11:24 am
Oh, and one other thing, alex:
Your undying support for anything administration- wise..
There is no need to resort to outright lying.
I voted against Barack Obama twice and have given him a grade of C-. I have excoriated him repeatedly for being a George Bush, Jr.
Less lies please…
Hmmmmmmm
February 15th, 2013
11:26 am
lol @ USINUK…..
Do you really think that Mitt Romney would put himself in national spotlight and have questionable financial records… LOL, the only thing that seems shadey here is your IQ…
Class of '98
February 15th, 2013
11:29 am
Somebody want to go back and check the archives and see how many times Bookman made McCain out to be a blooming idiot in 2008?
And now Bookman acts like McCain is the wisest of the wise?
Doggone/GA
February 15th, 2013
11:30 am
“Somebody want to go back and check the archives and see how many times Bookman made McCain out to be a blooming idiot in 2008?”
What’s the matter…did you suddently break all your fingers?
Tundra Dude
February 15th, 2013
11:31 am
Albany wrote:
Didn’t Hagel admit that his knowledge of certain issues was lacking, but, he could learn? Does this position really lend itself to on-the-job training?
Exactly what I was thinking…….
back in 2008…….
when McCain admitted he knows nothing about the economy………well, duh…….
Hmmmmmmm
February 15th, 2013
11:32 am
Let’s face it… Both parties are shameless… We need a third party, and we need it NOW…
Class of '98
February 15th, 2013
11:33 am
“What’s the matter…did you suddently (sic) break all your fingers?”
I actually have a job. Somebody has to pay for your food stamps.
DownInAlbany
February 15th, 2013
11:34 am
Fred ™
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
I can always count on you, Fred…to take a question / comment and run with it…out into LEFT field!
Robert Lee - Cogito ergo zoom
February 15th, 2013
11:34 am
……..how many times Bookman made McCain out to be a blooming idiot in 2008?
I think he did that all by himself when he chose Palin as his running mate. I beleive most Americans felt the same which is why Obama won.
Eft banker
February 15th, 2013
11:35 am
Nebraska is not a land of wild-eyed crazies, left or right. Remember, we gave you Johnny Carson and Kool-Aid.
RB from Gwinnett
February 15th, 2013
11:36 am
“Give me a site for that stat, please.”
Do your own homework, Corbin. Prove my statement wrong if you wish.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
11:37 am
Did you really think that Mitt Romney would be more than one-twelfth the man his dad was? (George Romney’s release of his federal tax returns – twelve years’ worth going back to his time as AMC head – was groundbreaking.)
George had vision, respect for the working/union man, championed civil rights and desegregation, came to oppose the Viet Nam war and increased the amount of housing available to the poor.
In other words he was fit to lead.
And his son obviously was not, and the republic could see that from the very get go.
Better luck in 2024…
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:38 am
Just sit back and watch the gop self destruct.
Good times.
Steve-USA (I don't have all the answer's, I don't even know all the questions)
February 15th, 2013
11:42 am
Hagel is a joke. Good job to keep this loser on the sidelines.
driveby
Arms Akimbo
February 15th, 2013
11:42 am
Obama’s goal for cabinet appointees is to surround himself with sycophantic fools who will do only his bidding. He realizes that most of his agenda is DOA because of his lack of ability to put together a bipartisan coalition. Analysts on both sides of the aisle pretty much agree that Hagel will eventually be confirmed. However, his disastrous hearing performance and fundamental lack of knowledge has jeopardized his credibility on Capital Hill.Hagel collapsed before questions he knew were coming in advance in the hearings, yet this is the guy who is supposed to negotiate defense dept. cuts with Pentagon bureaucrats and top military leaders? Jack Lew is no better. In his hearings, it became obvious that his job at Citigroup was merely because of his relationship with the White house and not because of any skills. He was in charge of PE and hedge funds at Citi from 2006-08 and was not aware that the bank had toxic mortgage exposure. Lew was a political pawn to insure that Citi got Federal bailout money. Rather than focus on qualifications, this is another example of Washington political grandstanding and an opportunity for Bookman to criticize the GOP. If the Obama appointees weren’t spineless and had opinions of their own, the confirmation process would be more straightforeward.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
11:43 am
Eft, Nebraska Republicans are nothing like these fanatics and former Klansmen in Dixie.
That is for sure!
They actually have respect for our natural resources (see Keystone pipeline), the value of a public education (much, much higher ratings than all of the southern states) and aren’t all that much into Christian fascism up there.
Corbin, do RB’s homework!
Wonder what Stevie, the winner, is gonna drive-by write after Hagel becomes SecDef!
Aquagirl
February 15th, 2013
11:43 am
You don’t think that statement by McCain is political?
Well it’s all political. Did you mean to imply McCain statement could be paraphrased as “we’re opposing the nomination because Hagel’s statements about the surge lead us to question his evaluation of military tactics?”
Sorry, that’s crap. If you want to cherry pick something about the surge in the middle of a statement that clearly states the problem is what Hagel said about Bush, and how he said it, go ahead and ride the scout train. Cling to your tiny bit of rubbish and wave it around like a demented homeless panhandler, loudly proclaiming that your interpretation is correct.
