Cornyn blocks Hillary
posted at 2:39 pm on January 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
So much for the honeymoon. Citing unanswered ethical concerns, John Cornyn blocked a vote to confirm Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. At most, it will delay her confirmation for 24 hours, but the new head of the NRSC wants to draw attention to pay-for-play allegations:
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s smooth ride to confirmation as secretary of state hit a small bump on Tuesday as one of her Republican colleagues blocked a vote on Mrs. Clinton’s nomination, citing ethical questions arising from donors to her husband’s charitable foundation.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas objected to including Mrs. Clinton’s name in a unanimous consent vote for several Cabinet nominees, scheduled for hours after the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, plans to hold a roll-call vote on Mrs. Clinton’s nomination on Wednesday, which she is expected to win easily. …
Mrs. Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, signed an agreement with the Obama transition team, putting some limits on foreign donations to his foundation, as well as stipulating annual disclosure of new donors.
But Senator Cornyn, in a letter to Mrs. Clinton last Friday, said he remained worried that her diplomatic activities would be compromised “unless tighter foreign fund-raising restrictions and transparency protocols are adopted.”
The Republicans won’t get to offer much advice and consent over the next two years on administration appointments, so the GOP has to pick its moments carefully. Is Hillary worth fighting over? If she somehow didn’t get confirmed, which would only occur if she withdrew, does anyone believe that Barack Obama would appoint someone less objectionable? I’d worry that Hillary would give way to Samantha Power or Robert Malley, or perhaps more likely, John Kerry.
Which Cabinet appointment should get the most opposition? I’d suggest Eric Holder at Justice.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Uh oh white, you aren’t doing what is right.
rbj on January 20, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Texas Republicans. Gotta Love ‘em.
The Obama Magic Circus Euphoria hasn’t converted all rational thought.
Good job Cornyn.
portlandon on January 20, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Looks like Hillary let Cornyn know how angry she is.
IrishEi on January 20, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Good suggestion. I have another. Geithner!:
My kingdom for an opposition party!
Rae on January 20, 2009 at 2:42 PM
At this point, any opposition whatsoever would be fine with me.
CurtZHP on January 20, 2009 at 2:43 PM
I’m more concerned about Geithner and Holder.
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Wow a republican with balls. We better put him in a zoo, cause they are a dieing breed.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Sure, Billary’s activities aren’t the biggest scandal on the menu – but they are scandalous – and Cornyn calling them out on it is OK with me.
innominatus on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Gosh, this is funny. Where to start without being booted from HA?!
Cody1991 on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
haha that’s my gal!
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
A Repub with onions? Love it.
ex-Democrat on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Great minds…
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Both Holder and Geithner. Geithner’s acceptance of reimbursement for taxes he “forgot” to pay in an “innocent mistake” should disqualify him on ethics grounds, alone, not to mention his failure to warn of the coming Wall St. crackup when he was NY Fed chairman.
As for Hillary, this is just a warning shot. No need to go to the mat over her.
irishspy on January 20, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Good job, Cornyn. Even though she’ll probably get in without a problem, someone has to bring more attention to pay-for-play.
crazy_legs on January 20, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Knucklehead.
Fat lot of good it did her!
IrishEi on January 20, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Don’t worry. Mel Martinez(RINO-FL) has our back on Holder.
Not.
ex-Democrat on January 20, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Yes, lets pick our fights selectively. Let’s not upset anyone, Ed. Let’s not lead with principles. Let’s not start getting bogged down with those.
Let’s just go with the flow, we may still be able to get another farm bill or something out of this if we just don’t talk too loud and make anyone not like us.
revolution on January 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
For Secretary of State?! Not a friggin’ chance. Yeah, he might name John Effing Kerry, and that would be bad enough, but Hillary’s ethical and legal conduct are easily appalling enough to warrant voting against her, and every Republican should.
Holder is not qualified to hold appointed office. He’s a scumbag, and should also be rejected. Obama is President, not Emperor.
