The Hagel Horror Show

The Washington Free Beacon delivers the lowlights of Chuck Hagel's Senate debacle yesterday.

For some additional context on John McCain's questioning, here is what Hagel said about the Iraq surge in January 2007.

MAYBE THE POLICY IS CONTAINMENT OF LAUGHTER:

The Times reports that not all went well and includes this:

Under gentle but persistent questioning from Senator Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who is chairman of the panel, Mr. Hagel said that he had voted against some unilateral American sanctions against Iran in 2001 and 2002 because “I thought that there might be other ways to employ our vast ability to harness power and allies” and “we were at a different place with Iran at that time.”

Mr. Hagel faltered at one point, saying shortly before noon that he strongly supported the president’s policy of “containment” of Iran. He was quickly handed a note, which he read and then corrected himself, “Obviously, we don’t have a position on containment.”

At that point Mr. Levin interjected, “We do have a position on containment, which is we do not favor containment.” The Obama administration’s policy on Iran obtaining nuclear weapons remains prevention. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

 Questions about Iran - you might have thought Hagel could see those coming.

Comments

[MarkO]

I say let them have every damn thing they want in the next two years and then drive a stake through the heart of this corrupt regime. Of course, that assumes an exponential advance in the IQ of our Grand Old Party.

[MarkO]

Oh, and FIRST.

[narciso]

Right, just like when Obama and Biden, were in the minority, they supported all the GOP nominees because they were biding their time, no
they poured gas on them, and burnt them to the ground, or at least made them radioactive.

[Captain Hate]

There are still 42 Repukes that have to answer for green lighting Lurch.

[narciso]

Then they hide the gas can, or the polonium as it were;

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/01/31/BuzzFeed-Memory-Holes-Journolist

[narciso]

Yes, I don't get it, how in order to sweep a pawn, you keep a rook in place, that's three dimensional chess right there.

[Jack is Back]

Cross Post:

Jen Rubin's story on how Obama has hung Shumer out to dry over Hagel.

Pretty funny in a way.

[Captain Hate]

Embassy bombing in Turkey; Reporting for Doody ready to round up all videos. Smart Diplomacy!

[MarkO]

"they poured gas on them, and burnt them to the ground, or at least made them radioactive."

Of course I would advocate this, but who will do it? Those who fawned over Hillary? Would it even make the news?

[narciso]

My first though, seeing as it was where they nabbed Al Harzi, was this is somehow connected to the shenanigans in Syria, and the AAS tape, from the other day, but it seems that UBL's son in law, Suleiman M, was recently detained, from
a reference at Ace.

[Jack is Back]

Seeing daddy post on the other thread reminds to note how many cars with Alaska license plates I am seeing in our little corner of Florida lately. You'd see an odd one once in a blue moon but not the influx we have had lately. Don't understand it.

We don't have any major pipelines under construction, no off-shore exploration, no King Crab harvest, no Caribou in Florida, no fjords to explore. It must be the balmy temperatures, green grasses and swaying palm trees, or something.

But anyway, welcome to the Sunshine State. Hope you brought your guns:)

[Captain Hate]

Then they hide the gas can, or the polonium as it were

The identity imbecile must be so disappointed that those Buzzfeed turds are using the term "movement conservatives".

[narciso]

Well I think using that underhanded tactics of quoting their own words back to them, like Cruz
did, is a good start.

[Cecil Turner]

Well, in the first place, the President has a right to the cabinet he desires (barring some egregious unsuitability or criminality). The cabinet is supposed to function to implement the President's policies, which is the real rub for most on the right. Filibustering such nominees is generally a losing strategy, especially when there are plenty of like-minded morons out there he can choose from.

Besides, with Lurch at State, Hagel would fit right in. Moreover, he fairly embodies the Obama grand strategy: clueless and incoherent.

[Gus]

Watching the grilling of Hagel, I noticed dozens and dozens of middle aged men behind Hagel. Nodding, smiling, looking somber. It occurred to me, that if HAGEL is the brightest star in that group, we are screwed.

But we're already screwed.

Is this the best we can do as a nation. A mumbling stumbling Jew hating twit?? And I must note that Levin of Michigan...seemed to love Hagel. He shook his hand umpteen times, as if he was an old self loathing pal.

[Jack is Back]

Here's a damn interesting story about Mike Pence (Gov. of Indiana) and how he has spiked the building of a fertilizer plant by a Pakistani outfit who has done zilch about supplying calcium nitrate to the Taliban.

Of course that goes directly into IEDs that rip our guys limb from limb.

More smart diplomacy? Note it is DoD testimony that is driving the Washington Times editorial which prompted Pence. Wonder how that flies in a Hagel DoD?

[Captain Hate]

Wow, Schooooooooomer is really testing the "all camera time is good camera time" hypothesis by applying it for the benefit of Chuck "don't call me Bagel" Hagel.

[hit and run]

Hagel is Obama's top choice for the job. Obama presumably vetted a number of potential nominees, extensively, and of all those in the process, decided this was the guy he felt would be the best person for the job.

Chuck Hagel's horror show is a direct reflection of Obama's judgment.

[NKontheIPAD]

Daddy-- congrats on granduncle status. Are you in NYC tomorrow?

[narciso]

Btw, hit an early happy birthday, I wonder if the same panel that vetted the Solon of Scranton
was onboard for this;

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/01/31/chuck-schumer-i-refuse-to-let-border-security-become-a-barrier-to-citizenship-for-illegals/

[hit and run]

CH:
Wow, Schooooooooomer is really testing the "all camera time is good camera time" hypothesis

When JiB made the comment about the "kick me" sign on Chuckles's back on the previous thread, I figured a photoshop would be in order.

A picture of Schumer with his back to the camera is almost as rare as CH praising Roger Goodell.

[hit and run]

thx narciso

[MarkO]

"Well I think using that underhanded tactics of quoting their own words back to them, like Cruz did, is a good start." Of course. It will then be covered by the current CBS as a racist rant. If there is anything we have learned since last May it is that the truth is irrelevant.

[narciso]

Yeah well what did that sign at the Tea Party say;

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/02/01/unspinnable-white-house-disappointed-in-hagels-performance-at-hearing/

[NK]

Hagel -- the moron-- filibuster would be an act of compassion-- for the american people.

[narciso]

They really do dial up to 12'

http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/02/ted-cruzs-not-bogus-attack-on-hagel/

[Janet]

narciso linked this before -

"Hagel’s full comment in 2006 was that “the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here… I have always argued against some of the dumb things they do because I don’t think it’s in the interest of Israel.” Graham asked Hagel to name a senator who had been intimidated by the pro-Israel lobby or a “dumb thing” that the Senate had done as a result."

As much as I detest Lindsey 'you jackass' Graham...our side must do this more often. Ask basic, basic questions. Don't accept the premise. Who? Who did that?

[Manuel Transmission]

JiB, I missed the extended discussion yesterday regarding TfL, because ... I was responding to a possible job developing a special widget for them! What a coinkey dink. It is a device to measure the friction on the face if their check rails. Apparently at the track maintenance level, they cooperate with the other tube guys so it might turn into a group solution. Just what I need to get out of semi-retirement.

[NK]

Janet@1028, very good point

[Janet]

The other thing is we need something like an Akin Strategy...ask every single Dem if they agree with Hagel's statements. Ask every single Dem what they think of the allegations against Sen. Menendez.
If the Dem. is on to talk about taxes...so what, just ask them about Hagel's statements & Menendez. Over & over...
No Dem. gets off the stage without addressing Hagel & Menendez.

[Thomas Collins]

I think Hagel's original containment remark is a classic example of a Kinsley gaffe: telling the truth when you were supposed to lie. I suspect Hagel favors a containment policy, and has good reason to believe that is really Obama's policy. I think it is highly unlikely that Obama is prepared to do the necessary to stop Iran from developing and putting on warheads The Big One. If for no other reason, Obama wouldn't want ValJar to be mad at him.