I dunno why anyone would do that, aside from inflated ego but you’re free to look deluded in the US of A.
Now watch:
Actually…it’s “Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment”
You’re right Doggone, I stand corrected.
That’s what grownups do when they say something wrong. You should try it sometime, I think most people underestimate the reaction to such admissions.
Class of '98
February 15th, 2013
11:43 am
Jay, I will give you credit for one thing: You apparently disregarded the memo sent out to liberal media figures dictating that mock Marco Rubio for, you know, being an actual human being and needing a sip of water to lubricate a scratchy throat.
Anyone who denies that the mainstream media is bent on discrediting conservatives need only to see the ubiquitous reaction to that sip that played out in every conceivable nook and cranny of the liberal media establishment.
The next-day media attacks on whomever gives the Republican rebuttal after the SOTU address has become a farce and a caricature of itself.
I know you were tempted to make fun of his humanly universal need to drink water, but I commend you for resisting it.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
11:44 am
“I’m attempting to show that the rules of scrutiny are different for you depending on party affiliation and the hypocrisy of supporting and defending only one side when both sides do it…I accept the hypocrisy of both parties where as you defend it…but just for the left”
bollocks – If DWS hasn’t filed her taxes correctly, then prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. The question was – was Harry wrong? And he was not. Sorry to see that you can’t accept that fact and want to make it about me. (although I am touched)
Hmmmmm … “Do you really think that Mitt Romney would put himself in national spotlight and have questionable financial records”
yes. and, given his reluctance to release his financials (and even when he did, they were not complete), my opinion is justified.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 15th, 2013
11:47 am
Do your own homework, Corbin. Prove my statement wrong if you wish.
In other words he cant.
DownInAlbany
February 15th, 2013
11:48 am
Hagel supported DADT, voted for all of the Bush wars (has since flip-flopped on that issue), fought again climate control legislation, was/is against abortion except when the mother’s life is endangered, has voted for AND against defense cuts! Yet, now the libs find themselves defending him! Wow, my how time’s that do change!
Hmmmmmmm
February 15th, 2013
11:49 am
@JamVet
We will NEVER know how good a Job Mitt Romney would have done… It’s unfortunate, because he was the best option for this country.. This country has come to a point where there is probably no return from the downward spiral.. Way too many takers and not enough givers.. Kinda sad…
DownInAlbany
February 15th, 2013
11:51 am
Class of ‘98
February 15th, 2013
11:43 am
According to reports, MSNBC has run the watergate clip some 155 times and counting! Naw, they are not in O’s backpocket! Why would you think that?
Class of '98
February 15th, 2013
11:51 am
“I think he did that all by himself when he chose Palin as his running mate. I beleive most Americans felt the same which is why Obama won.”
I hate to question someone’s intelligence on an anonymous blog, but did you completely miss my point?
Bookman is saying that Republicans should like Hagel because John McCain likes him.
Since when does Bookman think John McCain is the model of intelligence and judgement?
Get it?
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:53 am
Panetta goes in and “cleans up” departments of government and makes changes.
Hagel will not do much at Defense because the occupations are over.
He will do okay and not worth a fight but some senators can’t get over losing Iraq to Iran.
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
11:53 am
like I said USinUK
the blinders really do look good on you
DWS was criticizing Mitt’s off-shore accounts while neglecting to disclose her own off-shore accounts. Mitt was never charge with tax evasion..so I’d guess he did everything required of him by law…I don’t blame him for not releasing more of his records after all the BS about the dancing horse he strapped to the roof of his car..not to mention the criticisms of his charitable contributions to his church and others…honestly keep defending the left and demonizing the right for doing the exact same things
to answer the question…was Harry wrong…yes!
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
11:54 am
“It’s unfortunate, because he was the best option for this country.”
okay, I’ll play: why? why was he the BEST option for this country? which policy of his is going to turn us around from the morass you, evidently, see us languishing in? what particular quality does he have that makes him the BEST option (and was it only out of the two or out of the entire GOP field?)
Rightwing Troll
February 15th, 2013
11:55 am
“Got to run for awhile ……….. everyone be nice.
Even you “fillibustering against Civil Rights Democrats” you !”
Sure thing you 47%er and moocher.
Class of '98
February 15th, 2013
11:55 am
DownInAlbany, you are right, but I’m not even concerned about MSNBC. It’s obvious where they stand, which is just to the left of Leonid Brezhnev.
I’m talking more about Comedy Central, Leno, NBC, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, etc.
If Rubio DIDN’T take that sip, they would have found something else to mock. Wiping sweat from his face? That’s my guess.
I surprised they don’t make fun of the size of his ears. Obama has enormous ears too, but a liberals nothing more than some good old fashioned hypocrisy.
JamVet
February 15th, 2013
11:55 am
We will NEVER know how good a Job Mitt Romney would have done…
Which is absolutely fantastic!
He was the worst GOP candidate in nearly a century and portended to be another Bush-like failure.
Good riddance.
As for the now popular takers vs. makers argument, I have become a HUGE fan of that one. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep using it.