Jaibones on January 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Hillary is an international crook – and putting her as SOS is objectionable.
And YES – I’d prefer someone incompetent such as Kerry than a competent and dangerous Clinton.
Aristotle on January 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Block them all save Gates
Rogue on January 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Thank Goodness some Republican found his tongue and backbone and said something! Now, Cornyn, don’t back down!!
Herb on January 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Uh oh is correct! Shame on this honkey not embracing the donkey! This cracker needs to get a little blacker!
Sorry, I had to put in my own little satire there.
leetpriest on January 20, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Biden can take over as SOS, after all Big O offered it to him first according to Dr. B. Oops, maybe Billary ain’t so bad.
Herb on January 20, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Uh, oh….bye bye, Cornyn.
jay12 on January 20, 2009 at 2:49 PM
The most ethical Administration evah…yeah, right.
I think at every turn, Republicans have to do things like this to point out the hypocrisy that is the Democrat Party.
kirkill on January 20, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Who is this Cornyn?
And what party does he belong to?
artist on January 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM
May TRUTH be exposed and may justice be done!
Christian Conservative on January 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I’m brown, can I stick around ?
redrock on January 20, 2009 at 2:52 PM
If I was picking one, I’d pick Geithner. He broke the law, and will be responsible for enforcing that same area of law.
Further, he was in direct contact with the investment and banking companies whose excessive risk and greed set the stage for our current problem. When the ship starts taking on water during your shift, you don’t say “well, he knows more about the problem”. You say “find someone else who can stop the water!”
hawksruleva on January 20, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I knew there was a reason I voted for Cornyn.
Rip Ford on January 20, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Good for you Cornyn, my TX senator . You might think about a food taster, hc can be a nasty critter.
L
letget on January 20, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Makes me proud to have voted for the guy twice. Also glad that he pissed off McVain enough to elicit a “F–k you!” from him.
thirteen28 on January 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Now the opening ceremony has come to a close, let the games begin!
Nice move, Cronyn.
sherry on January 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Pick our fights carefully??? How about applauding a GOP Senator that is finally fighting for once! Reserving our energy usually means capitulating and allowing the left to roll over us. But these small fights, even if not won, help to unite our our team and get us sharper for the bigger battles.
Thank you Senator Cornyn. The donations to the Clinton Global Fund are a huge conflict of interest and your delay of the vote on Clinton has brought needed attention to it.
thankful on January 20, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Cornyn must have picked up a copy of Pelosi’s “Minority Bill of Rights©.”
She probably fired a staffer for failing to burn all of them.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Can I move to Texas now? (sincere question from a soon to be subject of Senator Franken)
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:00 PM
haha that’s my gal!
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
First Sarah, now Hil. Get yourself under control, woman.
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Holder worked to pardon a fugitive felon and FALN terrorists. That should get the most scrutiny.
rbj on January 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM
John Cornyn – 2012 !!!!
Jeb Hensarling for VP
Go Texas!!!
izoneguy on January 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM
rplat on January 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
at least we have one senator with balls (no, I’m NOT talking about Hillary)
notagool on January 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Cornyn is a moron, an irrelevant senator in an irrelevant party
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
The real ethical question for Hill is one Washington refuses to touch… ie…
Just how much money of Hers and Bill’s, which she used to fund her run for the Presidency, was from foreigners via Bill’s “speeches”?
Everyone knew she was gong to run… how can not overpaying Bill for a Speech NOT be considered a contribution to her campaign, when she can use her AND Bill’s money for that campaign?
Romeo13 on January 20, 2009 at 3:03 PM
John Cornyn is a great senator, Texas is a great state and I’m honored to be a Texan and live here.
(Sorry for the double post . . . I messed up badly on the first one)
rplat on January 20, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Spoken like a true liberal jackass.
rplat on January 20, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Cornyn is a moron, an irrelevant senator in an irrelevant party
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Aren’t you supposed to be working right now? Come on, suicide bomb-vests don’t make themselves, you know!
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:06 PM
“Can I move to Texas now? (sincere question from a soon to be subject of Senator Franken)”
As long as you swear the REDSTATE oath of allegiance.
If you ever vote for a democrat your eyes will be plucked out
and your index fingers will be chopped off.
izoneguy on January 20, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:06 PM
She can’t answer. She stopped concentrating on Sarah and is now concentrating on Hillary…
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 3:08 PM
please don’t put those women in the same sentence
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Lucky for him the Shillary can’t put a Vince Foster move on him.
TrickyDick on January 20, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Look at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98388035.
Texas may be in play for the Democrats/moderate Republicans in 2010. (A more moderate Republican was also just elected House speaker in Texas).
jim m on January 20, 2009 at 3:13 PM
please don’t put those women in the same sentence
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Taking a break from the bombs, huh? RDX fumes can be nasty if you don’t properly ventilate the room.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:15 PM
The republicans have learned nothing from their disasterous election defeats. This is an example of partisan ugliness that caused them to be humiliated in this past election. This behavior has to stop if our country is going to fix the economy and win the war on terror. We need a secretary of state and it’s going to be Hillary. Can anyone explain what purpose this serves except to anger the people who want a functioning state dept.
It was best said by noneya
Those republicans who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. Cornyn will learn that lesson next election cycle.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Oh man i can see this now..
What do you mean you Blocked hillary
You stinking white racists.
Just because
The clintons have more scandles than sadamm hussein
they have given pardons in exchange for a 1 million dollar donation to his library
There are tons of dead people all around the clintons
Dont you know we just hired that tax cheat to run the IRS
Get with the program and stop looking at the laws being broken.
Dont you know that ONLY president bush and vice president cheney are Guilty of WAR CRIMES!!!
How dare you oppose the messias will.
Now stop it and confirm her immidiatly
jcila on January 20, 2009 at 3:16 PM
She can’t answer. She stopped concentrating on Sarah and is now concentrating on Hillary…
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Ahh, the reason restraining orders were invented.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:16 PM
WOW!! Noneya said irrelevant twice in one post! The whole Hope & Change is kicking up the hormones today, its got all that estrogen flowing.
Now if you had said Texas was irrelevant…..you might just have a problem. Texans don’t take kindly to disrespecting the Great state of Texas too well.
portlandon on January 20, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Better late……..
………….. than never.
Seven Percent Solution on January 20, 2009 at 3:17 PM
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:15 PM
It’s ok dude, we understand that when Pelosi said “Most ethical Congress ever”, she didn’t mean democrats; it would have practically wiped out the DFL.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:19 PM
uhh ok, you are right, i am a jihadi. what bus will you be on today again?
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:20 PM
When Ms Pelosi said that she lied. She is the biggest crook in the bunch. The leader of the pack. She’s gonna give Obama fits. Only Hillary can stand up to her. You wait and see.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Yeah, the Democrats in Congress really took the high road from 2000-2006. How did that work out for them? Pretty well, huh?
And there’s no way John Cornyn loses if he actually stands for something. Here in Texas, people actually appreciate that. Except for the idiots in Austin.
prolix on January 20, 2009 at 3:25 PM
And what are you ? Besides ill informed.
saiga on January 20, 2009 at 3:26 PM
There will eventually be another Texan in the White House named Big John Cornyn!!
Texas Gal on January 20, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Bloody right too.
LimeyGeek on January 20, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Lets see Cornyn must like unemployment. He’s going to be unemployed soon. Hillary will talk to Mexico about making it so.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Cornyn has more onions than of the RNC combined. Thank God for guys like him. We need more republicans to step up to the plate like him. I hope the same thing occurs with the detestable Holder.
jencab on January 20, 2009 at 3:28 PM
saiga on January 20, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Haven’t you been following? She’s a gay, atheist jihadi.
Which seems to me to be a contradiction in terms.
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Bless your heart.
Does stupidity run in your family?
