Photo by Sean Santry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seansantry/6937058/
All the grandstanding and posturing is over. In the finest traditions of GOP fecklessness and incompetence, America has a new Secretary of Defense. A man who admitted that his only role in this critical post is to carry out the wishes of the president who nominated him.
Chuck Hagel’s only talent seems to be a unique ability to publicly and spectacularly embarrass himself, as he did in the Senate hearings on his nomination. So ill prepared and obviously ignorant of the responsibilities of the position for which he was chosen, even the Democrats on the panel were dismayed and the Republicans shocked that Hagel could even be considered a serious candidate for one of the nation’s most important jobs.
Nevertheless, there was never any question that he would receive the full support of the “Puppet Caucus”, which the Democrats have become, responding to every tug on their strings by their Lord and Master.
There was also little doubt that the Republicans in the Senate would respond in their usual fashion: expressions of concern, threats to take all measures necessary to prevent such a dangerous appointment, demands that solid indications of the nominee’s true motivations and background be examined…and then, the inevitable cave.
“Chuck Hagel is unqualified for this job”, thundered Senator McCain.
“Hagel must be more forthcoming and release the documents we’ve asked for before this nomination can move forward”, was another warning by GOP Senators.
In a move which no doubt struck fear in the hearts of Democrats, the Republican “Lions of the Hill”, McCain and Lindsey Graham, forced a one week delay in the panel’s vote to move the nomination to the full Senate, “to allow time to get answers to the critical questions which have been raised in the committee hearings”, Senator McCain said.
But, of course, the GOP’s moderate hero tempered his courageous stand by announcing that, regardless of any developments or revelations which might arise out of the confirmation process, he would not support a filibuster! While recognizing how the analogy may shock liberals, it is akin to Marshal Wyatt McCain drawing his six gun on the bad guys while assuring them that “it’s not as bad as it looks, there’s no bullets in it”.
And so, as the smoke clears, the “time allowed to get answers to those critical questions” passed. The “answers” were not forthcoming: Hagel’s stonewalling was impressive in its cheeky defiance and the Republicans assumed their self assigned position…bent over.
“He’s (Hagel) the best we’ll get”, said Senator Shelby as he announced Chuck would get his vote.
“He’s still unqualified, but the president has a right to get his choices”, said Marshal McCain.
That sentiment, sadly, was echoed by who many believe could be the last best hope for the survival of conservatism, Rand Paul.
And Senator Kelly Ayotte comforted us all by noting, “I think he’s (Hagel) got some work to do (because) he doesn’t have overwhelming bipartisan support”.
Yep. Well said Senator. We showed’em. DLH
