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Subscribe to RSSWith the Senate falling short Thursday of the 60 votes needed to move to a confirmation vote on defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, Majority Leader Harry Reid was correct in claiming that never before had the Senate had a cloture vote on a nominee to run the Defense Department.
Related: The Valentine's Day filibuster
But it’s not unprecedented for the Senate to have cloture votes on other presidential nominations – from ambassadors to judges.
The Senate changed its rules in 1949 to allow cloture motions on nominations, but cloture wasn’t sought on a nomination until 1968. From that year until March of 2012 cloture was sought on 99 nominations, including some well-known nominees:
- Abe Fortas to be chief justice in 1968
- William Rehnquist to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1971 and to be chief justice in 1986
- John Bolton to be ambassador the United Nations in 2005
- Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the Federal Reserve in 2010
- Richard Cordray to be head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2012.
But not in every case of a cloture vote is there a prolonged debate on the nomination which ties up the Senate for days – in fact, in most cases there isn’t.
A cloture vote, if successful, allows a final up-or-down vote on confirming the nominee, after up to 30 more hours of debate. For confirmation, a simple majority is usually, but not always, all that is needed.
The decision to seek a cloture vote is in the majority leader’s hands and he can time cloture votes not merely to push forward a nomination and get a vacancy filled, but to paint the nominee’s opponents as obstructionists.
Reid and previous Senate leaders have used cloture votes to drive political messages and to generate enthusiasm among their party’s base.
Case in point: Miguel Estrada, President George W. Bush’s nominee to the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist insisted on seven separate votes on cloture on the Estrada nomination in 2003.
MSNBC Analyst and former Chair of the RNC Michael Steele, editorial writer for The Washington Post Ruth Marcus, and NBC's Capitol Hill Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell join to talk about the Hagel confirmation, Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Each of them failed, but they hammered home that Reid and the Democrats were blocking a nominee whom Republicans thought was amply qualified and who happened to be a Latino immigrant.
“This is a dark moment, I believe, in the history of the United States Senate,” Frist said after the final vote on Estrada failed and the nominee withdrew.
Senators, Frist said “have been denied a very, very basic right” to vote on the nominee and “Miguel Estrada has been denied the opportunity to be considered by this body by a single up-or-down vote, whereby individual colleagues could vote either for or against a brilliant, a qualified nominee, all because of the obstruction of a few.”
More than a few: 43 Democrats, including Reid, voted against cloture on Estrada.
After Reid filed the cloture motion on Wednesday, Republicans denied that they really were stalling Hagel’s confirmation by a filibuster.
“What we are doing is not a filibuster,” Sen. Jim Inhofe, R- Okla., said Wednesday on the Senate floor. “We are seeking a 60 vote threshold for a controversial nomination. If the majority really wanted to move forward quickly, all they have to do is agree to a 60-vote margin, like they did with the (Kathleen) Sebelius and (John) Bryson nominations.”
When President Obama nominated Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services in 2009, Republicans and anti-abortion groups delayed her confirmation, partly due to her understating the amount of campaign contributions she had received from a Kansas abortion doctor, Dr. George Tiller, and partly due to her veto, as Kansas governor, of a bill to impose new limits on abortion providers.
In the negotiations over Sebelius, Reid and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to 60-vote threshold on confirmation – a procedure they could use in Hagel’s case as well.
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Inhofe contended that, “A 60-vote margin is not a filibuster. We are merely saying the Senate is entitled to this information” -- on speeches that Hagel had given in the past few years.
The term “filibuster” evokes images of actor Jimmy Stewart holding the Senate floor until he collapses from exhaustion in the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. And there have been famous single-senator filibusters: Sen. Strom Thurmond holds the record of 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to a civil rights bill in 1957.
But by the time the Senate voted on cloture Thursday there had been only two days of intermittent floor debate on Hagel’s nomination – with discussion of the defense secretary nominee interspersed with unrelated speeches on global climate change, the Keystone XL Pipeline, kidney transplants, whether certain sites in Plaquemines Parish, La. should be units of the National Park System and various other topics.
Whether those two days of intermittent debate were or weren’t a filibuster, congressional expert Sarah Binder who teaches political science at George Washington University said the Hagel debate “represents a significant change in the Senate's practice of advice and consent. The issue here is the target of the filibuster-- an appointment to the president's ‘inner cabinet.’ My sense is that there has generally been a strong degree of deference to the president over his appointments to the executive branch-- particularly over the choice of his top appointments to State, Treasury, Justice, and Defense.”
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee to be Defense Secretary, on Capitol Hill, Jan. 31, 2013.
Binder said, “I don't think we should be surprised to find partisan polarization seeping over into these top confirmation battles. Partisanship has spread almost everywhere else in the Senate.”
In the past filibusters and cloture votes were not always an essential part of delaying a nominee.
In the case of John Tower’s nomination to be defense secretary in 1989, President-elect George H.W. Bush announced his nomination in December of 1988, but it was not until March of 1989 that Tower was defeated – not on a cloture vote but on a confirmation vote. The vote came after six days of Senate floor debate.
Tower’s ally Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., denounced the delay: “I have a large problem with the scenario that we won’t vote until every single allegation that comes over the transom is investigated.”
Of all people, Reid knows how effective the threat of a filibuster can be: he was Senate minority whip in 203 and 2004 when Democrats successfully blocked confirmation votes on ten Bush appeals court nominees, including Estrada.
That Democratic filibuster effort won applause from progressive groups. “For months, Senate Democrats have been heroically holding out against President Bush's nominations of extremist judges to America's most powerful courts,” Moveon.org told its supporter in 2003.
Citing Estrada’s withdrawal, Moveon.org said, “Our campaign to stop Bush's extremist nominees has been extraordinarily successful so far.” Estrada’s defeat “was a major victory -- the first time Bush has conceded defeat on any nomination.”
Now for some progressive groups, the delay in Hagel’s confirmation makes the case for changing Senate rules to further limit filibusters.
In a statement Thursday night, George Kohl, Senior Director at the Communications Workers of America, a union that contributed heavily to Democratic candidates in 2012, said, “A real Senate reform package would have made the obstructionists hold the floor and keep 41 of their colleagues with them over a holiday weekend.” Kohl added “the Republicans in the Senate remain intent on breaking new ground in Senate obstruction,” and “Senate Democrats who worked to scuttle more substantial reforms have forfeited their right to complain.”
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What? Evolution? I thought the smartest GOP McMonkey (McCain the Space Monkey) has gone on to outerspace. The only GOP monkey senators left here on earth to do filibuster has so far defied evolution in their monkey business.
GOP is making history with filibusters, this is starting to look like the silver war !!!
From here on out, all Republican cabinet nominees get filibustered.
When is a filibuster NOT a filibusterer? when ReThuglicans say it is not a filibuster. LOL
"filibuster - Informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions."
that definition is from the Senate's own glossary!
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“No one on this committee at any time should impugn [Hagel's] character or his integrity," McCain said . . . "except ME or my poodle, Little Lindsey Graham!" (OK, I added the last "quote," but he might as well have said it.)
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Cant wait for the midterms
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FORWARD! 2014/16! :-)
Time to change the rules of the Senate, end the filibuster and kick the GOP POS in the @$$ and tell these obstructionist scumbags to go sit at the kiddies table
From the article . . .
And to think they were elected stating they would speak for their constituents. Looks like a bunch of Republican sheep to me. Least we could do is put lights on their back for a little entertainment . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniwI2hNhDs
We have to do everything we can to stop that liberal Democrat Hagel!!!! What? He's a Republican? Yes, we must filibuster a Republican, because they have proven to be too incompetent to make rational decisions lately!
I know it's breitbart but, history is history.
Oh, cannot wait for 2014.
GOP, you guys are SO GONE !!
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Brutus is an honorable man.
Were the other filibusters because of concerns with the nominees or were they, like the filibuster on Chuck Hagel's nomination...done purely out of spite?
And it would matter why Noid? Somebody has some questions. Point was, the press calling this "unprecedented" is BS. And the left is eating it up. Talk about LIV.
They only do it because they care so much 'bout 'Merka... And the "Merkan way. These proud minority patriots are our last defense against becoming relevant and respected again... Without them we'd all be forced to face facts and take actions. Without them the religiostic would be enslaved by their own ignorance in a fashion that didn't profit Corporate 'Merka at all. If they weren't dead set on delivering us a caste society they could be proud of, we serfs would probably just wander aimlessly and accidentally befriend "other" races. Without these fine examples of human beings, who would we carry on our backs? We'd just get soft, right?
Really? Were either of the other filibusters a nominee for Secretary of Defense at a time when this nation was involved in combat operations in a foreign land?
(You do understand that under similar circumstances Democrats would have had their patriotism called into question, yes?)
talk- just checked on one of your comments- S Johnson was NOT filibustered, one senator stated he was thinking of using the perogative of any senator and Block the appointment- just as Sen Rand says he will do with Brennan. But Johnson was NOT filibustered and he was confimed for appontment with a vote of 97-1.
As with most RepubliCON(emphasis on the CON) propaganda its all BS
Talk to the Hand
"And it would matter why Noid? Somebody has some questions. Point was, the press calling this "unprecedented" is BS. And the left is eating it up. Talk about LIV."
Well there's the difference right there TTTH!!... You think they're "Somebodies" while the Vast and expansive majority of REAL Americans ('Merkins excluded for lack of interest) think they're "Nobodies"!!
Why do you keep including 'merkins in your calculations? Much like legislation, voters must also have teeth! (note the plural reference there Billy-Bob).
Kidding aside, mount your damn uprising or get your greasy minority out of the way. Obstructionist hicks from the set of "Deliverance II" have a limited shelf-life due to inbreeding.
I'm a 40 year registered Republican and I can tell you that I will never vote Republican again, this party has become a dishonour to our nation !
Really, "talk..."? Breitbart? What...your normal lies and hypocrisy aren't good enough for you now? Your comments have always been the sludge that lies beneath the bottom of the barrel, but now you have gone completely septic...and, I'm sure, you feel right at home.
The Senate Republicans put their party's hatred before keeping the Untied States safe - by delaying the confirmation of a Defense Secretary (unprecedented, regardless what your beloved nazi lies about) that was, not to long ago, one of their trusted colleagues...and you, "talk..." can only sit there with your thumb up your bum whining about the language used in the news.
If irrelevant were added to the deadly sins, you would have issues with all 8.
Thinkerer--
No rule change, guy.. Same rules.
The difference is the people like Estrada were nut jobs. Hagel is a friggin' Republican(!) that Republicans are fillibustering.
Lunacy!
"it was ok for them to fillabuster GWB 10 times but now want to change the rules"
"I'm a 40 year registered Republican and I can tell you that I will never vote Republican again, this party has become a dishonour to our nation !"
I totally agree. I campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964 even though I was too young to vote at the time. I never voted for a Democratic president until 2008. The Republican Party of the 21st century is a collection of anti-American crazies. With the Republican Party today, it’s party first, second, and third with the nation a distant fourth.
Charlie- Bravo and thanks. Republicans I can sometimes admire. RepubliCONS(emphasis on the con) I cant. The Republicans died with the ascention of Rove and Norquist two old college buddies along with Reed
Take them all out and shoot them and then start over. Republicans that celebrate this are stupid cause it will come back on you. Dems you did it too. It is to bad all of the POS and all of the POS on this comment line don't think that being American is more important thatn being Dem Or GOP. Pond scum is what you all are, there are no winners, we just all lose.
Ried really screwed up when he thought he could have a gentleman's agreement over the fillibuster rule.
The New Republican party are a bunch of ass holes that are on the take by big business. They have gerrymandered the districts so only their candidates can win and pretend they are the party of honor.
We need one more sensible vote in the Supreme Court so we can get this country's politics back in order. I don't mind admitting I hope Thomas or Scalia drop dead for the sake of the country. The problem there is the Republicans will fillibuster a democrat replacement.
I'm sick and tired of the fake American Republican party that have their noses up the asses of the rich. They have no shame.
With the Far Right putting the fix in on voting, it is going to take an overwhelming turnout in 2014.
If any want to know how to salvage our down economy, which by the way was caused by Bush/Cheney policies, study FDR or Ike Eisenhower and see how it's done.
There is a way to fix the Internationalist Corporation negative influence on our economy. Put a heavy tax on incoming goods from American Corporations operating over seas. Treat their products just like we used to do with foreign goods. We still are the largest market, we should use that to force fake Americans to get real again. If the Internationalists won't cooperate and keep their products out of the USA, just think of how many jobs will need to be filled to start new Americaized busineses in their place. Just kick the Fukers out.
Right now the Right can get away pandering to the racist element because we have a "Negro" in the white house. Obama is intellectually on a level with Eisenhower, my choice for the greatest modern day president but he needs to get as tough. Ike would not put up with the Right wing crap and he was a Republican, a real Conservative. No president should have to put up with the crap the Republicans are doing just because they are pissed off they got beat on election day even as the cowards that can't win with an honest vote did all they could to keep the left from voting. That is treason!!!
It is the Israeli (jewish) lobby that is against Hagel and they do not want anyone as Secretary of Defense unless they are jewish or solidly pro-Israel and will represent Israeli interests over American. How many of those senators blocking his nomination are dual Israel/U.S. citizens that are more beholding to their homeland than they are of America? No one that is a lawmaker should be allowed to maintain a dual citizenship--talk of a conflict of interest.
I have three half Jewish sons and many best friends, and I happen to think that Jews on a per capita basis have the highest IQs. What I don't get is why we allow ourselves to be the dog that's wagged by the Israeli tail. Israelis made their bed and we should let them sleep in it without us.
OK, so as an ethnic group, they control most of the money. Something needs to be done about that. I don't mind them having the money, I just think we cannot let that fact rule this country.
You really are a world-class fool, aren't you? Republicans have filibustered hundreds of times in the last four years.
Once again we see the loony left suffering from "Selective Memory Disorder".
I guess you don't remember the filibuster of John Bolton:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/jun/21/20050621-121515-4570r/?page=all
Or the pathetic performance of the Democrats when they filibustered TEN SCOTUS nominees.
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You get what you give.
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And you're getting it now. Stop whining, you deserve it.
Besides, Hagel is a Jew hater.
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The turtle has no honor he agreed to use the filibuster sparingly and now this......... Lies, lies and more lies. The Republican Party must be kicked out of Washington in 2014; their costing this country billions of dollars every time they use delaying tactics like this. They know that the more they drag their feet there will be less time to pass legislation that could help the economy. This is the reason the Koch brothers fund Republican politicians.......... to slow and damage the economy so Koch industries can buy up other companies for pennies on the dollar.............. sounds like TREASON to me!
Reid failed to mention his opposition to a Bush administration cabinet nominee on nearly identical grounds.
“Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, it gets worse,” Reid lamented this morning on the Senate floor. “I’m going to call Chuck Hagel when I finish here and say, ‘I’m sorry, sorry this has happened. I’m sorry for the president, I’m sorry for the country, and I’m sorry for you.”
The momentum for a filibuster picked up steam when senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham indicated they would not vote to end debate and allow a vote on the nomination until the White House provided more information on the Benghazi attack. “Chuck Hagel had nothing to do with the attack in Benghazi,” Reid argued.
Former Idaho governor Dirk Kempthorne didn’t have anything to do with the Bush administration’s position on public land sales in Southern Nevada, either. Nonetheless, Reid in 2006 supported a filibuster of Kempthorne’s nomination as secretary of the interior until the administration agreed to redirect funds from an enormously profitable Nevada land management fund, set to go to the Treasury Department, to the state of Nevada.
“I said before that I couldn’t support Governor Kempthorne’s nomination unless we could come to an agreement about key public land issues,” Reid, who said the Senate minority leader at the time, said in a statement. When the Bush administration acceded to Reid’s demands, he declared his support for Kempthorne’s nomination.
Reid today repeatedly decried the GOP’s opposition to Hagel’s nomination, pointing to the historical nature of the alleged obstruction.
The republicans are a bunch of sorry a_— H---!!
Yeah, never mind the fact that Hagel thought we had a policy of containment with Iran... or that the surge would be the biggest mtake since the Vietnam War... or that Israel is a terrorist nation... or that the US is the world bully... All positions that are against US mainstay positions. So it's not like Hagel is incompetent or anything, right?
But that's ok, keep up the intelligent posts like "the republicans are a bunch of sorry a_— H---!!" or "The REAL problem Republicans have with Hagel --- President Obama appointed him." You sound like the political clowns that most liberals are. And it's not like the dems filibustered John Bolton or anything, right?
Obama has authorized the killing American citizens using drones without due process... and wants to spend even more money that we don't have... and NBC continues to only cover the Hagel debacle.
Another reason why, when surveyed, only 5% of those polled said NBC is the most trusted news source - tied with the Comedy Channel. Now THAT'S FUNNY! Keep up the good work, NBC!
Thanks Harry Reid, for your Not Reforming of the Senate Rules....
You got what you asked for you sorry A$$ weasel... And the American people will suffer another two years of Republican obstruction because of your Timid, Weak, Gutless Backbone sir...
Well, now we know where Republican loyalties lie. Certainly not with the best interests of this country. They would rather have us be without a Secretary of Defense while they go on "recess" (presumably enjoying their cookies and milk) and be bullies for their college frat-like "party" than serve the nation!
Not so Charlie. The President has nominated Hagel.
I do agree with the gist of your comment though.
The biggest advantage(for decades) for Republicans has been their cohesiveness. They always stuck together( right or wrong) for their candidates and party platform. The biggest disadvantage for Democrats has always been infighting that has split the party at times. They were the first of the Independent party voters. That independent spirit has cost them a few elections. Yet, the results of that spirit have made them the stronger party today by far.
The rigid demand from Republican leadership for party loyalty (above loyalty to one's own country) dangerously shrank their numbers. They were forced into a marriage of convenience with the Christian Right, then the Neo-cons and finally the Tea Party. This forced marriage has resulted in a badly fractured party today that is at war with itself. A war that threatens the very survival of the party. itself.
These fractures started a few decades ago. The public airways became flooded with far right wing figures placing all Democrats in the same boat( a fantasy boat that has never existed due to the very nature of Democrats). They spat out the words "liberal' and "progressive" as the nastiest words in the dictionary. They have since moved onto ridiculous words like Communists, Marxists, Socialists and dictators.
Absolutely nothing stops the infighting among family members, competing schools, local communities or even the notoriously independent members of the Democratic party than a direct frontal attack. That was (and is) a very bad mistake by the Republican leadership and their talking heads.
We must never forget this even as the GOP seems to be imploding. We must also forever remind ourselves that we are all patriotic Americans first and party loyalty is a distant third or fourth place in our lives.
We often feel the need to condemn the deeds and words of the Republican leadership and their talking heads. We sometimes mistakenly condemn all Republicans in our anger. That's wrong and misplaced. There are many patriotic and conservative Republicans struggling with the recent actions of their own leadership. Like it or not, these patriots are a crucial component of an efficient and balanced government. We can't do it alone. We need them as badly as they need us.
Everyone is saying that Hagel will be confirmed. So why are these guys wasting all of there time fighting over this? They need to spend this time working on resolving the big problem that is staring them and the country in the face right now: SEQUESTER! It does not sound like anyone there is being a 'patriotic American'.
Independant thinkerer
Not too "independent" and not much "thinking" going on here. In the history of this country the filibuster has been used infrequently and was the exception instead of the rule... not now. It is estimated to be invoked more than 100 times a year, basically making a 60 vote majority required for ANYTHING to be passed in the Senate.
And in THIS case, the filibuster is being used as a personal vendetta against Hagel's past opposition... because he opposed Bush (he was right), he opposed the Iraq war (he was right), and he opposed the surge (and the discussion is still open on whether the surge was the best policy to use at the time). McCain now uses the filibuster for personal vendettas... nice.
I wouldn't call our concern over pure obstructionism as "making it up as we go along"... but I WOULD call your claim that it is asinine.
Since when does allowing an unqualified hack to serve as Secretary of Defense constitute "serving the nation?" I'd rather have no Sec of Def than somebody who is unqualified to be Sec of Def.
I find it humorous that the Democrats complain when the Republicans use the same tactics that the Democrats have used in several cases in the past. I guess it's;
"Do as I say, not as I do".
Pippo Schillaci "I have three half Jewish sons and many best friends, and I happen to think that Jews on a per capita basis have the highest IQs."
The average IQ in Israel is only 94, compared with 100 in the US.
IQ results among sub-groups of Jews, however, are mixed, with Ashkenazi Jews having markedly higher IQs while Jews of Arab ancestry have lower IQs.
According to numerous studies relating ethnicity and average IQ in the US and elsewhere (confirmed with SAT test results), the following generally holds true;
African American IQ = 85
Latino IQ = 89
White IQ = 103
Asian IQ = 106
Of course, within any demographic group there is a wide variation - for example, a significant percentage of African Americans may perform above the averages for Whites and Asians, and a significant percentage of Asians may perform below the averages of African Americans.
Some of the possible 'reasons' for the differences are postulated at the following link;
http://www.sq.4mg.com/IQdifferences.htm
Of course, such discussions are typically avoided in this PC world over fears of being labeled a 'racist', and in reality the level of IQ to function successfully in this country has a very wide range. The above differences in IQ helps explain why Asians tend to do quite well in admissions to our top universities.
And please, no 'racist' rants - My wife is Black and my 5 children are of 'mixed heritage'.
Get rid of the filibuster Mr. Reid, go back to a simple majority vote.
The people who are filibustering Hagel, are the people who are supposedly concerned about the inadequate response to Benghazi but are actually trying to use it for political positioning, are the people who are leaving America without a Secretary of Defense during a time of war, are the people who are only concerned about themselves and their petty little dreams when they are supposed to be the leaders of this great country, are the people who will be left behind. Good Riddance.
rapidrush....respectfully Benghazi has no bearing other than playing politics the republican party priority. I want to know who proposed and voted on the cuts to the state dept. budget rendering a deficit in security. They are responsible for the terrible loss all the while their own rump was protected and pampered. Not politically interesting by any estimation. Hope judicial system serves real justice regarding all the surgical gerrymandering.
The Senate should enact true filibuster reform.
Bet you $10,000.00 Dollars if Romney was President Hagel would be no problem !!!
The problem in this Country is the GOP-TP and that is coming to an end 2014-2016 !!!
Delaying Hagel's nomination along with allowing the Sequester to move forward will cement Republicans as being the enemies of US national defense. Oh, and the filibuster isn't in the Constitution. Where is it that a minority in the Senate can stop the majority. Or is this different than all the bluster and lies about Obama doing thing that are against the Constitution?
Don't you just love it when the dems play by a set of rules and rejoice in how well they were able to use the rules to their advantage but when the rules are used in the same manner against them they P!$$ down both legs and then cry unfair. They even want to change the rules because they are getting their @$$e$ handed to them.
How assinine. The ambasssadors and judges had never had a cloture vote against them until they did. First time for everything.
The rules keep changing because the Senate sets their own rules. Used to be you had to physically hold the floor to filibuster. Nowadays you can just declare that you're filibustering.
However most senators of both parties have wanted to appear strong on national defense. That's the reason this has never happened before. It is important to note why it has never happened before.
And both parties should remember that they won't be majorities forever. In 2005 Karl Rove envisioned a permanent majority. So the GOP pushed to change the rules for federal judges to prevent the democrats from filibustering Bush's nominees. A year later they would have severely regretted it.
Shameless obstruction. Senate REPUBLICANS filibustered Hagel, a REPUBLICAN nominated by President Obama just to obstruct the choice and harp a little longer on Bengazi.
Pathetic.
Why won't the White House (OBAMA) allow the Congress to read the FBI interviews on Benghzi? What happened to the most transparent administration in history?
Just another broken campaign promise.
To the GOP, there is no such a thing as evolution. At least both Iraq and Afghanistan are still in stone age because of bombings from Bush's wars. And Bush - the compassionate conservative - has thus helped the GOP to prove their case (that there is no evolution: from 2001-2008, a monkey was still in charge; and both Iraq+Afghanistan are still in the stone age).
You Bushies are amazing! Still blame Bush when Obama has had the key to the kingdom for over 4 years. Did your guy O vote for the war(s)?
Republicans gave us the debt clock just to filibuster their mess - McCain and Graham are choking on their Bagel !!!
of course one can end wars with a executive order....... we are out of Iraq and getting out of Afghanistan. Do you want a panicked withdrawal, increasing casualties, or an ordered withdrawal. If Obama did the former your side would be yelling IMPEACH
Bush blamed Clinton for 8 years, from how I got it figured Obama has 4 more years to go.
Bull@!$%# alert!!
Hey, are both wars over and the drug benefit paid for? You bet it is still Bush's fault. You people act like Bush handed Obama the keys to a paid off house, he didn't, it took Bush 8 years to make the mess, Obama has most of it fixed and up and running. Clinton left Bush a balanced budget and no war. You righty's are the most irresponsible people in the world.
John,
It is Clinton and Carters fault. Reagan pulled the economy out of the Carter disaster (effectively saving this country) and Gingrich led this country to prosperity during the scandal ridden Clinton years. Gngrich fostered the innovation as well as led the charge on reducing the overbloated government at that time.
I throw Lyndon Johnson into the mix as he is at fault too. Great Society crap and all that entitlement mentatlity.....stupid.
Bush W had to deal with Clintons failed security policies which resulted in the horrible Trade Center attacks. Notably, tow years after what one could aregue was the worst catastrophe ever to hit this country, Bush had the economy BOOMING with unemployment under at 5%. Look at Obamas's numbers. Face it, Obama is the problem.
Sorry dude....
Truth- as was just released under the freedom of information act Bush received on average 3 warnings a weeks on his daily intelligence briefing that Al Quada was determined to attack within the US. They made the ASSUMPTION that only a state power and not a terrorist group would have the ability.
Volker as Fed chair was appointed by Carter to break inflation. He raised the prime to over 12% killing the economy and causing the recession. That is how you kill inflation. What did Reagan do- he lowered tax and increased deficit spending. Truth- if you EVER opened up a economics textbook that by definition is KEYNESIAN economics.
As with most items your side lives inside a BUBBLE and it appears your ran out of oxygen and you are officially BRAIN dead
Actually, the problems with own Nation begin with the Republicans. The Facts prove so. Until the Republican clean themselves up, it could be decades before they take the White House again.
However, I can live with that!!!
94% of the national debt belongs to just 3 people, Reagan, Bush and Bush-Cheney
Obama needs to create some debt, in order to match these guys.
Obama has actually been pretty stingy about creating new debt.
http://reaganbushdebt.org/CalculationDetails.aspx
And did it detail that it would be the takeover of four airliners that would crash into both world trade towers, the pentagon, and a field (thwarted attempt at where ever they wanted to go) in Pennsylvania?
Kind of a big country to put on lock down on all fronts don't ya think? Could have been another truck full of sh!t (liberal talking points) and diesel fuel, or a floral delivery van, or a Honda Civic, or or or. Your liberal mindset on a broad brush threat being able to be dissected is total utopia. And it stinks.
Oh and Job1, still with that bipartisan website cite?
Untruth, I got to call Bovine excrement on you, I lived the Reagen lie. What Reagan created was a recession, tent cities and soup kitchens, the only people that prospered was the very rich, working people have declined every since with the exception of the Clinton years. The middle class has shrunk, poverty is up, and its all due to supply side economics, thats welfare for the rich azzhole. George W. ended the prosperity, with more of the same. You are a sorry dude.
Talk- did it outline the plan in detail- No. Did it refer to plans to use airliners-YES. Bush's security council came to the conclusion that only a STATE sponsored group would have the capibiity and Al Quada did not.
talk- reread your post and just want to highlite something. Truth was blaming 9/11 on Clinton's "failed securities policies which resulted in the world trade center...."
Now the Clinton administration EMPHASIZED that Al Quada and UBL were a major threat to the US security. This has been confirmed by numerous Clinton appointee's and Bush people. The Bush administration MADE a different ASSESSMENT on the threat level and they were WRONG . So your ending on the "... liberal mindset...." is just more RepubliCON(emphasis on the CON) propaganda
truth..............
stop your lies. one of the biggest scandals during Clinton was the gingrich scandal. he had to resign over it. if you don't know what the scandal was look it up. do some homework for a change before you spew your lies.
p.s. and gingrich did not resign because he was cheating on his wife while criticizing Clinton for doing such
"Still blame Bush when Obama has had the key to the kingdom for over 4 years"
Whenever I hear that “stop blaming Bush” line, I chuckle at the very short memory you Republicans have. From 1976 to 1992 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Carter of everything wrong in the entire universe. Some of yu even blamed him for the housing crash in 2007 even though he left office more than a quarter of a century earlier. Then from 1992 to 2008 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Clinton for everything that was wrong in the entire universe. You blamed Clinton for 9/11, for the housing crisis, even for the massive deficits of the Bush administration. So – using the standard you set – the left has another 29 years to blame Bush for everything just to pull even with you.
It sure is a good thing that "truth..." and "talk..." are not christians. We all know where the christian god sends liars.
Just in case the Bible is correct, the two of you may want to start spending your summers in Arizona to get acclimated. And, hey, "talk..." Give ol' Breitbart the finger for me when you see him down there. Maybe the two of you love birds can share the same fiery pit!
Laughable!
Both nations have been living in the fifteenth century since, well, the fifteenth century.
At least Bush got approval from Congress, unlike "kinetic military action" Obama.
In my almost 60 years I have NEVER seen a POTUS pass the buck like Obama. He will blame anyone and everyone for anything.
He's pathetic.
.
Afghanistan has been a @!$%# hole well before the Russian invaded it.
And as for the war they started with us on back in 09/11/2001, yes it has gone on way to long because the first rule on war is kick there ass second rule is not to get stuck trying to rebuild them.
I like when YOU PEOPLE like to say thing like we started a war with Afghanistan.
Unemployment under Bush was effectively zero as 5% unemployment is considerd full employment. What has Obama done? Geez.
Plus, this whole drone assassination thing is way worse than a little water in the face....and Bush got slammed for that! You libs are such hypocrites. Laughable and boggles the mind.
I know you think "the rich do not pay their fair share". The funny thing is, this was never an issue under Bush as everybody was effectively working. In essence, everybody was happy and was paying THEIR fair share.
This country needs jobs. Not more Obama/Reid/Pelois excuses. The biggest issue is Obamacare. The only thing we know for sure about that is that we don't know how much it will cost, how many people will be covered under it, or what will actually be required. What a joke....
Next question you Low Information, Non-Accountable Voters (LINAVS)
No "TRUTH" Everyone was closer to paying their fair share until the Bush Tax Cuts which went a long way towards bankrupting our country. Here is a thought? Cut taxes while paying for them with corresponding cuts to expenditures. Of course, the BUSH way was to have unfunded Military Interventions that we have to call wars..... You are the low information loser that you have pointed out!
Both have evolved greatly in the past 10 years, Women on both have more freedoms then ever, and Sadam and his group is no longer in charge, killing at will. In Iraq many look at Bush as a savior and friend, and are thankful for what he and the americans did. I was glad Obama continued the Bush programs there. It was one of the few things Obama did right.
As for the Bush tax cuts, the lower tax rates got the bigger cuts, the higher tax rates got the smaller cuts, so what is the problem? The problem is the country didn't do the second part of his plan and cut spending, instead they increased spending. So put the blame on the real reason, Spending by the congressional democrats starting in 06, and the republicans that went along with them. Obama ran on no tax increased for the poor, that lasted for about 2 days. Now everyone got a huge tax increase and the deficet continues to grow. The funds from the tax increase on the rich lasted only a week before they spent 10 years of those tax increases in one vote, for the Sandy/Pork bill.
300,
Well said. I believe that if we simply froze spending at its current levels for the next two years we would be well on our way out of this mess.
No way Obama or Reid go for that--unfrtunately
It should also be noted that the three biggest increases in spending prior to the 2008 fiscal crisis were two wars (with extra expensive nation building) and Medicare part D. All of these things occurred between 2001 and 2003 with conservative majorities in all branches of government. These items made the deficit deep and the debt a new record (for then), a really lousy financial foundation for a financial crisis.
Casting blame at the feet of one party is both inaccurate and unlikely to solve anything. We never should have given banks a dime of taxpayer money. They have no disincentive to make risky bets now. Big government will always be there to catch them when they lose at the casino.
Freezing spending will just keep the deficit at about the same level. The debt will just increase. Something has to change. Cutting spending is a great idea to most people... until you get into specifics. Raising revenue is known to be code for raising taxes, always unpopular. At some points we're going to have to be adults and solve the damn problem.
"Of all people, Reid knows how effective the threat of a filibuster can be: he was Senate minority whip in 2003 and 2004 when Democrats successfully blocked confirmation votes on ten Bush appeals court nominees, including Estrada.
That Democratic filibuster effort won applause from progressive groups. “For months, Senate Democrats have been heroically holding out against President Bush's nominations of extremist judges to America's most powerful courts,” Moveon.org told its supporter in 2003."
I am so glad its only been the Republicans doing this.(sarcasm fully intended)
remember the term "nuclear option" that was the response from the Republicans to filibuster use on Judicial appointments that had a long history. Filibusters used to stop all legislation that you are oppossed to was a NEW development and led to the Republicans having the dubious honor of the highest number of filibusters employed by any Congress.
Republicans threatened to end filibusters when they were in control but now its their favorrite play toy. Even McCann yesterday admitted the filibuster of Hagel was pure SPITE for Hagel criticising Bush Iraq policy
To obstruct is a good thing when the obstruction stops stupidity.
It's politics. What do you expect. Remember "deemed passed" given to us by Nanci Peloci with Obama Care. Politicians ALL lie and cheat and are masters of word manipulation. That's why most are lawyers.
xyz- would love to have a real discussion with someone who believes the deficit is the real problem. But can we have a fact based discussion or will you just repeat the same republican talking points that have been refuted- such as all tax cuts grow the economy so govt revenues always increase when tax's are lowered, etc.....
broker = someone who makes you broke?
Tactics come with a price. Republicans don't like it when Democrats fight back. Well, guess what, wait for your next Republican President.
Pigotry
I see your sense of humor has equalled your education level.LMAO
well, broker1 (#3.7)
we all know who caused this recession...mortgage brokers - not all of them - for sure. Most of mortgage brokers are good people hard working to make it. Some brokers and some bankers might have made others broke - thus the recession.
Stop picking on Pigotry she can't help it got no brain
Stop picking on everybody who have brains
#3.9: fish have brains? I have never come cross a fish brain when I eat fish, never.
First time for a defense secretary nominee? First time for everything.
The problem with this filibuster is that we are talking about our defense, we need someone in place now, Hagel has all the qualifications and more, this is all about how Hagel betrayed the Republican party, bashing Bush and the Iraq war and how he totally disagreed with Bush. Hagel saw something that he did not like about going to war in Iraq, and he was right, a war we should of never been in, 100,000's killed for what, so Cheney and his big business buddies could make a fortune.
There is a new book coming out "Hubris" read, watch the special on MSNBC its all about the Iraq and how the Bush administration fooled everyone about the weapons of mass destruction. Their is testimony from Bush's own people, we may finally get the truth, but I'm sure you righties and Faux will have plenty to say even though when the truth faces you straight on you still will not believe, so sad.
Fish have brains in thier heads, just like liberials, but the differance is when caught in a fishing net they try to escape, liberials are content when they are caught in the Liberial thinking net that want to destroy the constitution.
The answer is to get a good person in the defence position, just not put any body in there. It would be tragic to put the wrong person in there.
300Michael, I agree with your last sentence. Only have to think back to those "Rummy" years. I might agree with your first paragraph if only i could identify that "liberial" fish. The only fish that ever hurt my constitution was spoiled fish. I learned to keep my catch on ice after that. You might want to try that the next time you land one of those liberial fish.
300michael
Remember when Norquist said that for president you only need someone that can sign the bills. He was talking about Romney. But to your point, yes it would be tragic to put the wrong person in there. I guess that is why Romney lost (47% to Obama's 51%).
Perhaps if Hagel had answered the questions asked of him, if if the "most transparent Administration" had been forthcoming about Bengazi, Fast & Furious, etc. we wouldn't be seeing so many of these political games!
Perhaps ... but no. The GOP teabeggers are in full obstruction / destruction mode. They would stop the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God if they thought they could score some political points. Dirtbags.
agree his performance left much to be desired but apparently told by the administration to not push back and help create new fights.
Hagel is qualified
dem
What makes him qualified in your opinion.
Hagel was on the foreign affairs committee and while active had a good reputation for understanding complex issues.
Your complaint on him is his use of the term Jewish lobby instead of using aipac and what else?
Hagel has nothing to do with Benghazi or Fast and Furious does he?
Why filibuster him. It's like changing the tire on your car when the transmission is broken.
You are right they are political games.
Fast and Furious started with Operation Wide Receiver in the Bush administration. Bush lost 64 embassy personnel during his administration, and yet not a peep from Republicans then.
Dem
Sorry thats not my objection.My problem with him is the statement "we have a policy of containment towards Iran." Then when he tried to correct it got it wrong again.Only when Levin straightened him out did he finally straighten it out. Now I understand mistakes but where in the hell could he come up with a "policy of containment."
McCan on Fox yesterday stated the Hagel filibuster is payback for when Hagel criticized Republican President Bush on his Iraq policy. Dont play with the team........
So for personal pique we have no dod for the next 10 days
we currently have a policy of containment on Iran- we are having proxy wars with Iran and have had them for a number of decades now.
dont you remember us providing chemical, biological, and intelligence information to Sadamm when he was fighting Iran in the early 80's. That was where Iraq received their arsernal from...... blowback etc
If Hagel were to give them the information they are asking for (assuming it even exists) they would just come up with something else. There is no information he could give them that would satisfy them. It's clearly not about Hagel.
Well who is wrong then?Levin told him that the US did NOT have any containment policy with Iran. I have read no such policy.
On or near Tax Day (April 15th), as reported by Politico, we will see the House make a Motion to Dismiss the Contempt of Congress charges against Eric Holder related to his refusal to comply with Congressional request for additional documentation related to Fast and Furious hearings.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2013/01/house-holder-may-near-deal-on-fast-and-furious-contempt-155525.html?hp=l1
Broker- we have a policy of containment on Iran now and have had for decades.We are having proxy wars with them- what do you think is happening in Syria today? We have been attempting to lessen Iranian influence and power in the Middle East since the 1979 revolution.
No they wanted to make CLEAR then on nuclear weapons we will not use the containment strategy but have threatened war. That is what they wanted to make CLEAR- the pro israel lobby want no backing down from war with Iran if they get nucluer weapons.Israel has nuclear weapons and everyone knows it but that is ok, except maybe if your Iranian
McCain and Graham are delaying confirming Hagel because Graham is running for re-election and the tea party racist hillbillies are going to challenge Graham in his primary, for not fighting Obama enough.