Texas Gal on January 20, 2009 at 3:28 PM
You seem like a very unhappy person.
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2009 at 3:30 PM
When Ms Pelosi said that she lied. She is the biggest crook in the bunch. The leader of the pack. She’s gonna give Obama fits. Only Hillary can stand up to her. You wait and see.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:25 PM
I’ve seen more than enough, but apparently leftonians don’t care.
Paging Congressman Rangel, paging Congressman Rangel…
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Here folks, we see a sample of a RINO. See the soft underbelly & yellow stripe. It smells of weakness and panders to those in power to survive. It has no principles and is blind to conflicts of interest that Hillary Clinton has as Secretary of State.
The Rino or “Maverick” as we call it, repeats phrases fed to it by its keepers.
portlandon on January 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Ed, Ed, Ed, you’re sounding more and more as if you got a whiff of that Hopey-changey Gas.
This is no time for all the sanctimonious “let’s all get along and be civil” crap. We have a President who will, if somehow not held in check, wreak untold damage to the nation.
The Democrats let Bush know he was going to be slammed for every mistake, real or imagined. Let’s let Osama Obama know that any shenanigans, any crooked lefty loons, will be met with whatever opposition we can muster.
We may be out of power, but we can make one hell of a fuss. At least that might make him pull back a little. I’m thinking some of his supporters are a bit on the shaky side, since he’s been in office for three hours now, and the checks haven’t hit their mailboxes yet.
MrScribbler on January 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM
yes, he can clean out the urinals once he loses re-election next time around…
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Ha Ha so thats what Cornyn is doing? It’s okay because “they” did it too. I think he is an immature sore loser publicity hound who needs to grow up. Maybe then he will be respected instead of laughed at. He needs set a good example like our fearless leader John McCain and turn the other cheek like it says in the bible.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:32 PM
You seem like a very unhappy person.
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2009 at 3:30 PM
She and DcMike had a little “accident” earlier with an IED they were planting; they’re both a bit subdued from the incident.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Rose colored glasses to the contrary, one of the reasons Republicans lost the last couple of elections is that they stopped fighting.
Left was in the mud, kicking and screaming, being mean and nasty…. and the Right was trying to be civil… they did not even adequatly defend their own positions, let alone attack the left…
When someone from the right has a real or imagined transgresion, the Press, and the Left, are all over it… and yet when someone on the right has Very Valid Questions about an appointee, he’s not even supposed to ask those questions?
Look at the difference in treatment between Tom Delay, and Hillary Clinton… Hillary, who was in the middle of many many REAL monetary shenanigans… and Tom Delay, who did somthing totally legal with campaign money…
Yet she is going to be Sec State… he is pretty much out of politics…
Romeo13 on January 20, 2009 at 3:32 PM
yup, jihadi here. what cafe will you be eating at again?
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Those words will come back to haunt you to be sure. The Country had it’s fun clearing the civil rights air, but now that that issue has been dealt with, we will get back to hard nosed business issues of spending and security. The pendulem will swing back in a big way.
saiga on January 20, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Our “fearless leader” McCain? Hahahahahaha. The guy is a loser that only got the nomination because he’s the media’s favorite Republican until he actually gets the nomination. And, somehow, I don’t think that “turn the other cheek” means that you let people walk all over you. And, yes, I believe that all is fair. I don’t care what the media, RINO’s, or liberals think. None of them have the interests of conservatives at heart. Why should I pander to them?
prolix on January 20, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Gosh, you poor little thing. How many generations back does stupidity run in your family?
Texas Gal on January 20, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Thats because Tom Delay is a crook. Tom you may recall took illegal (by texas law) corporate contributions and funneled them through the RNC to his chosen candidates. Oh and he got caught red handed. Hillary on the other hand has unfounded accusations of potential issues which have not and will not happen.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
He just got elected to a six-year term in November, and it’s the other Texas senator that’s running for governor in 2010. You wanna explain how he’s going to learn a lesson in the next election cycle? (unless you’ve got the inside scoop that the ’10 and ’12 elections have been cancelled).
jon1979 on January 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
As a Texan, I just sent him a thank you. (I’m not sure if he’s taking mail from me – I chewed him out last week for failing to vote NO on the Omnibus Lands bill.)
