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-- Ex-Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to John McCain (R-AZ) in a tense exchange with McCain pressing Hagel on whether he was right or wrong about the surge in Iraq. McCain proposed and supported the surge. Hagel opposed it. It’s the issue many believe came between the two previously longtime friends and Vietnam veterans.
These were pretty close runners up that may have summarized a day that saw Hagel on the defensive in rocky testimony, as he tried to defend past comments:
"The bigger point is, what I was saying, I think..."
"I suppose if I had a chance to edit a lot of things in my life, I'd be pretty busy."
"I said what I said, but I'll say this to you..."
"What I meant to say, should have said..."
"That's exactly correct; I guess I didn't say it that way."
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Frankly speaking, it's not really McCain v Hagel, but rather McCain v McCain.
The man can't stand himself and with just about everyone he speaks to, his own ability to not look in the mirror and deal with that reality shows itself more and more.
Interesting theory, Allen. Maybe McCain thinks that if he tries to bully everyone else, we'll all forget how he let himself get bullied into having to waste his entire presidential campaign pretending that Sarah Palin was qualified to be Vice President of the United States?
Hey, if I'd done that, I'd have a hard time facing myself in the mirror every day, too.....
It really is sad. He is a man clearly shadow boxing with history. I'm certain it just seemed like yesterday when he envisioned a good perception of what the Country would feel when they spoke of him, but with each sentence and each stance the man takes, he sees he can't win the boxing match, so as what most people in high places do, especially males, they try to 'use' their position and force the respect.
Some will give it...but most will not. In the end Senator, you will lose...not because the Country took their respect away from you, but because you have taken the respect away from yourself.
Steeler Fan,
Could you imagine? I still *shudder* at the thought of her anywhere near the WH!
I will never be able to forgive the senile old coot for unleashing the "hell-hound" on the lower 48!
Thank GAWD her 15 minutes finally expired!
Hopefully Chik Fil-A is looking to hire a seasoned fry cook! lol
Hey Feisty, are you trying to start a rumor that Steeler Fan and I are the same person?
Heck, I don't even like the Iggles, let alone the Steelers..... :)
HOLY Sh!t!!!
How did THAT happen?
I even had my glasses on! lmao
Apologies! ☺
Republicans: "D'oh!"
JoAnne---you can be an honorary member of Steeler Nation--I'll even get you a Terrible Towel!! And you are welcom to root for the Penguins, too. Our friendship does NOT require that you root for the Pirates.
When I read your comment about McCain being bullied, I thought you were referring to the fact that the GOP under Bush treated him to shamefully with its racist remarks about his daughter yet he turned the other cheek and stayed in the party. I wonder if it eats at him today and is the source of his anger.
Apologies!
None needed, GF - hey, after people confusing me with JoAnnaSmith1 the last three years, I'll take being Steeler Fan any day! ☺
Speakin of *shuddering* lol
Glue factory finally caught up with the old gal!
It's not surprising that Hagel has a lot of spoken nonsense in his history to retract and revise. He was a Republican politician, after all.
Nathan - but he actually appears to be one of the good guys. Okay, there are only two - Hagel and Huntsman!
Your dodging the question just like Hagel. Hagel opposed the surge. The Surge worked. Hagel does not want to admit it worked did because it raises the question of the judgement of this man who will head the military.
It is sad to watch McCain stew in his own bitterness. In the exchange between McCain & Hagel I understood what he was saying and likely so did McCain. History will judge the success of both wars and let's face it, being in any war for 10+ years doesn't seem to qualify as a rousing success. While you can say the surge was successful (if you want), you could also say that accelerating winding down the war instead of a troop surge might have been equally or more successful in saving lives and getting us out of Iraq. With Bin Laden dead, our work in Afg. should be considered done and we should be withdrawing. As I recall, that is why we went there in the first place, right?
The point of this whole thing is, is this man qualified to represent us Americans. He is not some war monger, some terrorist, caught by our government doing bad. He is an appointee by our President, to serve us in this new assignment. The folks, assigned to question, have absolutely no respect. I'd be forced to demand a more civil tonge from the panel, especially McCain. Who does he think he is? He is a Senator, representing the losing party. This bully act needs to go. He needs anger management, or at lease some kind of manors.
I seriously wonder if poor little John is just pissed that he has been nominated for a thing and is taking it out on everyone by being the poster child for bullying.
*hasn't (stupid tablets!) ;-)
Layton, I agree. I'm sure John feels he's the most qualified for any position out there... And he's getting no respect... Of course, he blew any chance of respect with Palin.
As far as sending him home? I've got a hunch Cindy likes him far, far away from AZ...
Layton, I don't know if you were able to see it, but in case you didn't - there was an intriguing segment just now on Rev Al's program with guests former Rep. Patrick Murphy and Jon Soltz. I didn't see the hearing, so I was interested in what they had to say. And what they said nailed it.
John McCain always has to be right.
That pretty much sums up John McCain. No matter how often he's wrong, he just HAS TO BE RIGHT.
No one else. Just him.