So, Graham has to look tough against giving the First Black President what he wants in order to run the National Defense of our Nation. Remember, Graham is from South Carolina and many in the tea party can’t get over the fact that the majority of the American People love President Obama and they feel that their Civil War relatives are rolling over in their grave.
Sad but true!!!
job1- correct analysis- sad but true
"McCan on Fox yesterday stated the Hagel filibuster is payback for when Hagel criticized Republican President Bush on his Iraq policy."
McCain proved yesterday with what he said on Fox that it’s NOT about Benghazi , it’s NOT about Israel, it’s NOT about Iran, it’s NOT about qualification. It’s about political correctness. In John McNasty’s mind, Hegle isn’t Republican enough.
ted cruzzz is an A-- H---!!! He will be a one term tea bagger!!!
Namecalling. High school. Remedial class.
Up yours!!! I hope Hagel, after he gets the job. Cuts all the pork in the states of cruzzz mccainnn,grahammm.PAYBACK!! Yes I live in cruzz state! The state will be blue when the latinos from California move here!!
Our government is not working but I do agree Hagel gave an awful impression at his hearings. If anyone answered questions on a job interview like he did I don't think they would get the job!!
It was not a "job interview", it was pure political theater. Furthermore, Hagel will work for the Executive Branch, not the Legislative Branch. The Senate has the power to "advise & consent" ... or just to gum up the works with a filibuster.
Ask Senator MCcain NOW ! Yes or NO !
By Picking Sarah Palin to the No 2 position of the Country Highest office in Land actually does endanger the Country,especially with his golden age on, if he's successfull,for goodness sakes ,its NOT!.
Do Ask Mc Cain now or better still the McMonkey
YES OR NO now !!!!
No mumbling period.
It most definately was a job interview. Follow Joseph to remedial class.
Saying "McCain remains an enigma", as quoted from one article, is a polite understatement that fails to fully describe his antics. He faults Hagel for criticizing Bush but he fails to acknowledge how despicable he thought Bush was in 2000 and how he, McCain, accused him, Bush, of dirty politics and failing to be an ethical person ... no less than what Hagel said who also was a Republican at the time. Things like that and McCain's constantly saying one thing, doing another and never being satisfied with what Obama / Democrats do, even when they literally give him what he asks for, clearly identifies the inconsistency. That currently typical Republican behavior fails to provide the people with any confidence that they, the Republicans, are representing the people and not just the Republicans' self-serving political interests.
If McCain had not been a POW he would never have become a senator .. He uses his POW status as though he was the only POW ..being a POW does not make you smart.. McCain had a c average in HS..if McCains dad had not been an admiral he would have never gotten into Annapolis .. he may not have even gotten into the navy.. McCain is a stupid petty man who thru his own error became a POW
I have had it. After 32 years as a card holden Republican I have decided that they are no longer in touch with anyone other than each others pocket books. Republican party is willing to hurt the country just to try to gain some politcal ground. I dont care what anyone says I am over it and the only way we (the People) are going to win is by voting in term limitations. If congress wont agreee with that then vote them out! NOW!!!
Yawn. Both sides either are doing or have done this. This article even spoke about the "effectiveness" of Harry Reid's filibusters against GWB appointments and the left's slobbering approval back then. If Hagel were eminently qualified and hadn't sucked in his appearance before congress AND if the current administration had been more transparent about the events surrounding the death of our ambassador, they would be in better political shape now. They ultimately have no one to blame but themselves.
Every Republican ought to be killed and thrown away. Let's bring out the trash and save our country.
Kill those bastards, kill them good.
Hey Mark why don't you start with me? Come get you some, smart as-!
Smithee: I hope the FBI took notice of your post. If you tried that on me, I have self-defense on my side, and I am an expert marksman with my model 1911. You won't like the odds. Go back to your parents' basement or whatever other relative you're leeching off right now and try growing up a bit.
And I hope you'll get murdered with one of the guns you and your kind are trying so hard to keep on the streets.
Mark - Mark - Mark - mark - mark...
Mark - Let's bring out the trash? Freudian.
Mark, why bring out the trash, when you can "Bring out the Hellman's, and Bring out the Best!"
Wonderful! Hagel shouldn't be the next defense secretary.
Presidents should get to pick whoever they want in their cabinets. Obama won the election, Republicans need to cooperate on the deficit instead of playing these games.
Yeah Eric... You didn't seem to believe that when your democrats were blocking nominations of the Republican presidents.
"Presidents should get to pick whoever they want in their cabinets." The Constitution says otherwise.
Republicans are famous for saying they know what is in the constitution, only to have it completely backwards.
Hmmmmmm i did not think most Republicans believed in evolution? That must be why they do not favor stem cell technology, they are afraid it will ruin the angry white male dominance! Well, even with their non support of stem cell technology, the angry white male power is diminishing!
They are adding nails to the Republican coffin and on the road to extinction every day! Onward!!
Why in the world does it take a 60 vote outcome to vote on something that will require only a 51 vote outcome to pass? Who made these rules, 5th graders? Oops, I didn't mean to insult 5th graders by comparing their intelligence to congressmen/congresswomen. What good is having a majority party if you can't pass anything with a majority? What a joke this democracy has become.
You lefties didn't seem to mind all these filibusters back in the day when you were using them against Bush and his nominees. Or Reagan and his nominees. Settle down and put your head back in the sand. Obama told you everything is OK, go back to swallowing everything he says as gospel.
Provide some detail there knipper... Maybe the comparative volume of blocks and/or filibusters along party lines in the administrations you reference? Along the way, you'll find that being intentionally vague while trying to frame what you're stating as common truth is the work of fools, as it has no basis in relevant fact.
Or... Simmer down now and Just go back to servicing your master how they like.
Reagan nominees blocked by Dems = ?
Bush nominees blocked by Dems = ?
Obama nominees blocked by Reps = ?
... And the same with filibuster counts during the respective administrations... If you have the ability to be honest with yourself. I think you'll find the disparities can only be explained by your groups insidious and embarrassing disease... The same one that's causing the body to rot and your limbs to fall away.
America is done with you now. The republican party is a rotting corpse being violated in more horrible ways with each passing day.
“You lefties didn't seem to mind all these filibusters back in the day when you were using them against Bush and his nominees.”
The Republicans in the Senate have used the filibuster more times in the last 4 years than was used in from 1791 to 2008. Republicans have even filibustered bills they sponsored. Just a few weeks ago, McConnelll offered a motion, Harry Ried agreed with it, so McConnell immediately filibustered it.
SOS-DD
How's that deal with McConnell on filibusters working out for ya Harry?
As a pharmacy technician, if I had the professional ethics that the members of congress are displaying, I would not only compromise patient safety and care, but I would also be out of a job. It's pathetic this latest behavior. I didn't care for every pharmacist I have worked with. I've even gone toe to toe when I felt the patient's safety was compromised. In my profession, it's patients first. They need to realize, it's country first. But this? Pitiful. If you're going to filibuster, at least have the balls to show your face and explain to the American people why. If GW got his feelings hurt by what Hagel said seven years ago, that's his beef. He doesn't need his honor defended.
He doesn't need his honor defended. Of course not. Everyome knows, W. Bush was the greatest President since Jesus Christ!
On December 6, 2012, another milestone in filibuster history was reached when Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader, became the first senator to filibuster his own proposal.
The GOP has lost it's marbles!
It wasn't the first time... In his Autobiographical masterpiece entitled "Perpetually Irrelevent" there's a short passage about his getting caught by his Mother "filibustering his own proposal" in a blanket fort at the old homestead in the holler... That's where he first picked up the nick-name "Jerkin' 'Merkin'...
Chick - Bigoted statement. Just like ruling against your own rules. Irony.
The Republicans in the HOR are up to their same old crap!
They don't like Hagel because Obama nominated him and they are going to fart around and cause this country to go back into a recession just because they don't want to make Obama look like he is succeeding at anything!!!
So, in a few months when you people start losing your jobs don't blame Obama, look at the work that the Republicans are not doing in congress!!!
The problem isn't that Obama nominated this goof. The problem is that this goof is more unqualified for the job than Hillary was. Secondly, The economy going down hill has NOTHING to do with the republicans blocking Hagel's confirmation. The economy going down hill has to do with Obama's complete and utter lack of how the economy WORKS. OF COURSE, the left doesn't think it is Obama's fault.
david: Exactly why is Hagle unqualified. During 2008 presidential primary McCain said he would nominate Hagle for SOD.
McCain admitted he will vote for Hagle.....Repubs just want to act like pouting babies for awhile.
So you blame President Obama for economy going down??? Likewise you must give him credit for stock market doubling since he took office, housing market coming back, gaining jobs instead of loosing 700,000 a month....right?
Why doesn't Obama pick somebody that is competent ?
larry: Tell me why Hagle is not competent. During the 2008 presidential campaign, McCain said he would nominate Hagle.
McCain is now admitting he will end up voting for Hagle....he and rest of Repubs are just mad they lost 2008 and 2012 election so are acting like pouting babies...as usual.
GOP is their own worst enemy.
Larry - Competence in politics has become secondary to power and manipulation. Obama wants power and Hagel can be manipulated. It's proven to work for both parties quite effectively, too often at the expense of the People.
Isn't this usually the Democrats' game....remember in 2004 when they blocked confirmation of EVERY appointment Bush made to the courts???
Hope- it was not every appointment but about ten. The use of filibusters has been used for decades on judicial appointments. I also remember many of these appointments were to aggressive political operatives running investigations of alleged voter fraud- ps just for the record please google how many trials resulted from these appointments. Hint- about the same number of countries that have successfully employed supply side Hayek austerity first programs nin the world.
"remember in 2004 when they blocked confirmation of EVERY appointment Bush made to the courts???
No -- I don't remember that. If the blocked EVERY appointment Bush made to the court, how did John Roberts and Sam Alito get on the court??
charlie- dems were threatening the filibuster that is when the repugs rolled out the nuclear option- doing away with the filibuster. They reached a compromise and I believe half or three quarters of the judicial appointee's were cleared. The bitch was these were highly partisan republican operatives being assigned voter fraud investigations. You know Acorn et al. Please google how many prosecutions were processed after the Bush administrations strong investigation into voter fraud-NONE
Oh -- so Bush got his judges approved because -----
But Republicans today REFUSE to compromise. They even filibuster bills they sponsor.
Charlie
Didn't you read '2004'? Sam Alito was nominated in 2006. John Roberts was nominated in 2005. Those nominations did take place in 2004. IDIOT!
GOP party never wants GOPers work for Democrat. GOP party leaders are selfish - they care for their party first and the American last. Any GOPer crosses the party line is a traitor.
Yesterday McCain cried to Fox News that Hagel has said mean things about George W Bush and people don’t forget that:
If you don't love the Iraq War and think it was the greatest thing ever and that the surge was wonderful you are not going to be someone that McCain thinks should ever be approved of. Hagel was a great senator who was not a rubberstamper. He was someone who thought for himself and that is a man to be admired and a man to be honored. Any republican is not ever going to be considered as worthy as Chuck Hagel for his worthiness. He joined with his brother and was heroic in the Viet Nam War as an enlisted man. They don't want an enlisted man as the Secretary of the Defense, but he will be and he deservedsto be in that post.
McCain admitted that Hagel is likely to be confirmed after recess, which sounded exactly like it reads: After Republicans get over their preschool recess pout, they will concede that — SIGH — having someone running the Pentagon is probably a decent idea. However, they will have achieved their goal of undermining Hagel and Obama in the eyes of the world, since Hagel will miss a defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels next week. Republicans must be pleased to force America’s defense secretary out of the NATO conference. This is coming from the party that made security at Benghazi an issue. They’d better hope nothing happens unitl they come back from recess.
Dragon - So the NATO meeting will be missed. And family members of the people killed in Benghazi will be missed. Difference is, we'll know the facts about the meeting.
Aw, I am so hurt. Hagel said that W boondoggled the Iraq war. That is awful. How dare he say such things. He should produce his tax returns, just like you wanted from Romney. How dare he think that armed service makes him a patriotic American, and qualified. How dare he question W, or any Republikin.
Obama should nominate Valerie Plame instead.
When is a filibuster not a filibuster? When a Republican Senator says it is not? Perhaps we should have a vote defining "filibuster": or would that be "filibustered" too?
filibuster - a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes
That's not the way it works anymore. A senator only has to say he wants to filibuster a nomination and it goes into effect. No more "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" b.s. any longer. No speeches. No long, drawn out procedure. The politicians need their off time. Like taking off all next week while critical issues hang in the balance. Bunch of great guys and gals.
GOoPers do not care about our country. GOoPers only care about their GOoPer agenda. Vote 'em all out!
Conservatives are inferior stereotypes. They live to hate everything that makes America nice. They eat children and kill puppies and push Grandmother's down stairs and are all racists and bigots and haters of 'queers' - or so says their 'competition' - those dear angels of salvation. Those are the good ones, all wrapped up in white, who would solve every problem with drones in the night. They'd make poor less poor because rich cannot do, they'd make everyone well if they can just pay the dues. There'd be no wars because no one would fight, and they'd put an end to all fear by locking bullets up tight. What a wonderful world to control everyday! And freedom exists - if it's just done their way.