The Hill
White House dares GOP to oppose Hagel nomination to Pentagon
“Are they really going to turn this guy down?” asked one administration official. “Seems pretty unlikely to me.”…
“It’s one thing to hold your fire or say something on a Sunday show — it’s another to look him in the eye, this guy who is a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts,” said one senior administration official. “That would be a very difficult thing for Republicans to do.”…
One Senate GOP aide said the conference was “very surprised” that Obama ultimately chose Hagel.
“It’s not looking good. I don’t see strong support for him from either side of the aisle,” the aide said. “This is not a bipartisan nomination. The only thing bipartisan about this nomination is the opposition to it.”
Blowback
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No worries, the eunuchs won’t.
Schadenfreude on January 8, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Well if bho ‘dares’ the r’s and some d’s to vote against hagel, that should be a royal reason to vote against him? bho thinks his dainty #2 smells like roses and everyone HAS to do as he demands!
Arrognat petty snotty little brat bho is!
L
letget on January 8, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Obama wants Hagel bipartisanship in diminishing the USA.
The goats in the senate, from both sides, will enable Obama and thus will be complicit.
Schadenfreude on January 8, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Yeah, you should ask President Kerry about that!
Valkyriepundit on January 8, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Well said. They don’t get it, they think window-dressing enough.
obladioblada on January 8, 2013 at 1:00 PM
He has shrapnel in his chest you must confirm him
-soledad
cmsinaz on January 8, 2013 at 1:01 PM
How does a Purple Heart qualify someone for Secretary of Defense?
ButterflyDragon on January 8, 2013 at 1:07 PM
They will put on a big show to sucker the base and then cave.
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 8, 2013 at 1:16 PM
When you’re the anti-war party the number of potential selections who have honorable military service may not be that high. No offense to any military but as I recall during the VN era a LOT of men got PHs. There was real fighting going on.
katiejane on January 8, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Yes, it is a very odd argument coming from a liberal administration. Are they suggesting anyone with military service can no longer be voted against?
Rocks on January 8, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Why should the GOP oppose him when AIPAC won’t even speak up? Seriously, take a cue from Obama and vote present. This isn’t a fight we should have and elections have consequences.
I’m sick of hearing about this. Hagel is going to get confirmed, any reservations coming from the Democrats is nothing more than a bait and switch tactic to embarrass Republicans, don’t fall for it. Quietly vote present, put your concerns in writing, and move on.
Daemonocracy on January 8, 2013 at 1:23 PM
You know if he had been awarded say a Silver Star or Bronze Star let alone anything higher, in conjunction with those Purple Hearts he would have far more cred. As it is he just got wounded and anyone who knows anything about the Purple Heart knows it doesn’t take much to get one. The poor Soldier, Marine etc who gets multiple limbs blown off gets a Purple Heart as does someone who gets some shrapnel in the butt. A Purple Heart is in no way some big indicator of how well someone will do as a Sec Def. Good on him that he enlisted, saw combat etc but just going to Vietnam and getting a Purple Heart doesn’t make him to be this towering figure. Obama just wants to pick a fight.
major dad on January 8, 2013 at 1:28 PM
He also wants to use the confirmation fight to further divide and demonize the Repub party. He wants to put the GOP out of business.
petefrt on January 8, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Using Obama logic, he should have dropped out of the 2008 race for Commander in Chief considering McCain spent 6 years in a P.O.W. camp while Obama steered clear of military service his whole life.
Daemonocracy on January 8, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Since when do lefties view being a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts a good thing?
supernova on January 8, 2013 at 1:34 PM
Double down, baby.
Bob's Kid on January 8, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Agree with you 100% on this.
There are a number of battles to be fought with Obama. Confirming Chuck Hagel is not one of them.
Republicans should vote against him, if they so choose, and then move on.
TheRightMan on January 8, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Why would they vote against him? He’s a former member of their club. If Trent Lott were still there, he’d give him a big bear hug, and sing some barbershop quartet crap.
Ward Cleaver on January 8, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Triple Dog Dare?
trs on January 8, 2013 at 2:13 PM
The same day the nominated Lurch!
D-fusit on January 8, 2013 at 3:32 PM
Exactly. They have no leverage at all and precious little spine to use it if they did. We have no assets to fight this battle, so pack it up and move on.
MelonCollie on January 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM