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Republicans Filibuster Chuck Hagel's Nomination

By Jeralyn, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 09:44:37 PM EST
Tags: Chuck Hagel (all tags)
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Republicans today filibustered the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. Will it matter?

Both sides still think the former GOP senator from Nebraska will be confirmed, but the filibuster brought stark condemnations from Obama and Senate Democrats, who decried it as an unprecedented partisan move against a nominee to lead the Pentagon.

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    Republicans Filibuster Chuck Hagel's Nomination | 40 comments (40 topical)

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    Filibuster reform really worked out well (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by ruffian on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 10:17:21 PM EST
    Thanks Harry.

    And, where's the President (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by NYShooter on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 10:31:23 PM EST
    going on TV, pounding the podium, and showing (teaching) the Public why nothing gets done in Washington. A simple statement like, "I won the election, it's my turn; in four years they'll get their chance again, and if they should win you can bet your bottom dollar The Democrats will honor the choice the American people made, and not use every little trick in the book to try and trip up the President for purely Political gain.

    You want to know why The People's business isn't being done? THIS is why!"


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    The President went out to a (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:11:28 AM EST
    nice restaurant with his wife for Valentine's Day. (NPR.)

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    Well Actually... (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 09:32:39 AM EST
    ...here is the video, not as forceful as I think most of us would like, but he still went on air to complain about the GOP BS regarding Hagel.

    I saw McCain on TV this morning who basically said a lot of R's have ill will left over from when Hagel was calling out Bush.  He didn't even try to act like it had anything to do with the job at hand or Hagels qualifications.  The R's would rather get their pound of flesh then do their GD jobs.  
    LINK, McCain at 5:00 mark.

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    Probably because (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:10:02 AM EST
    He would be called out as a hypocrite.
    As U.S. senators consider whether to filibuster former Senator Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of Defense, they should not be deterred by the widespread myth that filibustering a cabinet-level nominee would be unprecedented. In fact, there have been several filibusters and attempts to invoke cloture (thereby ending filibusters) on cabinet-level nominations. Furthermore, many more Democrats than Republicans have cast votes to continue such filibusters - and such filibustering Democrats include current President Barack Obama and senior Obama Administration officials.

    SNIP

    Cloture was attempted successfully to end filibusters of the nominations of: Dirk Kempthorne for secretary of the Interior in 2006; Robert J. Portman for U.S. Trade Representative in 2005; Stephen L. Johnson for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2005; Michael O. Leavitt for EPA Administrator in 2003; and C. William Verity for secretary of Commerce in 1987.  Every one of these nominees were chosen by Republican administrations and primary support for each filibuster came from Democrats in the Senate including, in some cases, current President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of State Kerry and former Secretary of State Clinton.


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    There is a lot of nothing (none / 0) (#21)
    by CoralGables on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:42:08 AM EST
    in that opinion piece as he admits that a cloture vote ended debate in all of them (as opposed to yesterday) and most weren't Cabinet positions but rather Cabinet-level officers.

    So name one Cabinet position nominee that went down via the filibuster. The author tried and failed despite his headline.

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    Well, (none / 0) (#22)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:50:19 AM EST
    Isn't it the same thing since Hagel's nomination hasn't "gone down" as you say?  This is just a delaying tactic by the Republicans, and according to all accounts, Hagel will be voted in next week or so.

    But my response was to the question as why Obama is not out pounding the podium and screeching about how terrible this is and how a president should get his choices, blah, blah, blah, which actually fits perfectly with the article quoted.

    YMMV.

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    I'll agree (none / 0) (#27)
    by CoralGables on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 09:37:30 AM EST
    that barring unforeseen circumstances Hagel will get his yes vote the week of the 25th.

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    Good question, jbindc (none / 0) (#36)
    by christinep on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 05:56:12 PM EST
    OTOH, sometimes the counter-intuitive approach can work better. That is: WH & Senate immediately, directly lament, etc., these shenanigans of the Repubs...and then, instead of the old-time pounding-of-the-podium and all that (which can be very effective in lots of situations), they step back & the cameras continue to focus on the Repubs falling all over themselves trying to explain why a filibuster is not a filibuster.  The press continues to underscore--on just about every station I've heard--the Repubs' dilemma with its strong impression that they are delaying the Democrats' attempts to move forward with the nation's business.  

    'Doesn't look like Graham's Benghazi diatribe is going anywhere.  nor McCain's "surge hang-u."  Meanwhile, the Democrats may appear to a lot of people to be dedicated, disciplined, and not given to rants & other fits and starts.  Just a thought...after a long election cycle of long verbal matches followed by the "fiscal cliff" noisy posturing.

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    Why? I don' know (none / 0) (#39)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Feb 16, 2013 at 09:21:50 AM EST
    But I do know the Demos won't honor the Repubs selection if they think it will hurt the Repubs and help them.

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    In any event, Hagel shouldn't (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by koshembos on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 10:38:13 PM EST
    be confirmed. His hearing showed him to be not a serious light weight who should not run a corner grocery store let alone DoD.

    Well, Hagel is no Dick Cheney. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by observed on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 10:47:26 PM EST


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    I (none / 0) (#12)
    by lentinel on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 06:58:37 AM EST

    thought that Hagel was befuddled because he was caught between saying what he believes in and what he now finds the administration wants him to say.


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    Some of us are not so sure he was (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 07:11:37 AM EST
    all that befuddled.  He is known for being plain speaking, shuns being an artful liar. But you must downplay a few things about yourself when being grilled for SOD by fellow Republicans when you are Chuck Hagel.  Perhaps Chuck Hagel demonstrated that he still doesn't think being an artful liar is worth practicing and becoming skilled at doing :)

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    For me, (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by lentinel on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:28:18 AM EST
    his not being an artful liar is a plus.

    Not for others, apparently.

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    One things for sure (none / 0) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:30:46 AM EST
    If Iran becomes a nuclear power, Chuck Hagel's subconscious thinks worse things could happen to us :)  Friggin hilarious watching that

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    One thing (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by lentinel on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 10:08:47 AM EST
    I liked about Hagel is that he said that he thought that an attack by the US or one of its surrogates upon Iran would be disastrous.

    That's a plus for me.
    I too think it would be a disaster. A gigantic disaster.

    But that's the thing that got everyone all turned around - including him - being forced to put military action "on the table" when he obviously doesn't believe in it.

    I would never want to represent a policy I couldn't believe in - but apparently the ability and/or desire to do that is a prerequisite for a cabinet position.

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    None of those people... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Dadler on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 11:50:56 AM EST
    ...who rise to that level possess anything more than their wildly inflated egos and completely delusional sense of their own insight and abilities. Anything mildly human they give off purely by accident. There is a political CLASS in this nation, nothing more.  

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    Interesting interview recently (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:40:19 PM EST
    on NPR. A new Congressman. Moderate Republican. He served a couple terms quite a few yrs. ago. Carter was Pres.  He compared the days/hrs./weeks a Congressman worked then compared to now. Disgusting. And he talked about legislation he sponsored then. Always had a Dem. co-sponsor.  If his party colleagues get wind of this interview who knows what punishment they'll impose.

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    It was not so very long ago when I would (none / 0) (#35)
    by ruffian on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 12:56:22 PM EST
    have thought you were overstating it. But now I could not agree more.

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    Chuck Hagel doesn't really do much (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 06:32:24 AM EST
    for me, and I'm not sure he should do much for anyone else, really, but instead of looking at what's really important, we're going to allow ourselves to be manipulated into supporting someone just because a bunch of foot-stamping Senators don't want the president to get his way.

    Lord, I'm sick of this.  

    The idea of Hagel conducting himself as Secretary of State the way he did as the nominee in confirmation hearings doesn't exactly warm the cockles of my heart.  And after the way Hillary Clinton acquitted herself in the position, there's going to be some serious case of culture shock at the State Department when Hagel gets there.  We can only hope it doesn't go from Clinton running rings around everyone to Hagel turning it into a three-ring circus.

    I'm tired of people like Lindsay Graham holding the Senate hostage because he doesn't want to get primaried and lose his cushy job; I'm probably just as tired of everyone of consequence in government coming from the same limited pool.  I mean, out of all the possibilities, Chuck Hagel is the best Obama could come up with?  Jack Lew is the best Obama could come up with - Jack Lew who told the Senate yesterday that we've solved the problem of the Too Big To Fail Banks?  Wow - who knew?

    And don't even get me started on Harry Reid.

    Most of the time I can't believe we actually pay these people to do what they're doing...

    Secretary of Defense (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Zorba on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 06:37:39 AM EST
    Hagel is nominated for Secretary of Defense.  John Kerry is now Secretary of State.  

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    I just realized my goof - of course it's (none / 0) (#11)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 06:56:44 AM EST
    not State, it's Defense...d'oh!

    Guess it's a good thing it's Friday...finally getting over a nasty cold, and I think I'm just cranky.

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    No goof (3.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Politalkix on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 07:30:33 AM EST
    I wouldn't say it is a goof if you have that nasty cold all year round. Perfectly understandable!

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    Goodness... who knew you were that (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:04:02 AM EST
    eager to pounce?  Seemed kind of forced, but whatever.

    Best wishes for your continued good health.

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    It is not a "pounce" (none / 0) (#18)
    by Politalkix on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:17:20 AM EST
    I am standing back (and just indulging in good natured ribbing).

