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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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To all you idiots that do not have a clue...Hagel is a Republican. When you don't want someone from your own party then there has to be serious questions about that person.
more likely serious questions about your party.
Hagel must be thinking, "Goddamn a-holes, I thought north vietnamese were dangerous out to kill us"....
I think Grammy & McKain earned an all expense paid trip to Israel.. That will not be free of course.. They can just "promote, advocate" couple thousand dollars to the numerous aid Israel has been getting.
Apparently the tea holes and republican'ts learned nothing after the last election.
What a stupid remark but to be expected.
Mean-spirited and hateful. Exactly what we've come to expect from the Republican Congress.
Oh sure, the dems are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better. And for your information it is not a republican congress.....dems control the senate. Please get uptodate/.
There ya go, boys - show'em how Congress members are nothing less than Israel's b1tches.
GOP childish temper tantrum cry babies.
I hope they all walk out and NEVER RETURN to congress. LOL
Never happen Alice, because the dems never left either.
Hagel is a far better man than any of those who will vote against him.
When will these Republicans grow up. It sounds like kids on a ball field. If I can't pitch, I am going to take my ball and go home.
Kinda like the dems in 2006 when every one of the dems including Obama voted against the debt limit increase.
Those who would walk out of the Committee vote on Sen. Hagel would also be the ones we look to for leadership in resolving the problems we face? We do indeed have little chance of progress with such small minds in positions of leadership.
What shameful behavior!!
How much "leadership" is found in simply running away as the GOP committee members threaten to do?
Young Republicans, be very, very careful. The GOP eats their young!
They do not only eat their young, but they also eat seniors, minorities and disabled persons in their party. Oh, yes they do! And do not look their way or vote with them, you might be eaten also. LOL
Take the vote, Levin. Send the nomination to the Senate and put the pressure on McConnell to keep his children in line. Then Reid schedules a vote for Wednesday or Thursday and we end this matter. If either Graham or Inhofe filibuster the nomination, the very next order of business will be drastic overhaul of the filibuster rule. Oh, no ~ its not too late and only a majority vote is required to amend or abolish it. McConnell dodged that bullet earlier this month. I doubt he can do it a second time and the pressure will be on the two tantrum throwers to sit down, shut up, and simply vote "NO." That shouldn't be difficult. They have had lots of practice.
This is only what the Democrats taught is to do and have done many times. Now for all of you stupid Democrats look at his record and what he has done in the past and what he has said. It will shake you up. Again decisions without knowledge a democratic way. Your all for it. It all has to happen before you all wake up and you votede for him, you getr what you voted for, hold on to your hats it is coming. How do you like the high pricetce of gasoline, medical costs, lower salaries, high grocery prices, less doctors, etc
Translation please?
None of these things are new. I've been seeing them for the past 20 years, regardless of who is in officel Oh, BTW, what the Hell did Hagel have to do with gas prices, medical costs, lower salaries, high grocery prices, and the ultimate catch-all, ETC? He's a Republican. They never let prices rise, wages drop, or jobs disappear. What happened, Gene? You been sneaking sips of the cheap Communion wine again?
Gene: This is what teabaggers complain about when they are not educated to enter the job market as high achievers. What does this have to do with Hagel? If some one is qualify and is willing to work in a government for, of and by the people, it does not matter which party. This is why the democrats wants the playing field fair and open for all AMERICANS. And they have appointed persons in spite of their political party, race, sex, sexual orientation and status. LOL
Our eyes have seen the glory of the second term of PRESIDENT OBAMA. And our eyes are fixed permanently with hope to see more glorious days of democrats who are more faithful and patriotic to the United States. If your eyes have not seen the glory, pick a number because there is a long line of retuglicans/tea baggers Billie hacks going to HELL. And do not let MITT Robbme cars' elevators crush you all on the way down. HA HA HA
Gene,
you do recall that this is the same man that McCain said would be a great person for the position when McCain was running for president. Molst of the comments you are referring to were before McCain put the stamp of approval on Hagel.
There will come a day, very soon it is looking like, when there is NOBODY that takes a Republican member of congress seriously.
If McCain; Palin's lap dog was man enough to start all this mess about Hagel, why isn't he courageous enough to walk out? WOW! That's the Retugs/Teabaggers- They talk everything and stand for NOTHING! LOL
jim in texas cheryl is correct nice post sweetie better post than feisty red given heads posts
I have some Yes or No questions for Boehner, McCain and McConnel: 1. Will you quit adding pork for taxpayers to pay for? 2. If you fail again to set a budget on time will you resign? 3. If not then you feel you are a privileged class looking down on taxpayers? 4. You agree that bureaucrats who willfully fail to do their job should immediately resign, never to work for the government again? Congress and Senate just don't get it, failing to do their job, making the USA look like a little 4th world country. They see nothing wrong with this. What a bunch of clueless baboozes.
there will come a day when you all have divided this country so much that we will be in the most vulnerable position ever and dont think our enemies are not watching
Goes to show you how hatefully stupid Republican lawmakers can be...and are. This country can't move forward an inch because of them
Get real, Dad....look what the dems did in 2006....
voyager you think the dems in power have no money you idiot u make it look that way wanting all you freebies
'yep only thing we are good for is blaming stuff on us hahaha . just because your man won doesn't mean its right
Hagel's "crime" was to stop supporting the misguided foreign policy adventures of GW Bush. Candidly, having a Secretary of Defense who has actually fought on the ground for this country will be refreshing. In general, combat vets are much less likely to view war as the best or first option.
We are paying these clowns $175,00 a year plus all they can steal to behave like a bunch of petulant 5th graders. No wonder Congress' approval rating is barely in positive numbers.
wis dad your a great democrat you learn quick .. rule number one blame republicans .. rule number two use rule number one
tack we are 5 y.o. not fifth graders
You guys are drunk, shut up.
This is a non issue because Hagel will be confirmed. Voted, logged, signed and done.