Talk to the Hand (or just the middle finger)
There is likely no bigger turd in the Senate punchbowl than the angry, old, PTSD addled McCain. One can only hope that he doesn't keep semi-auto weapons around.
McCain embarrassed himself again. However, Ted Cruz is clearly the biggest turd in the punch bowl. Thanks a lot, Texas!!!
The RNC ordered a massive expansion of punch-bowl capacity in anticipation of the outcome of dry-humping the tea-party for "support"... Apparently it's paying off, because the entire republican party and their benefactors are in the new pool at the same time and seem comfortable. It's really more of a settling pond now anyway.
Where is this story, FR?
news.msn.com/politics/menendez-sex-scandal-allegations-politically-motivated
Michele,
It wouldn’t hurt if you looked before you complain. It was posted early this morning
http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/30/16774243-after-ethics-complaint-sen-menendez-pays-58500-for-two-flights-to-dominican-republic?chromedomain=firstread&lite
P.S. Tell us more about all the members that comment here that are one-in-the-same.
Hagel's not fit to be a dog catcher in Iran. But he should go there and try.
Truth in advertising at last!!!
Your theories really are quite simple! Thanks!
What contrasts we've seen this week from men who lost a Presidential election---John Kerry bidding farewell to the Senate in an eloquent speech and going on to serve his country as Secretary of State. Al Gore publishes a new book looking to the future. And McCain treats us to more rants, anger and bitterness. And of the 3 of them, he has the least to complain about.
McCain is a bitter, petty man. He has seen his once well respected self destroyed by the ugly campaign he ran, the totally stupid VP he selected, and all the angry rants he has spewed since. No one who listens to him can refute that he is still angry about losing in 2008.
How the people of AZ keep electing this man is beyond belief.
I lived in AZ in 94-97, and was impressed by Senator McCain. When he made statements, to the folks from his state, he gave me a sense of caring, and he seemed like he took his job as to be servants of the voters. Now, hes just angry, and has changed to a man of extremism, and someone who fears losing control. When he decided to run for President, the GOP machine went in and trained him to be one of their puppets. At that point, his whole character changed for the worse. It is a shame, but now, he should retire, before he gets the added lose of his senate seat. I think if that happens, it will be so destructive to him, he will die.
The big boys in the party, should replace him on the board, before the whole party loses even more voters.
The only thing i cut slack to McCain on regarding his failed bid for relevancy is that he selected Palin AFTER seeing Romney's actual tax returns and realizing that she, at least, would not be viewed as a felon by the majority of America... And then they went ahead and ran the 'ol Romney-bot anyway... Taking it all the way to election day on a conglomerated and averaged report regarding his taxes... One wherein the penalties and fines paid for hiding money overseas would actually have improved the "look" of the "information" finally provided...
See, the real thing that causes the most chafing in the die-hard, servile, concubine-like republican base is the fact that their "winners" are even worse than their losers. They (the GOP) have no moral compass left whatsoever... Their "followers" just lack the common sense necessary to free themselves from their attachments to ideals their masters don't even represent anymore. It's a hideous form of slavery, serfdom. Fueled by ignorance and driven by fear. 'Merkins to the bone.
Steeler fan, I will agree with you on John Kerry but I have no respect for Al Gore. I voted for Al Gore but since he sold Current TV to Al-Jaezzra I just am not interested in anything he has so say.
It could of been worse; He could of sold to Faux.
Give me a break, Lisa. What harm can al_Jaezzra do with Current TV? Can they do any worse than what Roger Ailes did at Fox??
Scott,I call them like I see them. Have a nice evening.
Soon McCain will go back to being that angry old buzzard standing out in the yard yelling at the clouds.
McCain is a great American, he should be respected as he has a wealth of knowlege and expertise. He is worth listening to. Shame on those who are critical of him,. I don't want to shock you and wake you up to reality, but most people do listen to him. You are in the minority and bet you didn't serve!
Yes, in his day, I respected him also. Now, weather it is his age, his GOP training, or the traumatic lose of his presidential run, He is not that man. His time to step down, is here. This constant anger, to every situation, is not the man of years ago.
Surge ??? give me a break McCain -- Here's the real question -- where are the Invisible WMDs John McCain That Got Us Into That Worthless War To Begin With?
Surge My Back Side -- I was in VN & Iraq -- The Justification For Putting Americans Lives On the Line Was Very Questionable In VN But In Iraq For Something That Never Existed At All -- Invisible WMDs -- And Put Even More At Risk And Fill More Body Bags -- For Your Glory McCain & Bush. I Don't Question McCains Service But I Do Disagree On His Stand Without Justification To Waste More American Lives For Nothing!
The John McCain Of Old Is Gone -- Stop Grand Standing.
CMCPO -- I would recommend you listen to the interview Colin Powell gave with Bill O'Reilly. Yes the WMDs were not found but it was not because any one "lied." Since Gen. Powell has become close to the Democrat party, I believe this should stop the conspiracy theories.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/oreilly-confronts-colin-powell-in-wide-ranging-interview-on-obama-and-gops-racial-politics/
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