Peri Winkle on January 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
And whom did you vote for pray tell? You sound like a lone wolf. All by yourself licking your wounds.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:49 PM
I don’t know if it’s worth it. Clinton won’t be denied the Secretary of State job. Honestly, she’s about the best we can hope for in a Democratic administration.
Holder, on the other hand should face fierce opposition.
therightwinger on January 20, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Thats the right way. Let them know when you like what they do AND when you dislike what they do.
Bravo!!!
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:51 PM
IF the repubs want my vote in the future, they will become the party of “no justice, no peace” for the next 2 years.
VolMagic on January 20, 2009 at 3:55 PM
gosh, can you think of a comeback more clever already?
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Dude its the pay for play administration. No harm pointing it out at every reasonable example. Holder and Leithner need to be held up. I mean Leithner utterly failed at the New York Fed in regards to the banking failure. Thats far more worrying then his tax problems. But Hillary is only at state so she will be the first under the bus once foreign policy goes south. And it looks like Afghanistan is going to be the first bump.
Zaggs on January 20, 2009 at 3:57 PM
I though it was best to speak in language and at a speed you can comprehend.. (that means understand if that word is too big for you)
Texas Gal on January 20, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Because rational people don’t forget how politicians waste their time on unimportant things while the serious matters go unattended to. You may forget but his opposition will not. It doesn’t matter when he is up for reelection. Do you think he is going to be able to get done the things that texas needs done at the federal level when he behaves like a spoiled brat and stamps his feet over a non issue like this? It’s going to hurt texas which is already the laughing stock of the nation over Tom Delay and his crimes.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Maybe Cornyn would like some clarification from Hillary concerning a donation made to her husband’s library by the wife of one of the biggest tax cheats in American history, Marc Rich, who was pardoned by her husband during his final minutes as President on January 20, 2001.
I know a whole lot of other people would like some clarification on that little donation.
pilamaye on January 20, 2009 at 3:58 PM
John Cornyn (R-U.S. Senate–Texas–U.S.A.) draws a line in the sand–like at the Alamo long ago. One of my senators.
***
The deluge is coming and Hillary will take her appointed position in the State Department. A very competent Black lady (Condi Rice) will be replaced by a dishonest, unskilled, and partisan political hack. She will fit right in with most of the “foggy bottom” State department–they seem to work against the president and our country most of the time. “B.J.” Clinton will help her bring a whole new meaning to the term INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS when he does third world intern “interviews”!
***
Maybe Hillary can steal the silver service at unfriendly countries diplomatic events! She has experience in this area.
***
John Bibb
rocketman on January 20, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Are you responsible for something a relative of yours did? No you say. Why then do you hold her responsible for anything Bill Clintoon did? Think about it and your argument goes bye bye.
kanda on January 20, 2009 at 4:01 PM
John Cornyn was just re-elected last November to his second term so he has 6 clear years. He got my vote. (Hutchison will not – and not for governor, either.)
Peri Winkle on January 20, 2009 at 4:02 PM
i sure can, honey, i think it should be clear by now i’m better educated than you are.
Noneya on January 20, 2009 at 4:05 PM
LOOLLLLLL!!!
Please, go find me where he was convicted?
Oh, wait… that will be tough won’t it… because what he did was legal when he did it…
But you see, its enough to destroy a Republican to insinuate… and they leave… and yet someone who is caught with 90K in their Freezer?
Romeo13 on January 20, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Ohhh.. I see.. you gotcha one of those them there online degrees for one of them there sophisticated colleges. That’s gotta be it ’cause I ain’t seen no evidence of intelligence thus far…. sweetie.
Texas Gal on January 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Republican opposing a liberal democrat? Shocking.
SouthernGent on January 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »