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Subscribe to RSSBreaking down yesterday’s Valentine’s Day filibuster against Chuck Hagel… The many sides of John McCain… McCain’s straight talk: The opposition to Hagel is rooted, in part, in his criticism of George W. Bush… Senate Dems offer their proposal to replace the sequester… Obama heads to Chicago… And on Lautenberg and Booker.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Senate Armed Services Committee members, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. confer on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, at the start of the committee's hearing on the appointments of military leaders.
*** The Valentine’s Day filibuster: Safe to say, there was little love in the U.S. Senate yesterday on Valentine’s Day. Senate Republicans used a filibuster to temporarily block Chuck Hagel’s nomination to head the Pentagon -- the first time a filibuster had ever been used against a defense secretary nominee and just the third time ever against a cabinet secretary pick. A combination of reasons contributed to 41 Republicans denying Hagel the 60 votes he needed to clear the procedural hurdle: Some were always opposed to Hagel; others were mad at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for not respecting a GOP “hold” and scheduling the vote; some were mad at the White House over Benghazi; and one GOP senator (Orrin Hatch) voted “present” because of the precedent that a no vote would send. Here’s the bottom line on where Hagel’s nomination stands: A delay is never a good thing, because it gives his opponents additional time to try to torpedo his nomination. That said, the fact that Hagel essentially got 59 votes (including four from Republicans) suggests he’s likely to be confirmed when this vote comes up again in late February. But we’re going to have to wait another two weeks until the Senate returns from its recess. Yet more than anything else, yesterday highlighted a growing problem for the GOP in the Age of Obama: It’s clear what they are against, but what are they for?
*** The many sides of John McCain: This week seemed to bring out both the maverick and anti-Obama partisan in Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). On Tuesday, he rebuked fellow GOP Sen. Ted Crux (R-TX) for crossing a line during the Senate Armed Services Committee’s consideration of Hagel’s nomination. “No one on this committee at any time should impugn his character or his integrity," McCain said of Cruz’s suggestion that Hagel might have taken money from countries like North Korea. But then two days later, McCain joined most of his Republican colleagues in blocking Hagel’s nomination, at least temporarily. At first, McCain said that while he opposed Hagel, he wouldn’t join a GOP filibuster against him. Then he threatened a filibuster if the Obama White House didn’t answer particular questions about last year’s Benghazi attack. Yet after the White House replied to his questions, McCain said that the GOP demands by Sen. Cruz and others for more information about Hagel speeches amounted to “reasonable requests,” as the Washington Post notes. Talk about whiplash.
*** McCain’s straight talk: So what’s the real story? Well, McCain himself shared it late Thursday afternoon during a FOX interview, in which he suggested his opposition to Hagel was rooted in the former senator’s criticism of George W. Bush. It was a little straight talk, if you will. “There's a lot of ill will towards Sen. Hagel because when he was a Republican, he attacked President Bush mercilessly,” McCain said. “At one point, he said he was the worst president since Herbert Hoover, said the surge was the worst blunder since the Vietnam War, which is nonsense. He was very ‘anti ’his own party, and people don't forget that.” Let’s be clear: The only reason why Hagel was blocked yesterday was because McCain changed his mind. Just one more senator needed to vote for cloture to clear yesterday’s procedural hurdle. And looking ahead, McCain remains an enigma. He is a key player in the bipartisan push for immigration reform, which the Obama White House views as its top legislative priority this year -- after resolving the budget stalemates. But McCain also has opposed almost all the key legislative matters over the past four years, even those he’s supported in the past. Obama’s two Supreme Court nominees. The DREAM Act. The New START treaty. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. One thing to remember about McCain: He was a sharp thorn in Bush’s side in 43’s first term, but he became more helpful in the second term. Could we see a similar pattern with Obama?
*** Senate Dems offer their proposal to replace the sequester: Also on Capitol Hill yesterday, Senate Democrats unveiled their proposal to ward off the so-called sequester. The New York Times: “Senate Democratic leaders reached agreement Thursday on a $110 billion mix of tax increases and spending cuts to head off automatic spending cuts through the end of the year. But with even some Democrats tepid on the proposal, the chances of a deal before the March 1 deadline have receded. The Democratic proposal would establish a 30-percent minimum tax rate on incomes over $1 million to raise about $54 billion over 10 years” -- the Buffett Rule. “It would raise $1 billion more by subjecting tar sands oil to a tax to pay for oil-spill cleanups and by ending a business tax deduction for the cost of moving equipment overseas.” Folks, there’s little chance of the Buffett Rule surviving; it’s always the first thing in beginning talks and first thing out. That said, this is how you do negotiations. The real key in this Dem offer is the cuts they DID agree to and the oil and gas tax loopholes they offered up. We’re about 60% of the way there, perhaps.
*** Obama heads to Chicago: Today, Obama heads to his hometown of Chicago, where he gives remarks at 3:45 pm ET. Per the White House, the president will discuss some of the economic proposals from his State of the Union address. But make no mistake, this visit will also be about the gun violence in Chicago. By the way, how can you tell Obama no longer has to worry about being re-elected? He’s heading to Florida for a vacation, where he’ll be getting golf lessons from former Tiger Woods golf coach Butch Harmon, according to Golf Digest.
*** On Lautenberg and Booker: Lastly, we learned yesterday that 89-year-old Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) won’t seek re-election in 2014. As our colleague Steve Kornacki asked yesterday, why didn’t Newark Cory Booker wait for this inevitable announcement before saying he’d run for the seat, a move that only alienated Lautenberg and his allies? Booker has shown that he’s very good at the P.R. side of being a politician. But he’s made two big errors in the past year: 1) contradicting Team Obama on its criticism of Mitt Romney’s time at Bain Capital and 2) not waiting to run for the Senate until incumbent Lautenberg made up his mind. By the way, one other overlooked aspect of Lautenberg’s retirement -- he’s the last remaining WWII veteran in the Senate.
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From the looks of John McCain's bloated "BEER BELLY", we now know what the Arizona Senator does when the Arizona sun is high. That doesn't come from Bud Lite, that's the "high octane" stuff.
I have a message for McCain and Graham. The prior obstructionists, Newt and Barr during Clinton's administration are on the political dumpster of history. History is about to repeat itself with these bigoted politicians who just cannot say yes to anything OBAMA. If Obama had nominated MCCain or Graham to this post, Graham or McCain himself would have opposed themselves just because Obama's signature is on it. These people have no fear of God.
They are BIGOTED..
LOL always calling people bigots...
That's leftwingmumbojumbotalk for I have no original thought in my brain so I will call them a bigot-
Lame is as lame does...
Dev.....if it walks like a duck?
salsa girl...if it walks like a duck it must be you after a date.
Madison, a jar of private label petroleum jelly and a paper towel is you after a date.
And by the way republicans: Marco Rubio will never be President. The old white republicans would never want a Cuban in the White House. Rubio is the republican puppet for now...until he starts pushing his "fake" immigration reform and then they'll all turn on him... should be fun to watch. Rubio can't even handle a 15 minute GOP rebuttal speech... Rubio, next time have your handlers put that water bottle closer so you can reach it with grace......LOL
'Course it's revenge - that's what it's all about with republicans.
Wrong. They are representing the people that voted them in. That is what elected politicians do. Just ask Obama.
The Republican Party is continuing to test the American people patients with their crazy antics. The American people have lost their patients with the Republican Party and will not tolerate their behavior. The American people will take actions to put a stop this nonsense, now and in 2014. In addition, the Republican Party has embarrassed the American political system to the world and shame on them. It does not appear it will get better because the Republican Party policies are not good for the American people. However, the American people will come to gather and take back the Congress from the Republican Party to bring some structure to our government. The Republican Party are making themselves to be distinct from our government.
The American people are listening and watching; and If Republicans thinks otherwise, they are sadly mistaken. This filibusters tactic is nothing but ludicrous by the Republican and it makes them look foolish. Revenge, dislikes, differences of opinion, and hate are poor excuse to filibusters a cabinet position.
Personally, I think it is time that we have a "protest" in D.C to let the Republican Party know that the American people mean business. We need to remind the Republican Party that they work for the American people and tell them what we want. They must stop obstructing our government and get the people's work done.
I am fired up and it is time we take our concerns on the road and protest.
Wasn't that what those occupy dirtbags were doing?
The only action that needs to be taken is to impeach OBAMA, PELOSI and CLINTON, they are the biggest threats to America. OBAMA never had a thought about anything someone is always in the wings telling him what to say, Pelosi is as trashy as OBAMA, they have spent the TAXPAYERS money on travel more than any other President or elected official. OBAMAs trip to Hawaii cost the TAXPAYERs millions of dollars, Pelosi going home every week 2 or 3 times cost the TAXPAYERS $500,000 each trip. Both of these could just stay at the white house or camp david or visit the home they own and save all this money, but these two are like drunken sailors with the TAXPAYERS money. No one in the BIG goernment cares a flip about the AMERICAN people all they care about are the illegals, welfare mothers and no accounts that they want to give the hard working AMERICANS money too to spread the wealth, they don't say anything about spreading their wealth. The Democrats need to be reminded we are not their cash cow and stop spending our money on programs for people that do not or will not work. AMERICA was built on hard work and everyone worked, the government took care of no one, my aunt raised three kids by herself working at Vanity Fair mills and then a bakery, she did it not the government and that is the way it should be done now, but DEMOCRATS do not want this, they want socialism, communism and BIG government to tell you when you can do anything. GET rid of them and people that believe what they say because they are too ignorant to know what they really are.
Jacqueline....the only thing America is watching is the increasing number of Welfare , Food Stamp, Housing Supplements and POVERTY stricken citizens which continues under this POS POTUS ' WATCH. Historical Numbers, and everlasting Unemployment AFTER HAVING WASTED SEVERAL TRILLIONS of Borrowed $$$$$$....yeh, that's your "Dear Leaders'" Legacy...The WELFARE / "NOT IN" President.
Madison, how is that 8 track tape player working out for you?
Jac: The fact that you do not understand the difference between "patients" and "patience" tells me you are a low information voter, but a vociferous one.
All you had to do was to listen to Pelosi on Fox Newsmaker Sunday and you know she has no clue. We don't have a spending problem, we just don't tax enough.
"only action that needs to be taken is to impeach OBAMA, PELOSI and CLINTON"
We elect these people to do the working peoples work and what do we get ? obstruction , filibustering , aw were going back home for a recess ,,,, ?? recess is for children Boehner and Reid ...
Why are Leroys always right?
That's funny.
no...leroys seem to be always LEFT and WRONG .....as in Socialists, Communists, Junk yard Dogs, and pig phuckers.
I laugh WITH Leroy. I laugh AT Madison. True story.
I guess we have all failed to remember John Tower, Robert Bork, and John Bolton.
Republicans have Out Lived their USE-LESS-NESS.....
Checks and balances big guy, checks and balances...
Calm down.
Do nothings little guy, do nothings....
President Obama knows the Constitution does not say you need 60 votes to make appointments. President Obama needs to appoint Hagel during the up coming congressional recess. Congress will be gone on vacation all next week "again".
Do your thang President Obama.
Hagel was right when he said: Bush is the "worst" President since Herbert Hover.
Hagel was right when he said: The Iraq war was the "worst blunder" since Viet Nam.
McCain looks so stupid.
His "thang" is F'ing up the country at record pace!
(See: 17 Trillion $$ debit, no budget for 4 years)
$10 Trillion came from Bush, don't forget.
Dow Jones - 8-2008 - 8,400 (bush)
Dow Jones - 2-2013 - 14,000+ (Obama)
Smart American's know who was really f**king up the country?
What about no budget?
No budget=no balls.
Bozo has no balls!!!!
(Super Majority for 2 years, yet the man had no balls to pass a budget)
Moochelle has all the balls...and teeth...
I'm done with Republicans. The are truly the root of all ills, and are incapable of governing in any way, shape, or form. I'm not to enamored with Democrats either, but they have at least a little more common sense then the current Republican gang of idiots. They can't even confirm one of their own, and the house is filibutt-heading for info that has nothing to do with the confirmation of the Secretary of Defense.
And they have the nerve to take a 10-day recess??!!??
MORONS!
Damn-didn't know the democrats stayed behind to work.Speaking of MORONS,the house has nothing to do with this.Let me guess,an Obama voter.LMAO
OMFGosh, enough with more taxes already! Stop spending so much on things that don't help this country, or don't matter, or put money in to pet projects that keep failing and going in to bankruptcy.
Hand ups work. Hand outs don't!
Sorry it's too hard for you to understand.
When you double the US military budget in 8 years as Bush did.........
You need taxes to pay for it.
It's really very simple, planes and bombs don't just magically appear.....They cost money.
When you invade a foreign country......It costs money.
Make sense?
And when people who are perfectly capable of working, CHOOSE not to work and to live off of the government by collecting welfare....You need taxes to pay for that, too.
Please think about both sides of the coin.
Its about time someone stopped his selection, he is against everything especially the military. He is a disgrace and an OBAMA puppet. There has got to be someone that is a better choice and that can make a decent thought. He cannot even read. He's also too old. I know the democrats want him because they can control him, if you cannot be bought, controlled or bullied into doing what the BIG government wants you are out.
Vietnam Vet with a Purple Heart is against the military? These people are DELUSIONAL.
You apparently have not read his remarks, you need to look further into what he really is an OBAMA puppet.
sonja, you apparently have so little an understanding of the Cabinet confirmation process that you are clueless to the fact that a President can CHOOSE like minded Cabinet members. Pathetic.
salsa.,
By your logic then, McCain is for the military as well, yet you regularly dis him. Double standard ?
his interview before the senate was awful. how could anyone vote for this man. oh wait, obama got elected. never mind
Actually McCain wanted Hagel to be his Secretary of Defense before he didn't want Hagel to be Obama's Secretary of Defense. True story.
LOL exactly George!
McCain's jealous because President Obama didn't want him...lol
President Obama doesn't need 60 votes to make this appointment. I hope he does it during the congressional vacation next week.
Keep up, Federal COURT said NO to that. Nation of LAW, not men.
The GOP is truly the Good Ole Boys Network. They stand together through thick and thin and push back against anything that they or their Corporate backer don't like. They are like a click of girls that think that there Sh#t doesn't stink and look down on everybody else.
Get off it boys, you're not worth it. At least the Dems vote their minds, They do not always work together and they vote from their heart. Thought I might not like their stance all the time, at least their more honest than the GOP and their corporate handlers.
This is news?
Republicant Party of No.
4 more years on do little, do nothing.
Whats the BIG government going to do when all the taxpayers quit work, they do not make anything, manufacturer anything that are part of the entitlement group that they are always talking about. What a crock.
Ah.. you've missed the plan, eh? Police agencies may now search and seize without warrants... thanks to Bush and Obama...and we are the largest prison system in the history of history..thanks to every President since Nixon.
Three strikes laws ensures us that we can keep the prisons overfilled... We have a long tradition of no knock warrants... And prisoners do a lot of work for little, if any, money!
Keep voting...BWAHAHAHAHA We're doing great!!
I LOVE THIS!!!
"The Republicans" are pretending to filibuster an appointment of one of their own party by "the Democrats"... and he represents a change in US policy towards Israel! There shall be nobody to blame soon!
Of course since Saudi Arabia may now anonymously purchase US politicians (post Citizens United) these sorts of performances are inevitable... but let's all forget everything that's actually happening, and just focus on what politicians say...
...so that we can ALL re elect Congress in 2014!!!!
I just LOVE the way things are going... don't you?
He was mean to George Bush.
Seriously? EVERYBODY was mean to George Bush. He was a disaster. His own party doesn't want to be associated with him.
Flip Flop McCain changes direction more than a weather vane.
Bozo is worse
No he's not.
Bozo was Bush's nickname.
The least significant choice in the world is Democrats vs Republicans.
This is mock partisanship and political theater designed to usher in new policies on Israel. Nobody is even filibustering!!
I'm personally glad to see the change coming...but it WOULD be nice if it were a democratic process... You know, instead of foreign countries buying US politicians anonymously under that Citizens United law the SCOTUS passed...
But really, the days of democracy in the US ended in the 20th century.
LOL, nope-- Bozo is all the O-rings name---
Have you seen those EARS??
What a F'ing Bozo!!!
Actually I'm liking O-ring as his new name-- kinna fits him lol...
President Obama needs to let Hagel go and choose a Democrat for the appointment.
Well – at last we have an honest Republican. John McCain told the truth. The Republican opposition to Hagle isn’t about Israel, it’s not about Iran, it’s not about Benghazi, it’s not about qualifications. It’s about Hagle’s failure to follow the party line more than 6 years ago. John McNasty proves what I’ve been saying for the last 4 years --- with Republicans it’s party first, the nation second. Republicans should be reminded they took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, not an oath to defend the Republican Party. The bottom line is cannot be a 21st century Republican and be a good American at the same time. Senator John McCain…”Country First” ---- BS!!!
LOL Charlie is gonna blow his o-ring!
"follow the party line"?
I thought McCain was a "maverick" ??
No The Dev --- I just say the truth and you hate it.
I think Charlie just ruptured his O-ring and messed his panties...
Might wanna give him a moment peeps-
Might wanna give him a moment peeps-
I think you might want to grow up The Dev. How old are you 5, 6, perhaps even 7?? Probably not 7. Most 7 year olds could make more mature comments.
I guess you did blow the old O-ring again huh?
Bozo will wipe it for you if mommie is busy...
Well, so much for the "intimidating pro-Israel lobby". It clearly does not exist...
Wow, the talks of raising taxes and cutting budget. Leads me to believe it looks like this administration is only looking how to cure the symptoms of our problems and not the problem itself.
Now with unemployment at nearly 8% and a record number of people on some type of welfare. The money is just leaving the coffers of the government and not being returned. So instead of bickering about raise these taxes and cut this program, they should look on how to get people working again. Wouldn't this solve most of the budget issues, less going out, more coming in. This administration has failed at this, it almost makes me believe they want people to be reliant on the government for every days needs such as rent and food.
So until people are working again, we will not see a better America, just a failing America.
So let me gets this straight, McCain doesn't like Hagel because while he was a Republican he apposed Bush and a war that is now seen as the biggest foreign policy mistake in our countries history and was started based on a series of either known or unknown falsely stated facts. I say that makes him the best pick out there. A man that will stand up for what he believes is best for the country, even if its not popular, even if its political suicide, lets make him defense secretary now and president in 3 and a half years.
Woof! Holldoggie will never be president, the Dems cornholed her and let this bozo get her spot--
Hilldog will be (OUCH) 70 by 2016 and ready for the old folks home...hope she gets abused(often)!
LOL
Madison sure has some low informed thoughts, along with some others. Like I said before, it's competely legal for the Senate NOT to confirm him. And it's COMPETELY LEGAL for Obama to go around the do nothing POS's in the GOP and appointed the assistance as the care taker of the Dept of Defense.
But still Madison could call me names, but couldn't answer a simple question. Hey MADISON, if Obama has violated the constitution like you low informed base people claim, why hasn't the GOP impeached him? Until madison CAN answer that question, truthfully, his future remarks are just like smelly manure. And as valueable as the smelly manure is worth, which is NOTHING.