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Subscribe to RSSSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid voices his dismay on the House floor Thursday over the filibuster of Chuck Hagel's nomination as U.S. secretary of defense.
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid set a cloture vote for Thursday afternoon at 4:15 pm ET, the White House is trying to answer Republican concerns and Vice President Biden is making calls to ex-GOP Senate colleagues in an effort to save Chuck Hagel's nomination for defense secretary.
Republicans are threatening to filibuster Hagel's nomination and require 60 votes to overcome cloture, if they do not receive more information on Hagel's speeches and finances. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) sent a Feb. 12 letter to the White House requesting more information on the attacks in Benghazi and are tying Hagel's nomination to it.
Hagel has 57 votes -- 55 Democrats and two Republicans -- but would need three Republicans to vote for cloture, to end debate on his nomination, in order for it to proceed to a final up-or-down confirmation vote. The White House believes with Susan Collins (R-ME), Hagel has 58 votes for cloture.
"The Administration has repeatedly made clear its commitment to understanding the facts and circumstances surrounding the September 11-12, 2012 attack on our diplomatic mission in Benghazi...," White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler wrote in response to McCain, Graham, and Hagel.
Ruemmler also writes that the administration has begun to implement "each and every one" of the Accountability Review Board recommendations.
"This intensive response, which was directed by the President, included 13 meetings of interagency Principals and Deputies within a week of the attack and included continuous outreach by senior administration officials to the Government of Libya, including by the President and members of his Cabinet," Ruemmler wrote.
Republicans have questioned the level of involvement of President Obama in the handling of the aftermath of Benghazi. In response to a specific question from McCain, Graham, and Ayotte, Reummler writes, "Secretary Clinton called Libyan President Magariaf on behalf of the President on the evening of September 11, 2012 to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya...The President spoke to President Magariaf on the evening of September 12."
She ends the letter with: "We continue to urge the full Senate to act swiftly and confirm former Senator Hagel as the next Secretary of Defense."
In the Senate, McCain said Thursday there is an effort underway to negotiate a way to get more information and get Hagel a clean up-or-down vote.
"We are working on and having negotiations now trying to smooth this thing out and get it done," McCain said. "We're working on trying to get a path forward to having the questions answered and the vote and Hagel getting his vote."
NATO defense ministers are meeting next week in Brussels, and the administration would like to have Hagel in place to attend. Reid had said earlier Thursday he would set the cloture vote on Hagel's nomination for Friday morning and an up-or-down vote Saturday before moving it up to Thursday afternoon.
"It's critical that we get our new national security team confirmed as soon as possible," said a White House official, per Kristen Welker. "When we have 66,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, face the looming threat of sequestration, and are dealing with continued North Korean intransigence, it's irresponsible not to move forward to confirm Chuck Hagel. There are real consequences to this kind of unprecedented political posturing against a Defense Secretary nominee - consequences that are dangerous to our national security.
But Republicans want a further delay until after the Senate's break next week.
No Defense Secretary has ever been filibustered and just two cabinet secretary nominees, aside from Hagel, have been. But McCain harkened back to the failed nomination of John Tower in 1989.
"I have said all along that we had to have the concerns of Senators addressed," McCain said, "and I'm hopeful we can get those concerns addressed and still move forward with a 51-vote vote, because we have never required 60 votes of a Defense Secretary. But I would remind you that in the case of John Tower -- and I was here when you were teenagers -- John Tower, nominated on Dec. 16, 1988. [On] March 10, 1989, the Senate rejected his nomination. I was here, while the Democrats stalled his nomination for three months. So please, don't give me that argument about how we're holding things up."
Tower was rejected 53-47. It was not by a filibuster, but Democrats controlled the chamber. Three Democrats voted for Tower; one Republican voted against.
Graham said he would support cloture after the recess "unless there's some bombshell."
NBC's Kristen Welker, Mike Viqueira, and Bob Constantini contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:17 PM EST
Leave a Comment:
What?
How about pursuing Bush for two unfunded wars of aggression?
How about pursuing BP for the worst spills?
How about pursuing those banksters who destroyed US economy and workd economy?
How about pursuing Dick the Shooting-you-in-your-face Fake-Hearted Cheney for waterboarding his own heart?
These guys have lost their ever lovin minds with their obsession over Benghazi …
Congressional Republicans went hunting for controversy over last year's terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in an unlikely place on Wednesday: the Senate confirmation hearing for Treasury secretary nominee Jack Lew.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/jack-lew-benghazi_n_2681009.html
Typo alert:
How about pursuing those banksters who destroyed US economy and
workd/World economy?Time to kick McBums out, come November 2014. Here is a list of all the McBums:
McCane (R-AZ), Lindsey Mc-Gra-ham (McPork of SC), and Kelly McCoyotte-Ugly (R-NH), and McConnell of Kentucky Fried McChicken
Pigotry
S&P is being sued big time by the Feds.
The GOP is always masterful in their political witch-hunt...remember Uncle Joe McCarthy - one of GOP ancestors
Benghazi has never been answered for. The defense of this country and her people should be the top priority of any administration. Yet with this so called administration is all about cutting defense and it was only a few that died so no big deal. That's what you on the left do not understand.
People like me who swore an oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic still hold on to that oath. I respect the liberal party as much as I do the Muslim brotherhood. They mirror each other.
If the Republicans need more time to get a "clean" vote and put the nomination to rest, why not give the process the time needed? The Democrats are pushing the nomination so hard, without the due process requested, they will lose the support that is in place to get this completed.
Give it the time element that is being requested and the Hagel nomination pass without a hitch. Turn it into a political fiasco and you risk throwing the nomination under the bus.
rukidding and dr821 - Wow! The mental midgets from the far right have arrived in all their glory! You guys show such abject stupidity it is truly a sad sight to see. But, keep it up. Nutcases like you make Republicans look worse every day - and that's quite an accomplishment!
You are both going to be whining even more in 2014!
blackcatwhitecat - did I hear cat-calls out in the wild...on this Valentine's Day?
Republicans deserve to have this blow up in their face. I say that not as a Democrat, but as an American. This is an unconscionable abuse of their power. They are simply using the confirmation hearings to harass the President. Democrats who dissented from the Bush policies in his two terms, never did that, they never abused the confirmation process for political ends.
Democrats had policy issues with Bush/Cheney and they articulated those differences, in their role as the loyal opposition. These Republicans aren't loyal to anyone except their own warped egos.
Do the terrible trio ever stop? What they did to Susan Rice was sickening and this even more so. We all know Benghazi was a tragedy but we need to move forward. Where was all of this indignation by the right after 9-11??????
Thank you SS
If you agreed with me I would know I was wrong.
The total ignorance on the left is astonishing.
r u kidding,
@1.6 [I respect the liberal party as much as I do the Muslim brotherhood.]
Thanks so very much for TRASHING my 6 years of service (1963 - 1969).
Yep, gotta get Hagel into office so he can be a parrot and to ensure Israel will be wiped off the map but continue to support sending military equipment to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood leaders.
BTW: are you going to TRASH my 34 years of service ?
BTW-2: Mr. Obama must really like his UNCONSTITUTIONAL "Congressional recess appointments" to the NLRB since he has rejected a Federal Court's ruling. Yep, "my way or the highway" to ANYONE.
McCain, Graham and Ayotte should explain to the American people what the heck Chuck Hagel's nomination as Secretary of Defense has to do with Benghazi. He wasn't even on the staff. What idiots...and, worse, WE pay these yahoos.
None of those three senators is interested in the truth about Benghazi. If they were, they would listen to the answers they have been given and they would attend the intelligence briefings to learn the facts. The problem for them is they don't like the truth or the facts because it doesn't suit them. McCain, while the 3-hour, high-level intelligence briefing on Benghazi took place, stood before the microphone and demanded answers. If he wanted answers, then he should have hauled his rearend into the briefing. Boot these yahoos out of office; they do not serve the people, they serve their own selfish interests and personal grudges.
Plain and simple: Repugs are incompetent eggsuckin' a$$holes. That is all!
I respect the liberal party as much as I do the Muslim brotherhood. They mirror each other.
That is a bunch of BS!!! Don't act like democrats don't love this country just as much as you do and want to see it and her people protected from these extremists.
This is what you get when you elect people who hate government to govern. They impede government so they can prove that government doesn't work. What they are doing is just wrong. They are the ones who whine the loudest about National Security, yet they jeopardize National Security by preventing the country from having a Defense Secretary at a time when a Defense Secretary is needed. I hope their constituents are taking a close look at their Senators.
Layton-3733410....."We all know Benghazi was a tragedy but we need to move forward."
Yep, just forget about an American Ambassador and three other Americans were killed by Terrorists in Benghazi and NOT ONE PERSON has been held accountable. Mrs. Clinton just brushed the incident off like it meant nothing (same as you). It was a total and complete lack of leadership in the Department of State and in the White House. PERIOD.
ldo,
[BTW: are you going to TRASH my 34 years of service ?]
I would never trash anyone's service regardless of length or rank – Thanks for your service
[BTW-2: Mr. Obama must really like his UNCONSTITUTIONAL "Congressional recess appointments" to the NLRB since he has rejected a Federal Court's ruling. Yep, "my way or the highway" to ANYONE.]
He must reject the court ruling since he intends to appeal to the SCOTUS. A final decision is needed for all future Presidents and Congresses.
ldo ...
Why don't you tell me all knowing one who was held accountable for 9-11 in the United States Administration?
The country focused its efforts on finding the person actually RESPONSIBLE (I know that's a big word for people like you.) I am positive this administration is working to find the people responsible for the actual crime itself.
I for one applaud justice and those that have committed crimes to be brought to trial.
What are your thoughts on bringing Bush and Cheney to trial for their horrible crimes?
*crickets* I'm sure.
Layton,
Benghazi-Gate has caused what little of their brains they had left to turn to mush!
We have gotten NO answers on the cluster @!$%# in Iraq & Afghanistan which cost hundreds of thousand of lives, yet these chicken hawks are pissing themselves over 4 deaths!!!
Yeah... RIIIGHT!
Their POUTRAGE is growing tiresome...
Layton - don't forget Rumsfield and Condi Rice. They were all complicit in 9/11/2001.
Oh, and darlin, I believe it's "cockroaches" instead of "crickets" in the case of Ido!
sigh …. Benghazi-nazis ad nauseam.
John Tower? Gwad! That sum-bitch created a shortage of "scotch" whiskey in the US until He died in 1991. During those hearings one of His own aides admitted to having to remove His clothes before bed, sometimes through the week, and every night on weekends, because He was too drunk to do it Himself. Someone needed to do something. Sides, people such as myself deserved a little scotch now and then. McCain, you little slipshod glory hound, don't talk to me about John Tower. Chuck Hagel damn sure ain't no John Tower.
Imagine how many of these Libyan terrorists could be caught and held accountable if Republicans would let us focus on finding them and bringing them to justice! But they don't really care about that. They care about tarnishing Hillary as much as possible in case she decides to run in a future election.
Pathetic political scumbags.
rukidding47
What are you talking about? Seriously, what are you talking about? Rodham-Clinton took responsibility for the security mistakes, all the recommended changes were implemented and, after four years, the Obama administration has seen fewer deaths at embassies than under the Bush/Cheney "we exercise executive power in all things" administration.
I swear, Republicans don't know what accountability looks like!
Ido, bull. They have the facts and they know it and so do you. This is witch-hunting at its ugliest. Don't forget who cut nearly $3 million in funds for embassy security and then turned down State's request for more money. CONGRESS including McCain, Graham and Ayotte. Perhaps these three should take a look in the mirror for the answers they refuse to accept. McCain never bothered to attend the briefings either so he is particularly pathetic in his demands!
Apparently conservatives and Senators like McCain, Graham and Ayotte, place greater importance on the deaths of 4 Americans by terrorists in a war-torn country than they do on the 1,000 dead Americans as a result of gun-violence terrorism in the USA since Dec 14's Sandy Hook? Should we not be demanding answers on why we have a war within our own borders?
Pig here are your answers.
I'm still trying to figure out how you unfund a war so I'll get back to you on that.
I'm pretty sure BP is paying out the @ss for their screw up.
Maybe would should also pursue Bill Clinton for deregulating those banksters.
Right after we pursue President Obama for droning himself.
The cry-babies are mad because they have been defeated and humiliated. They will take it out on this country any way they can.
Miss Piggy, please add Burr of NC to your list of ReThuglicans who need to be voted out of office (though we are stuck with him til 2016, unfortunately).
He's a sneaky one - he is basically a do-nothing - he lurks in the background, and keeps his head down, working part-time like the rest of them but collecting full-time pay.
I have been politically active for 40+ years . . . I have NEVER seen anything this bad - the Hostage-taking, obstructionism, and Party-of-No have got to GO!
.
FORWARD! :-)
I don't think we will ever see Bush and Cheney travel over seas. I think the arrest warrants are still waiting.
This just in - In other news, the renaming of 18 posting office buildings has been stalled by Congressional Republicans pending demands from the Post Office Inspector General on his role in the Benghazi attacks. Described by McCain and Graham as the single worst attack against American in its history...(and the drama goes on and on).
Job1 - arrest warrants from the World Court are in effect for Cheney, Bush and Rumsfield - possibly Condi Rice, not sure about that one.
Hagel has nothing to do with Benghazi....what BS !!!
From now on, all Republican cabinet members get filibustered !!!
So true KC_NC. They are bad group of ReThuglicans that have hijacked NC.
dr, why should they be given more time to vote on the Hagel nomination. This is what the GOPTP has been doing for four years--delay, deny, obstruct, postpone and then start over again with more delays and obstruction. The GOPers are demanding information that NO PREVIOUS CABINET NOMINEE, including Rumsfeld who had ties to a corporation aiding North Korea to develop their nuclear program, has ever been asked for this information. In addition, you have these people demanding answers on Benghazi which have nothing to do with Hagel. The GOP needs to get out of the way and quit playing games because that is ALL they are doing.
You have the nerve to call anyone a parrot, "ido"?
You will either provide your documented evidence of your outrage at each, single BushII recess appointment and your calls for BushII's impeachment.
If you fail, you will prove that you are a complete hypocrite - which is the lowest a dirt-bag liar can go....and then you can take your nazi propaganda and shove right up Rush Limbaugh's embarrassingly large, drug addicted posterior. It should be easy for you to find - just look right next to where you have your head shoved.
Just try, "ido" - I'd love for you to prove to me that you are not just another piece of teabagging scum.
Seeking . . .
I shall keep that in mind! ;-)
RedDev . . .
Still laughing over that one ....
RedDev
Good thing I had just swallowed that mouthful of water or I would be mopping up my keyboard and monitor .....Good One ! :)
Apparently, the quest to regain power in the face of their dwindling influence is more important to the GOP leadership than the issue of U. S. national security.
Their childish behavior will have a negative impact on the GOP in the 2014 midterm elections.
VOTE THE OBSTRUCTIONISTS OUT!
Hagel will be confirmed, despite the current mishegoss...
2 hours ago
McCain satisfied with WH response on Benghazi
"I think it was an adequate response, yes," McCain said about the Benghazi matter. "We are working on and having negotiations now trying to smooth this thing out and get it done."
Asked if the satisfactory response on Benghazi was enough for him to vote to break the filibuster McCain indicated not yet.
"We are working on trying to get a path forward to try to have the questions answered and the vote and Hagel getting his vote," McCain said, referring to questions from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and GOP senators about the sources of Hagel's income in the years after he left the Senate.
McCain said if the answers are provided there won't be a need for a vote to break the filibuster and he hopes the Senate can move directly to a confirmation vote on Hagel – a vote that only needs 51 votes to succeed.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/14/mccain-satisfied-with-wh-response-on-benghazi-negotiating-to-end-filibuster-without-a-vote/?hpt=po_c1
What stunning hypocrisy after (a) the GOP when in the majority said that no cabinet appointee should ever, never, no way ever, no never be filibustered, and (b) they talked the Dems out of changing the filibuster rule by promising to only use the filibuster when appropriate.
Hypocrits! Especially McCain, who was once honorable.
Jeez - guys, Hegel was a Republican Senator! You are not burning your reputations, and completely trashing the value of your word, to prevent some wild liberal appointee.
Although, I guess, the word of a Republican politician hasn't been worth the air it rides on for some time now.
I just hope the conservatives are embarassed as hell. When you lose the value of trust in your word, you don't have much left.
A perfect place to give a couple of right-wing braggarts their 15 minutes of fame, like many other posters that have lied about their military service on this site.
Let's see. obama has known that there are congressman that have been pushing for disclosure of his actions and his knowledge of the attack since the attack happened. He has tried lying to the world about what happened and what he knew for the past 5 months. All of a sudden it has become a rush to respond? hillary asked the senators "what difference does it make" meaning that they never intend to answer the questions.
obama trots out a spokesperson crying about the troops facing sequestration (that obama made a deal for and signed into law) if this clown isn't approved. Do people really think that they are going to furlough the soldiers over there and send them home early? I'm betting the soldiers would accept that - home from that hell hole earlier than expected. Panetta stated he would stay until a person was selected so it isn't like there would not be a SecDef. When the bummer does pull out the troops from Afghanistan he will be "drawing down" to the bush admin levels.
Pro-Israel traitors in US government are doing everything they can to derail Hagel's nomination.
Since the conservatives insist upon yelling "Benghazi" at every turn I think it only appropriate that the liberals yell "Sandy Hook" right back at them!
tjohn— - no we should yell 9/11/2001 since the Bush Administration had been warned about an attack and failed to alert anyone - including the airlines even though they were told we would be attacked using our own planes.
Republicans have no integrity and no honor as evidenced by "the thinker" who has clearly never had a thought in his empty head!
It's gonna be fun...
Obama with his "my way or the highway"... "get out of my way, "obstructionists""....
LOL....
This is exactly why we have Balance of Powers, much to the dismay of the Campaigner-in-Chief...
Got news for ya, Pres...
Winning the election by FOUR PERCENT of the vote, is NO MANDATE...
So, you better learn to play nice, and move away from your far left ideologues...and learn what the word COMPROMISE means.
You seem to think that somehow, you're going to get what you want, when you want it like a spoiled child with Daddy's credit card.
And if you don't, you'll have NBC to help you blame those "bad, OBSTRUCTIONIST Republicans"...
Well, bring it, big boy...
Most Americans- including centrist Democrats- are sick of your out-of-control spending and LIES about "NOT ADDING A DIME TO THE DEFICIT"... YOU'VE ADDED 160,000,000,000,000 DIMES TO OUR DEFICIT!
I ROFL every time I hear you leftards whine about the Republicans being "hijacked" by the Tea Party... if anything, the Democratic Party has been hijacked by the far left... it's a joke- and it's going to cost the Democrats the Senate in 2014.
Can't wait.
tjohn, why? Did foriegn terrorist attack Sandy Hook and kill an Ambassador? Man I need to pay attention to those liberal news cast more often.
I won't even comment on your avitar goof.
tobnpr - and we laugh hysterically whenever you try to post a competent post - you're friends with ozzie, right? Another illiterate! You two are Republican jokes - not very funny but trying sooooo hard to be relevant! Typical LITTLE boys!
I am actually hopeful that Hagel will help put a stop to, or at least slow down our senseless foreign military intervention. I'm also quite sure that this is politically motivated on behalf of the GOP senators. That being said, I believe the simple solution for the Obama administration is to provide the additional information that they are asking for. What's the harm? Is there something to hide?
And any attempt to bring up Iraq, torture, or any mistake of previous administrations is irrelevant.
Let's see if I have this right, 4 killed at Benghazi and 3000 plus killed on 9/11 but "The Three Amigos" are only worried about the ones killed while a Democrat is president. They even act like attacks on embassies doesn't happen under Republican presidents. They are wrong. Not counting the 9/11 disaster we have these attacks under the last three Republican presidents.
Under Reagan
1983: Bomb Blast At U.S. Embassy In Beirut Killed More Than 60, Including 17 Americans
1983: Car Bomb Damaged U.S. Embassy In Kuwait
1987: Car Bomb Exploded Outside U.S. Embassy In Italy
Under H W Bush
1990: Palestinian Guerrillas Attempted To Attack U.S. Embassy In Tel Aviv
Under G W Bush
2002: U.S. Consulate In Karachi, Pakistan, Attacked; 10 Killed, 51 Injured
2004: U.S. Embassy Bombed In Uzbekistan
2004: Gunmen Stormed U.S. Consulate In Saudi Arabia
2006: Armed Men Attacked U.S. Embassy In Syria
2007: Grenade Launched Into U.S. Embassy In Athens
2008: Rioters Set Fire To U.S. Embassy In Serbia
2008: Ten People Killed In Bombings At U.S. Embassy In Yemen
I count a lot more than 4 people there but as a I stated before it appears that "The Three Amigos" only worry about the one under a Democrat president.
And let's remember that the republican response to all the embassy deaths under GWBush was to REDUCE state department security funding...
Apparently I have hit the nail on the head in regards to "ido", who will forever be characterized as a lying, brainless, hypocritical propagandist. What a surprise.
Hope you and Rush have a lovely afternoon together, "ido". Rush's rump is way too large and he's way too doped up to feel a thing, but it should be the afternoon you've always dreamed of.
We have pictures of him with Islamic Republic of Iran's lobbyists and stooges and the reason he is not disclosing his financial is because it is tinted with the regime's kickbacks. He is not the right person for the job and Obama should seek a military man instead.
Hagel did serve in the Military.
Remember when Dick Cheney complained that everything should get an up or down vote? he was referring to a democrat threatened Filibuster. He threatened the "nuclear" OPTION." which was to change the senate rules on filibusters and get rid of said rule. and now the republicans think filibuster is a good thing again. lol
I hope America keeps getting wiser and throws all the repubs out on their butts. So on another note, I wonder which lobby is paying for this filibuster to begin with? hmmmm let mee think about that.
Ali? what planet do you call home?
At first I would get angry over Republican obstruction, then I was embarrassed for the country by the childish actions of the Republicans. Now It's just pure disgust, Republicans have repeatedly shown us that they don't give a damn about governing. Since 2009 the only reason for the Republican Party to exist has been to block anything and everything the Obama administration tries to do. They weren't elected to obstruct they were elected to govern and compromise with the opposition. Every time the Republican thugs do their "my way or the highway" routine it damages the country................. do the Republicans care about that ?..... HELL NO!
2014 can't come soon enough........... Lets hope by then the majority of the American people realize that for the good of the country we MUST kick these worthless Republican bums out of office........
ali, with today's PhotoShop you can make a picture of anything so you can take those so called pictures and stick them you know where. Hagel is a decorated veteran with an honorable military record. Much more qualified than all of the leaches in congress. If you're worried about kickbacks you should be investigating all the Republicans in congress and many Democrats.
If Hagel doesn't make it, Obama will choose a VERY Liberal Democrat instead. Or maybe even Colin Powell!
McCain must think that the American people are as brain-addled as he is...
The Tower nomination WAS NOT FILIBUSTERED...nor was it ever threatened to be filibustered so John McA$$wipes analogy total complete and utter BULL$HIT...but that is the GOP's specialty...complete and utter bull$hit...
Letting Republicans have the filibuster is like letting a child have a loaded gun...wait...the child would probably be more responsible.
rukidding47
Benghazi has never been answered for. The defense of this country and her people should be the top priority of any administration. Yet with this so called administration is all about cutting defense and it was only a few that died so no big deal. That's what you on the left do not understand.
People like me who swore an oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic still hold on to that oath. I respect the liberal party as much as I do the Muslim brotherhood. They mirror each other.
=============
"People like me..." I swore to defend this Country as well...so why do you think your sh*t is draped in the Flag? Maybe you should go back and look at that oath again. It didn't give you free reign to determine who that alleged enemy was on your own accord. You're told who the enemy is. Your told what to defend.
You don't like the Democrat Party, fine don't, but don't you dare follow it up with some bull sh*t chest thump about oaths to defend the Country. Citizens of that same Democrat Party pay their fair share of taxes funding your ability to defend, provide the paycheck you live off of and the retirement your sorry arse will get as well.
You wanna act billy bad ass about the Democrat Party, put your wallet where your mouth is and you keep the portion of your paycheck and your retirement equivalent to the % that Mitt Romney got during the election and you cough up the rest back to the Democrat constituency you so claim to loath.
...and for the record, if "Benghazi has never been answered for" is the reason for holding the Hagel nomination, then using the same logic John Kerry wouldn't be the SoS right now.
Good God...they need to put a little more teeth in the entrance exam.
Could this headline be any more dramatic & misleading?
Scrambles? Seriously?
What a joke!
If anything, the White House is handing these obstructionists just enough rope...
Low down GOP attempt to humiliate the President, unconscionable behavior.
Greetings Feisty, Happy Valentines Day--such as it is with this news, regardless, roses to you and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!
Good point, Feisty, I think
Jeb BushAny Republican with Presidential ambitions for 2016 Scrambles to Distance Himself from Congressional Republicans would be more fitting.Happy Valentine's Day... feisty, Parrot, Amy, & blackcatwhitecat, & many other liberal friends here who are doing great lib service.
I hope Kermit brings you
flowersboxes and boxes of chocolates, Pigotry!Hi, Amy .... & Kermit (of course),
A heart-felt Thanks, from ChocolatePig
You know the way to this girls ♥!
Happy Valentines Day to all my progressive friends!
PS: Ames - I'm sick & tired of the MSM trying to stir the pot! This is NOT a freakin GAME!
The Nations Voters will Punish Republicans for their Reckless Obstruction. People are darn tired of this childish game playing.
Feisty, nope, don't think it could be. It's tiresome. For someone who was "scrambling", I didn't notice it during President Obama's speech in Decatur, GA.
What I'm tired of is the GOP Senate games being played. Asking Jack Lew about Benghazi which has nothing to do with the job as Secretary of the Treasury proves how completely deranged too many GOPer senators have become.
Happy Valentine's Day to you, too, Pigotry!
Just another administration "Crisis Management" issue. When has the White House really scrambled ?
Oh yeah, had to get out the picture of the folks in the situation room to the Public, immediately, when the Osama bin Laden mission was happening. Too bad can't say the same thing about Benghazi.
The 49% of Americans who did not vote for Mr. Obama are completely and totally tired of "my way or the highway" attitude.....but it will be the Republicans fault for everything. Talk about game playing.
Mr. Tower, at the time of his confirmation hearings:
Concerns about Tower's personal life played a major role. He was accused of being a drunk and a womanizer.
Tower responded to the allegations that he had abused alcohol. "Have I ever drunk to excess? Yes," he told The New York Times in 1990. "Am I alcohol-dependent? No. Have I always been a good boy? Of course not. But I've never done anything disqualifying. That's the point."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73796.html#ixzz2KuFneNTg
He actually had also said in another commentary that he would swear, that if confirmed, that he would not have even one drop of alcohol while he was SoD. He was known and considered to be a raging alcoholic. Raging alcoholics cannot be taken at their sworn words.
So, yeah, Mr. McCain, it was the right decision not to have a raging alcoholic running the Defense Dept.
Kinda need to remember that we have the "internets", Johnnie, and information is there to find.
John Tower was a lousy alcoholic and womanizer...most of all, he was unstable.
Did you happen to catch Andrea Mitchell's cheap shot at the end of his speech where she said the President had reason to be happy today because he is out of DC?
Apparently, now Miss Mitchell also reads minds!
When will their revenge for President Obama winning his second term end (McCain and Graham)?
It's time for these guys to shape up or shut up .
Hagel has nothing to do with Benghazi....what BS !!!
From now on, all Republican cabinet members get filibustered !!!
Republican strategist Mike Murphy said on Meet The Press, the reason the Republicans don't care how badly they appear to the country is because of gerrymandering - they only have to win in their red districts, they don't have to worry about disgusting the moderate voters.
Funny thing, I'm a Democrat and a Liberal, but I stopped supporting MoveOn.org over the "Petraus don't betrayus" ad. Know what happens when you go too far? Well, Republicans in "safe" districts are going to find out - the donations dry up, folks stop volunteering for you and they often just stay home at election time.
Again, "ido" provide us with you evidence from reliable sources. Provide us with the President's approval rating and then with the approval rating of Congress. While you are there, read the information for yourself, draw your own conclusion, and then apologize for being a lying parrot.
Still waiting for your documented outrage over the BushII recess appointments. One would think that, since you have such superior knowledge of the issue, you would have that documentation at hand.
Where is it "ido"?
Feisty, yes, I caught it. AM rarely lets a day go by without a cheap shot; ignoring, of course, that AF One is fully connected to DC and it has phones! I usually don't turn her show on or turn it off but knew the speech time.
Ido, how many times must someone point out to you that Romney only got 47% of the vote--fitting, too, because of his disdain for 47% of Americans.
Benghazi is nothing more than an event of fake out rage for the GNOP. An excuse to oppose the President!
Apparently wisdom is a disease down there.
Gotta love the geniuses in Florida …
3 million Canadians visit Florida every year spending $3 Billion. A nice chunk of change for a struggling economy. Grease the rails for even more bucks? No, pass a law that Canadians must now have an International Driver’s License.
Y’all down there ready to get yours for when you come up here?
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/02/14/floridas_international_drivers_licence_rule_leaves_canadians_fuming.html
Huh, I thought I heard cat-calls ... out in the wild...on this Valentine's Day?
I was correct...U R out here calling out ...
Trying to convince a raccoon to crap in my neighbour's yard instead of mine.
I would love to see Leon Panetta go ahead and tell the Nation and the Senate that he will be leaving his current office at once, as the United States Secretary of Defense.
The reason being they the Senate have had more than ample time to confirm a new Secretary of Defense. There is no reason what so ever for these GNOP to continue to hold the process up. Period!!!
Job, it is my understanding that today is Leon Panetta's last day as SoD. After today, we will be left Secretary of Defenseless.
blackcatwhitecat
Trying to convince a raccoon to crap in my neighbour's yard instead of mine.
How's that coming along? LOL
I guess Ann Murray won't be singing "snowbird" anymore...
Hagel has nothing to do with Benghazi....what BS !!!
From now on, all Republican cabinet members get filibustered !!!
OBERSTURMFURER HAGEL..
IS in TROUBLE..
Maybe He can ask His FRIENDS..Hammas..and HEZBOLLAH..to help him Out..?
Did you have too much commi-food?
I can tell....you have got too much corporate welfare!
ahhh a regular OCCU=PLOP OBAMMY NANNY SPAWN..
"See how they run..like Pigs from a gun"..J.L
Beatle quotes eh? Try Justin Beiber, more your speed.
SUSIE SOROS..She has CREAMED Her FREE OBAMA Cheese...
OMG!, aliblahblah is Glenn Beck!
Republican Senate members extorting the American people when we are in a precarious and dangerous position to be caught flat-footed due to GOP recalcitrant. Disgraceful behavior. Do not cave in any manner Mr. President enough already Harry, change filibuster rules as the Consitution intended, no longer let the GOP hold America hostage to ideology.
NEO
NAZI
NEANDRATHAL
NEWS
=
MSNBC
Had enough of your elephant dung dropped spewage--now on ignore!
yeah, you are a real rocket scientist, go back to watching judge judy and playing with yourself
Is this aliblah thing a REREG ? Well on ignore anyway.
Happy V Day to all my friends here !!
Then why are you here? I am sure FOX would love another crazy.
aliblahblah,
Are you Rush Limpball?
BUT ....OBAMA..WANTS HAGEL..
HAGEL..will Be a Convienient MOUTHPIECE..with NO Chance of His OWN OPINIONS..
OBAMA Will Pull the Strings..and Hagel's Mouth ..will move..
Even Now ...
Hagel and OBAMA..are Making White Flags..
To Distribute..To The MOOSE-LAMBS-Bros..in The Hood...in Egypt..
ALONG with ..can openers..OBAMA ..sends F-16's and M1A1 Abrahms Tanks...
Tanks..for The Garage Sales ..for SHARIA LAW...
you must be well aware that you come across as a complete moron, right?
He sounds like his hero Are you Rush Limpball.
I'm totally convinced! It's that bat @!$%# crazy Glenn Beck!
aliblahblah,
What cabinet member acts beyond their boss's wishes? Just like at work, of course you do work don't you, if you tick off your boss or don't do what he wants you to do you are fired. So to say that Obama is a puppet is no more correct than Lincoln was a puppeteer for his cabinet, or Eisenhower was for his, Reagan, Rutherford B Hays or any other president.
The Cabinet Secretary's job is, in part, the boss' mouthpiece for his/her department. Nothing new but when brought up as something bad or unusual it merely shows undeserved hatred for the president.
Where were you when Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft and Bush43 where shredding the Constitution? Did you speak out when they said that the Constitution is just a GD piece of paper?
What would you have as a policy in the Middle East...spending billions more off budget, spending lives and treasure instead of using diplomacy? Would you have us be the bully of the world or the peace maker and benevolent big brother to those who aspire to be free? Mistakes will be made and we learn from them and move on.
War is not the answer to every international problem.
Bottom line is that even if the President wanted a yes man to work for him as Secretary of Defense, that is his prerogative, not that of the opposition party.
The only reason Congress gets to confirm his appointees is formality. Yes they should verify that he has the appropriate qualifications. Check. Yes they should confirm that he is a loyal American and not some foreign government agent. Check.
As to his politics or opinions, that has nothing to do with the nomination. Congress doesn't get to decide Administration policy. They are free to criticize it if they so choose, but beyond that, they don't get to decide it or who the President chooses to implement it.
Maybe the Republicans just assume that all Republicans are idiots like them and therefore it would be bad to choose one.
Why don't these MFers just stage a coup already and then we can execute them for treason!
These guys will stoop to anything to try to impede Obama. The President reaches across the aisle and picks a former Republican Senator and they spit in his face. Hagel is a twice wounded veteran enlisted man. Two Purple Hearts, a proven war hero. The man has spent a large part of his adult life supporting veterans and looking out for our troops. What more can they want?
Why bother to let the President pick the people who work for him? Why not just let Congress choose who they want?
If Republicans block this nomination through filibuster they are dropping to a new unprecedented all time low. These guys are insane. They will just let the country go to hell so they can look back and call Obama a failed President. They will take us all down to prove a point, or more accurately fulfill their prediction.
This isn't about Hagel, it's about Obama. It's not like the Secretary of Defense can overrule the President's decisions about policy. The Secretary implements the Presidents policies. If he doesn't want to do that the President can fire him. Maybe the President should nominate McCain, get him approved and then fire him a week later. They might very well have the opportunity to gain a Senate seat in the process!
Republicans are just continuing the obstruction role.
I'm think blahblah sounds more like batcrap crazy Wayne LaPierre; he makes no sense either.
Judging from the symptoms, "blahblah" would seem to be the victim of the intense shock treatments he/she/it received during an unfortunate incarceration at the Michelle Bachmann Home for Bastard Palin Children.
As disgusting as it is, it never hurts us to see exactly what the "tea" party is and remember that THIS is the gutter slime that the Republican Party, in their lack of judgement, panders to.
MSNBC
THE LITTER
BOX
FOR OBAMA
LIARS
AND SUPPORTERS
We want more information on the incident that Cheney The Dickk shot his Valentine in the face.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
BENGHAZI...
OBAMA DID
NOTHING
EXCEPT
WORRIED
ABOUT
HIS ELECTION
WHILE
CHRIS STEVENS
WAS REPEATEDLY...
SODOMIZED..
TORTURED
AND MURDERED..
OBAMA
DID
NOTHING............
hey...aliblahblah... U R constipated after eating too much commie-goat cheese
all caps really makes your stupidity more intellegent sounding.
alib...... - the lie about Stevens being sodomized has been debunked over and over again. You disrespect him by continuing to post such a disgusting lie. But you show yourself to be the gutter trash you clearly are!
YOU
DISREPECT
YOURSELF..
A
PROGRESSIVE
OBAMA
LYING
PROPAGANDIST
alib..... you're on ignore. Filth like yours shouldn't be acknowledged.
After y'all put him on ignore, we must notify the moderators so they can check him for re-reg violations and ban his sorry ass.
Oh, and the losers that voted him up in his comment about Amb. Stevens should be sodomized repeatedly. You are all a bunch of filthy bastards to denigrate the death of a great American.
AlaskaGirl . . .
NO KIDDING! I can't believe people wander through these boards and vote up so many sick, vile, and disgusting posts. That and some of the screenames as well. Good lord!
Well, Layton, we can chalk it up to "Foxapocalypse". Ever since they shut down their asylum, all the insane people have moved over here. There are some pretty sick bastards in this country, based on their comments. I truly believe that Fox and Rush have fostered this kind of behavior and now when the party wants to pull back, they can't. They created a monster and the monsters roam free reeking havoc on this society. As long as those two entities are here, they will continue to breed the filth that is in this country.
"I truly believe that Fox and Rush have fostered this kind of behavior"
I agree 100%. They figured out that by riling up their audiences, they'd be "fun" to watch, and they'd get higher ratings. They still get higher ratings, but they've created a horrible group of people whose entertainment is to indulge in hatred of modern America (that is, an America that includes all the people that they hate - minorities, intellectuals, school teachers, women, gays, scientists, etc).
The silver lining is that they've made the Republican party reputation that of mean-spirited wackos. Especially as the older folks, who remember when Republicans were normal, die off, the Republican party is going to be left with only people like Aliblahblah.
But don't put him on ignore, and don't ban him. He reminds us of how incredibly awful conservatives have become today. He is a big embarassment to Republicans; if they get enough, they may wise up and tell Fox and Rush to take a hike.
noncoms ...
No kidding. I enjoyed your entire post and would have voted it up more if possible.
noncoms - you're right. I'll take the idiot off ignore. Although, most of us realize EVERY day how awful conservatives have become! :-)
Its long past time to expunge these obstructionist morons from our governement. We the People are sick of it. it is not acceptable. they will destroy the country just to make a point.
IF YOU
WANT
B>U>L>L> SHYTTE..
THIS
IS THE PLACE..
ALL
THE
OBAMMY
NANNY
SPAWNS
ARE
HERE
IF
YOU ARE A
MASOCHIST
OR A SHEEP..
YOU
HAVE
FOUND
YOUR HOME
HERE
Hhahahahahahhahahahah
...still constipated?? It should read:
Did you see the difference?
Ali--You really need to follow your doctors orders and stay on the meds or this will continue to happen again and again. You remind me of an overflowing toilet. Just go the @#%& away.
LAST
TUESDAY
NIGHT
MILLIONS
of
AMERICANS
NEEDED
A
GLASS
OF
WATER..
MILLIONS
THREW
UP..
WATCHING
OBAMA's
SPEECH
You are so wrong you must be blind, deaf, and dumb...and I do mean DUMB.
Now go on the Focks new site and blab all you want to your buddies.
TROLL much?
I didn't think the Republican party could sink any lower and then they pull a stunt like this over the nomination of one of their own members. It is truly appalling.
watching the GOP devour there own !!! Coudnt get better than this !!! Obama is a smart/sly politician. Continue on GOP.
OBAMA..He's Only..a Liar...
HAGEL...
Concedes his appointment..under Pressure..
Will now Run for....SULTAN..of CAIRO......................
Is That You?..Is That You Ben..?
Why..?
'Ole Ben Ghazi..it's You.. !
Get 'outta here Ben..
You're 'gonna screw Up Obersturmfurer HAGEL's ...appointment
At some point, someone has to give up the desire for revenge and recrimination. Apparently, that will not be John McCain. The Tower nomination was completely different. No one was waiting for information completely unrelated to the nominee. Benghazi is all they have and they are grasping at it desperately. It is pathetic.
Looks like we have some chicks in here that need to get back in front of the stove. Let the men handle it girls.
Tom-1772695 - oh another little boy who can't stand smart, successful, strong women. Clearly a Republican. Go Away.
We women aren't afraid to be in the mix with the men however BOYS like you are not worth the effort! Your post shows you are clearly lacking in a specific department!
Your wife is waiting for you in the kitchen ... she is holding a large cast iron frying pan. I await the hollow thud as it meets the back of your head.
HA! A wife? Doubtful.
Not to sound like a broken record but, again, we need to take a very, very close look at the truth behind the "tea" party. Chicks back in front of the stove??? Really??
Their hatred and disgust for women was proven by the "rape is a part of "god's" plan" rhetoric and is reinforced by "tom's" heartfelt comment above.
...and never, NEVER forget that this is the kind of trash that the Republicans bow to for a few measly votes.
Nominate Lugar next and keep working down the list of moderate repubs like him until the GOP implodes.
Maybe Warren Buffet? Hey not much different than having CEO Cheney running the country from VP spot for those years.
Hagel will be confirmed and McCain will look ridiculous. Nothing to worry about, 2014 should clear the air a bit more.
Love your name!
Love your name?
AlaskaGirl...have you been bitten by a love bug on this Valentine's Day ... loving everything in sight?
Can anyone identify another Western Democracy that requires a super majority vote on things like this and ordinary legislation...in other words, is there another country with a democratically elected gov't that has anything akin to the fillibuster, and by fillibuster, I mean the modern fillibuster where a senator can simply put a hold on legislation/nominations, as opposed to the traditional one that required the objecting senator to actually be physically present debating for entire time, alla Mr. Smith Goes to Washington style....
Constitution, written by rich white slave owners, needs a major tuneup to get us close to the freedom and liberty most countries who used it as boilerplate then improved have now.
That is why the poor and middle class of: Canada, Germany, Sweden, etc. etc. and so on are doing much better and have more upward mobility spread to all their people. The rich and far right don't like worker unions, but they actually have the strongest (secret) union in their hostage-taking clan these past few years.
R U for real? Then why don't you move to Canada, Germany, Sweden, etc. etc. The collective intellect and wisdom of the framers has never been matched. Not here, not anywhere. Nor will it ever be. Who do you think should re-write the constitution? Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Schumer and Frank?
Jack, how are the mint julips and your plantation doing?
That's very interesting of you to say, "jack". Please explain to us why, when Republicans really want to pander to their idiotic base, they do so by flapping their lips about amending the Constitution? Balanced budget? Term limits? Any of that ring a little bell with you, "jack"? Can you explain why it is OK for your side to suggest amendments but it is not OK for anyone else? In the United States, equality is very cherished. Why do you wax nostalgic about our fore-fathers and then crap in the face of the equality they fought so hard to bless us with?
Before you start pointing your dirty little paws at others, perhaps you should look within...and then you should apologize for pretending to be a patriot when you are not.
good point shock, they always have a selective memory...or is it political alzheimers?
Hagel is dead in the water.
He might be a vet, but he doesn't have the guts for the job.
A defense secretary arms guns with ammunition.
He does not put flowers in the barrels.
Viewer - with every post you look even more moronic - congratulations! Didn't think that was possible!
he doesn't have the guts for the job? Because he didn't lose his temper under questioning? I don't get your point.
I see the left wing nut jobs out protecting a guy that thinks we should get rid of our entire nuclear arsenal so that other countries can follow our examples. The problem is , North Korea, Iran and other terrorist countries will not cut down their stockpiles and will love to see the US sitting here like a lame duck ready to be nuked to hell. I say to hell with the democrats/liberals and their radical agenda.
Vote the repubs out. Pathetic how they keep trying to blame the actions of terrorists on their opponents. Its a smoke screen and a smear campaign all in one. Without a shred legitimacy. The ONLY people responsible are the terrorists.
McCain is just a bitter old man, and one of the worst partisan hacks in the Senate.
McCain doesn't like Hagel because he isn't a Warmonger like him. McCain is like another Cheney.
So lets replace the old white men with 40 something black men.
Reid was foolish to allow the filibuster rules to remain in place.
It is time to shut down the Obama cover ups! Obama is making Nixon look like a choir boy!