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Subscribe to RSSThe committee vote for Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary is set for tomorrow.
Top Republicans on the committee are threatening a walk out, but John McCain (R-AZ) isn't one of them.
“I will not participate in any walkout of tomorrow’s Committee vote – an action that would be disrespectful to Chairman [Carl] Levin and at odds with the best traditions of the Senate Armed Services Committee," said McCain, who previously served as ranking member of the committee.
McCain and Hagel, who both served in Vietnam, were Senate allies until Hagel split with McCain over his criticism of the surge in Iraq, which McCain proposed.
McCain gave Hagel a hard time for that stance during his confirmation hearing, demanding a yes or no answer to whether he was right or wrong about the surge. Hagel refused, and instead said Iraq may have been the worst foreign policy decision since Vietnam.
But, despite that tension, in the days since that uneven testimony, McCain, who says he's leaning against Hagel's nomination, has come to Hagel's defense, arguing against the outright blockage of Hagel's nomination.
Days after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) left open the possibility of filibustering Hagel's nomination, McCain came out against that.
Then, after Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and James Inhofe (R-OK), the current ranking member of Armed Services, said they would try to block Hagel, McCain is saying those efforts go too far.
For Hagel's part, NBC's Michael Isikoff talked to Chuck Hagel’s brother Tom, who says Chuck Hagel will not withdraw. In fact, he’s going to “fight harder.” Tom Hagel says the only way he’d withdraw is if the White House wanted him to, and the White House is sticking by him.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said he would hold a full Senate vote on Hagel either Wednesday or Thursday, reports NBC's Mike Viqueira.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this post reported that McCain was going to vote against Hagel, but McCain has not made a final decision. He is, instead "leaning against" Hagel.
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Well, I'm not one to gossip, so you didn't hear this from me...
It's been rumored that before Don't Ask Don't Tell went into effect, and possibly for its duration, The Navy would patrol off the coast of South Carolina and use Lindsey as a drone for testing of their most powerful and top-secret Gay-Dar equipment... His code name was "Hanoi-Jane".
Just another one of those crazy GOP moments. Just another moment that proves to the American people how wacked out the GOP party is and how they don't know how to govern. Obama is not anialating the GOP it's collapsing on it's own from abject stupidity.
TO: Rudy Gonzales who wrote:
If they walk out can they please just keep walking until they find Hell where they belong!!!!
Graham and other GOP'ers are idiots. They really think that regular folk follow all the twists and turns of politics. Nope - all they see are the GOP - yet again - saying "oh no, we're not obstructionists" but yet they wont' even confirm a Republican nominee. Complaining they want financial docs from co's he used to sit on the board for (which it's illegal to do), and answers to their hearts desire about Benghazi - which Hagel had nothing to do with!!!
Do they think anyone out here thinks they're following any logical path to move the country along? So obviously everything is petty and political with NO interest in doing what's needed and necessary for the country.
also - setting precedent. Yikes! remember Graham - there will be a GOP prez at some point who will want to appoint his cabinet. You reap what you sow....
Graham is up for re-election in 2014. He's trying to play hardball to placate the voters in his state and also to minimize the possibility of a primary challenger. The problem is that he will wind up with egg all over his face because he doesn't have sufficient backing in the Senate to ultimately prevail. McConnell will walk softly for he has to face voters in 2014, also. Don't be surprised if McCain now flips to back Hagel. Stranger things have happened within the GOP recently.
Frankly, the Nation would be much better off if the entire republican membership of Congress just stayed in their own districts and never showed their face in DC at all. They have become an albatross around the collective neck of the Country. I've previously voted for some of them back in the era when the GOP wasn't bat guano crazy, but that's been over 20 years ago now. I'd never support one of them again, as long as this current mindset infects their leadership and their rank and file membership.
Indeed, I'm a registered independent who was raised in a devotedly Republican family. I can't reconcile the current party with the GOP of my youth. I didn't agree with much of what they advocated, but at least I respected them and believed they truly believed they were working for the good of the country. I vote Democrat for the most part because I agree with them on social issues, but I'll likely never vote for a Republican at this point. I don't trust politicians in general, but aside from that guy in Las Vegas, at least the Democrats don't seem like they're suffering from a buffet of mental disorders or permanently stuck in kindergarten. They seem, I dunno, fairly rational.
Well, at least McNasty has seen the light! Now, if the other Obama haters walk out, that will prove beyond any shodow of doubt, that Rethuglicans have no intention of governing for the people!!!
I'm amazed at how much vitriol there is here. I am a republican and I'm willing to admit I don't like the fact that the republicans are getting up and walking out. I don't like it when any politician gets up and walks out. I equate it to childish comparison of "I'm taking my ball and I'm going home!" Both parties do it (I recall the public union issue in Wisconsin just a few years ago), and it is a failure to communicate and work together. I respect McCain's courage to buck his party and stay and vote, even if his vote were just to abstain; he's there and present. I may not always agree with you McCain, but you have my respect for this.
Chuck Hagel is an honest and honorable man. I was a great admirer of him when he was in the Senate. He was right that the Iraq war was the worst foreign policy blunder since the Vietnam war when he was a soldier. He won medals for bravery in that war. He will make an excellent Defense Secretary. I would like to see him get those bags under his eyes fixed though. It would refresh his looks.
TO: Jennifer, New York who wrote:
lol
The GOP has become a disgrace. The conservatives and Tea Partiers are going too far.
let me start with McCain who I do not hold in any regard, he's no hero, was dumb enough to spend years as a POW and there is where he finally grew up, McCain is part of the problem with Washington, whether he's a D or a R is immaterial he's one of those who points his finger at others but still does nothing about the improper ways that government operates. But walking out is not the cure to any thing, standing up and fighting for the Americans who work & pay their salaries is what the politicians owe their allegiance to.
A walkout accomplishes nothing. The committee will still have a quorum, will take a vote, and Hagel's nomination will be sent to the floor with a majority recommendation to confirm. As stated earlier, I very much doubt McCain will vote against confirmation. He may vote "Present" but I really don't think he will case a dissenting vote. Doing so will only fuel the fires for greater embarrassment before the full Senate if Inhofe and Graham try to block a vote on the nomination. "Ya gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and know when to run."
Maybe they will walk out and not return. No more BS and no more job or pay. Get some politicians in that will work and serve the people of this country.
If the GOP walks out of the vote, or tries to filibuster, they should know that the American people are paying close attention! We're in no mood for any more of the right wings unamerican BS! A president has a right to have anyone he wants in his cabinet, barring criminal violations and the like! This is pure retaliation because Hagel DARED to speak his mind as a Republican and REFUSED to toe the GOP Party line!
We're watching!
( I wonder if congressional staffers ever read comments on NBCNEWS.COM or Newsvine)
I do so hope the Repubs will walk out of the committee meeting....people are finally seeing them for the tantrum throwing, finger giving, FY people that they are, rather then the responsible, conservative, family oriented people they say they are. I'm glad the BS is finally sticking and for the Repubs to walk out, another nail in the casket.
The GOP act like a bunch of 2 year olds. If they can't have it their way - just throw another tantrum and make accusations. As slow as the American people are to anger - they are finally beginning to catch on as to which party truly is the party of grief and obstruction. Problem is the GOP extremists still listen to the likes of Cheney and Rove. Why that is so, is way, way beyond normal logic. Anybody have a good answer as to why the thinking of these two common criminals guides the thinking of the GOP party ??
I have nothing but respect for John McCain. He sat in a North Vietnamese prison camp for years when he could have gone home because of who his father was. He did it because the other prisoners could not leave. If he never did another thing he has shown his character. I did not vote for him because the only executive decision I ever saw him make was picking Sarah Palin as a running mate. McCain and Hagel may have their differences but because of their service in Viet Nam they have earned the right to have them. None of these other boys know anything at all about defense. Hagel may not be qualified for the job but he has earned the right to be treated with courtesy and respect by these political hacks.
McCain got shot down because be disobeyed an order to abort attack.
It's understandable why Hagel didn't run to re-election, he'd be one of THEM. Because Hagel doesn't sit on his brain like the rest of the republicans he's ostracized. Why do republican senators got to congress to vote? One with all their proxy's will do. Everyone know they nod or shake their head on cue and in unison. Eric Cantor want Obama to work with them on "smarter cuts". For the last 4+ years he's been pound the drum of hate. Hey Eric, where do you get your ideas from? someone named Sarah perhaps? Madam Clueless
GOP - Goofy Old People
The voters who elect people like Graham and Imhofe won't see a walkout (or even an historically unprecedented filibuster) as a temper tantrum.
They'll define it as an act or principle, based on morality, the kind of heroism and defiance that earns people medals on the battlefield.
Whether the consequences are right or wrong, good or bad, no longer matters. The morality is a matter of character. Are you a stand-up guy who fights to the death before changing his mind, or not? If you're not, then YOU are "wrong" and "bad" -- never mind the issue. No place for cowards and flip floppers.
The model is Samson, who brought down the entire temple in order to kill his enemies, even though it cost him his life.
And anyone who walks out probably won't have to worry about being marginalized. They and their constituents are mostly drawn from the rabid fringe already.
Doesn't the GOP realize how the American people view them? What a bunch of idiots, but showing the states their from, it all makes sense! They're a disgrace!
As opposed to the likes of Harry Reid, from the state with the highest unemployment and the highest foreclosure rate in the country.
Or maybe Feinstein and Boxer, from a state on the edge of bankruptcy, Billions of dollars in debt, with a governor and legislature that write budgets that plan on Billions in bailout money from Washington, the highest tax rate in the nation behind the Federal rate, and actually budget 10 Billion dollars a year for illegals.
Or maybe Schumer and Gillibrand, two out and out morons from New York. Gillibrand used to brag that she kept rifles under her bed to PROTECT HER FAMILY, now suddenly because it's POLITICALLY expedient, she's all for banning everything out there that anyone else might use to defend their own families. Or Schumer, who calls LAW ABIDING citizens who are members of the NRA, a "fringe group". I guess he thinks that people that actually OBEY the law are some kind of "fringe" element to be denigrated and demonized.
Or maybe John Kerry, so "honest" that he actually registered his yacht in another state so he wouldn't have to pay sales taxes on it, but has no problems screaming for higher taxes on everyone else.
Or Hillary Clinton, so desperate to stay in the White House that she lied about her husband's adultery, and called it a "vast right wing conspiracy". This of course after calling a woman who TOLD THE TRUTH "trailer trash". And also a woman, who when asked about why the White House and State Department blamed a "video" for a 9/11 terrorist attack that killed four Americans simply said, "What difference does it make"?
You want to see idiots? Look to the Democratic party, that thinks that race baiting, class warfare, gender warfare, lying about terrorist attacks, "passing it to know what's in it", higher debt, higher taxes, and higher spending is actually "good" for the country.
Cheryl, try as you may, these vain attempts to sully Democrats in hopes of raising the image and stature of Republicans is just that ~ ~ a vain attempt. There are none virginally pure in either camp but Democrats have a higher public approval today than Republicans and antics such as those threatened by Graham and Inhofe are not improving the perception of the Republican Party. Oh, there will always be a percentage that will support any move by conservatives but it isn't sizable enough to win elections or change public opinion. I appreciate your zeal but your core problem is that the majority of people are not with you ~ and without it, you can't prevail.
Let's just raise the white flag, and let Iran, China and Russia fight over who wants the view at 1600 Pennsylvania....
Once Hagel gets in, it will only draw out the inevitable....
WOW! I have a question NBC when did the Republican win the Senate back come on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Those Republicans that are threating to walk out are acting like the irresponsible children they are.I cant believe the people they represent tolerate this sort of behavior from them
And the Republican blockade continues. Andnow the Republicans are in now in the majority in the Senate according to NBC. When did that happen?
What's the deal with the pop-over ad? Is it just me or is there a really annoying pop-over ad that blocks part of the article? Not cool.