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    Oh, so this is where I (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:50:45 AM EST
    chuckle good-naturedly, I guess.

    Might as well - it's Friday, I am feeling better, and it wasn't the flu - and I can see my grandbaby this weekend without worrying he's going to catch my cold (he already got it from his mom - and we all got it from my other daughter's fiance).

    Parent

    Maybe (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:52:30 AM EST
    periodically, if you weren't feeling so blue....

    <snark>

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    Oh, please, I beg you - let's not (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 10:48:40 AM EST
    go there...I may be feeling better, but I don't want to risk a relapse - too much to do this weekend!

    I will trust that the original comment was made in the good-natured spirit claimed, and move on.

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    That was such a witty and intelligent snark! (none / 0) (#32)
    by DFLer on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 11:52:33 AM EST
    Are you a member of Menses?

    <punctuation>

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    Apparently, Anne (none / 0) (#29)
    by sj on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 10:36:30 AM EST
    That is what passes for humor in the world of the True Believer.

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    I (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by lentinel on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 06:54:18 AM EST
    will not be surprised if Hagel finds himself under the well-worn bus. I thought that the administration kind of inferred that it was ready to do that when some insiders trashed Hagel's performance during his confirmation hearings.

    Of the people you mentioned, Hagel and Jack Lew ... to me the worst person to have been foisted upon us by Obama is John Brennan. By far. Drones and torture. Hard to top that.

    You mentioned Lindsay Graham.
    And then there's Boehner.

    It occurs to me that they seem to wield inordinate power.
    And it also occurs to me that every time Obama feels the need or desire to gush over some rightwing azzholes (as he did at the SOTU citing McCain and Lieberman for their marvelous "market-based" proposals) it only emboldens the republicans to behave as they do.

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    Sigh (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 11:56:28 PM EST
    Hardly a stellar pick.....sigh.  Republicans eating Republicans....sigh.  Filibuster.....sigh.  Stupid all the way around......so much stupid it doesn't even hurt anymore, stay the course until you set the whole place on fire.....SIGH

    Even Scott Brown doesn't want to be a (none / 0) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 11:59:20 PM EST
    Senator anymore.  He'd rather be on Fox News than run for that office.

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    Several Republicans (none / 0) (#14)
    by CoralGables on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 07:15:54 AM EST
    said their vote would likely change with the next vote after the weeklong break to celebrate what most the country does in one.

    For some reason they felt they were making a point yesterday. McCain, Corker, Hatch, and Alexander (and only one more yes vote is needed) sound as if they will vote to end debate on the 25th, letting Lindsey continue to act like a tough guy as he pretends to be as crazy as Ted Cruz.

    Just another day in the Republican Fluffery Party.

    The Republicans breaking with their party and voting yes yesterday were Collins (Maine), Murkowski (Alaska), Cochran (Mississippi), and Johanns (Nebraska).

    The game playing is what drives me batty (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by ruffian on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 09:21:38 AM EST
    Hagel is going to get confirmed, the rest is all kabuki. Can't take it anymore.

    I am no big fan of Hagel, or even mad about Obama not getting his way immediately. But the blather about this we are going to have to endure from the likes of Graham for the next two weeks is going to put me over the edge.

    These people don't care a fig about any issue they claim to be standing up for - it is all about what they owe to their paymasters.

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    Girlfriend I love it if Hagel is a certainty (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 17, 2013 at 09:17:55 AM EST
    Go Graham Go!  Pitch a whining grinding moan heard around the world.  My chicken hawk cousins are eating it with a spoon.  Then Hagel gets in, with Obama promotes a less militarily aggressive America but still the guys who got bin Laden.  Hagel successfully serves at Obama's side gift wrapping his Iraq War and surge comments for eternity.  Go Graham Go, grind it in, shoot out the moon.

    That's why McCain has backed off.  He knows just a bit about that after war history thing when all that remains is brokenness and we all stand around blinking back at each other trying to remember why we we sent our children there.  The documentaries are being written with every word coming out of their mouths.

    That is the only reward any of us will see from the Iraq War, the history that will educate an entire nation.  That will help prevent NeoCons destroying our children for nothing if we are attacked again.

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    It'll shatter the Republican Party (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 17, 2013 at 09:20:10 AM EST
    More as well.

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    Yeah my blood's so mad, it feels like (none / 0) (#33)
    by brodie on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 11:54:56 AM EST
    coagulatin'. I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'.  I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation.

    And a handful of senators don't pass Chuck's nomination ...

    Think of all the hate (none / 0) (#34)
    by DFLer on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 12:24:28 PM EST
    there is in Red China. Then take a look around at Selma Alabama!

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    Republicans Filibuster Chuck Hagel's Nomination | 40 comments (40 topical)

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