And don’t forget to sprinkle in a few gems about how blacks are lazy and stupid and need to get off of the plantation and that women who want comparable rights to men are sluts, prostitutes and FemiNazis, OK?
This should ensure a staggering success for the GOP in 2014!
ty webb
February 15th, 2013
11:59 am
yeah, everyone knows baseless charges supported by no evidence whatsoever are exclusively reserved for senate majority leader Harry Reid(D) to make.
GT
February 15th, 2013
11:59 am
Fred ™ the left didn’t like Hitler either, must confuse you even more.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801 once again for a Constitutional amendment not a cabinet position, a permanent situation and the south in those days were Democrat the same DNA of the Republican Party and the same ignorance. You know the slaves would have never been freed by Lincoln had the south not succeeded from the union, their absence allowed the amendment to pass. They let 10s of thousands of soldiers die for something they could have handled politically much better and we would not be talking about Lincoln being the greatest president. Obama kind of toys with the ignorance of the right too, may be one of the greatest presidents himself. You make us look so much smarter than we really are. Kind of wish you made us work harder, the country would be better off for it.
getalife
February 15th, 2013
11:59 am
class,
Crybaby much?
alex
February 15th, 2013
11:59 am
@Jam so you voted for Romney, then I am mistaken and wrong!
Jackie, I do try to follow you, it’s tough FOR ME, need help.
TaxPayer
February 15th, 2013
11:59 am
I see Erwin is back defending Mitt’s shady dealings while attacking those that don’t defend him.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 15th, 2013
12:01 pm
RB from Gwinnett
February 15th, 2013
11:36 am
Like I thought..you got nothing.
getalife
February 15th, 2013
12:01 pm
“need help.”
Very good alex.
You admitted to needing help.
Good first step for your recovery.
Good luck.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 15th, 2013
12:01 pm
“DWS was criticizing Mitt’s off-shore accounts while neglecting to disclose her own off-shore accounts.”
so, the problem isn’t what Harry said – it’s what DWS said.
nope, no goalposts moved there.
However, you have spurred me to dig in and find out the entire DWS “scandal” … you tell me if you think they are the same:
- DWS invested $15K in a 401K that included some off-shore investments, managed by an American investment company
- Mitt Romney invested $3M in actual offshore accounts held in Switzerland
so, do you REALLY want to continue down this path saying she’s guilty of the same thing and she’s a hypocrite??? (here’s a hint: you really don’t)
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 15th, 2013
12:02 pm
According to reports, MSNBC has run the watergate clip some 155 times and counting! Naw, they are not in O’s backpocket! Why would you think that?
MSNBC is in his back pocket. They dont hide it. They dont say.
We are Fair and Balanced blah blah blah.
Fox News is in the Republicans back pocket. They just lie to their audience about it.
Big difference.
In the middle
February 15th, 2013
12:02 pm
I understand the desire for Democrats to do everything they can to keep Republicans from nominating another Bush like candidate. Based over the comments of Obama and other Dem’s over the last four years, it has become obvious the Bush had incredible power. For years we have been told the Dem’s can’t get anything done because of Bush, and Bush policies are stopping them from accomplishing what they want and the Bush tax cut’s, blah blah blah. Too funny, after so many years Bush still completely owns Obama.
GT
February 15th, 2013
12:02 pm
Still haven’t seen those tax returns so what is baseless about Harry Reid’s statement?
Hmmmmmmm
February 15th, 2013
12:03 pm
@USinUK
Well, for starters.. He was NOT a career politician. He was a success in business… He could balance his check book… I know these things seem basic, but you guys/gals who keep voting for people who have NO success in anything except for reading a teleprompter are a challenged people… Just sayin…
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
12:03 pm
TaxPayer
where’s your fainting couch when you need it?
You know, I wrote a post to you the other night that described why I do, what I do, and how I approach it, in a most sincere manner….but if you want to keep it sophomoric…so be it
indigo
February 15th, 2013
12:05 pm
Silly Jay
Shame is for liberal Democrats
Republicans are immune to shame
Erwin's cat
February 15th, 2013
12:05 pm
Still haven’t seen those tax returns so what is baseless about Harry Reid’s statement?
and what’s proven…I thought it was “innocent until proven guilty” in this country…or does that also only pertain to the left
комиссар (Occupation)
February 15th, 2013
12:05 pm
Aquagirl: “Sorry, that’s crap. If you want to cherry pick something about the surge in the middle of a statement that clearly states the problem is what Hagel said about Bush”
No, that’s not right. What McCain was doing was listing all of Hagel’s supposed offenses in an attempt to malign him. But the smear in this case was piecemeal. One of the offenses was daring to say Bush was the worse pres since Hoover, another was to dare to oppose the orthodoxy that says the surge was a resounding success. But the common thread in all of these things is that Hagel is reprehensible and must be opposed for daring to buck the establishment orthodoxy on a host of sensitive issues — but again, most egregiously, acc. to this view, for bucking it on the all-important Israel-Palestinian issue, which is absolutely unforgivable.
So these objections are ultimately squarely inside the category of policy, ideology.