[narciso]

Yes, but what does that entail,

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/state-dept-publicized-names-photos-stevens-benghazi-security-detail-91112-suppressed

[Janet]

ummm...I guess first we need a stage. We ain't got no stage. :(

[NJJan]

Posted this on previous thread. Things are heating up for Menendez. NYT article is actually a good piece.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/nyregion/senator-menendezs-ties-to-political-donor-are-scrutinized.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

[narciso]

Well yes, when they are crossing the border,
one may have to, this was his wisdom in 2007;

When you were engaging Chairman Biden on this issue on the specific question of, Will our troops go into Iran or Syria in pursuit, based on what the president said last night?, you cannot sit here today — not because you’re dishonest or you don’t understand — but no one in our government can sit here today and tell Americans that we won’t engage the Iranians and the Syrians cross-border.

[henry]

OT. Once again, election time in WI. Two that matter. First, WI SC Justice Roggensack faces a primary Feb 19 and a general in April. She is running against a declared Dem and a Marquette Law School professor. Right now she has more campaign funds than either challenger. I expect the unions to try to unseat her like they tried with Prosser. Second is a challenge to the State Supt of Schools. The incumbent Evers can count of the teachers union to fund big & turn out voters. I don't know much about the challenger, except the unions hate him. No primary in this race, just the April general.

[NK]

NYT Menendez story-- filthy political cronyism, outright bribery, cigars and underage prostitutes. Our political class in full flower. The Guilded Age Titans had nothing on today's politico cronies as far as corruption and debauchery go.

[Jack is Back]

Chu going Choo-Choo. Taking the last train out of DC.

Another one bites the dust.

/cliche city

[narciso]

Well typical, henry;

http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/186015401.html

[henry]

Ah. Thanks narciso. That tells me who the SEIU favorite is.

[narciso]

You're welcome, henry, now in Madison, those are unexceptional views, however Statewide,they might pose a problem

[Jack is Back]

MT,

The Tube concessionaire's will do anything to save a quid even cooperate with each other. TfL at the bean counting level have been awarded the Green Eye Shade for perpetuity.

BTW, I forgot to add to Rob's comments about the condition of the Piccadilly that another reason for delayed investment outside of Tubelines saying sayanora is CrossRail. CrossRail will connect to Heathrow and will take a most of the existing point to point traffic with it for the Heathrow - Central London - Canary Wharf with it. I think they just received their 7th jumbo TBM. Possibly the largest infrastructure project in Europe.

[Clarice]

Hot Air asks a good question. If the WH isn't withdrawing Hagel's name, why are they publicly saying they found his performance yesterday "disappointing"?

[maryrose]

henry: Keep us informed about the April election. I feel like we all have a vested interest in Wisconsin politics and know more about it because so much is at stake. Would the dems have a majority if Roggensack loses?
Chu has been compromised ever since he said it was ok for gas prices to hit 7 or 8 dollars like Europe. He is also responsible for the huge waste of money for bankrupt green energy companies. Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

[maryrose]

Hagel is done. Send the next clown in.
Happy Early Birthday Hit!

[henry]

maryrose, the WI SC is currently split 4-3. One seat flips it to the dark side. The VoterID and some Act 10 lawsuits are still en route to the court, so this is a very big deal here. I'll try to keep up and post what I learn.

[Soylent Red]

Let me say this again so that it is perfectly clear...

Chuck Hagel is not a Nebraskan.

[NK]

Happy Birthday Hit

[Clarice]

A friend emails Hagel should do the honorable thing and commit suicide.

[centralcal]

To quote our very own JOM Ann from Facebook:

Obama wants America to Fail and its a twofer. He can blame it on a republican!

To me it is the only plausible reason Obama selected Hagel.

[Jack is Back]

Brennan is next and he is even more dangerous than the other two clowns. In fact, as narciso will attest, Dan Silva has made millions of dollars writing books around his ineptness and potential danger to the country.

But I hear he is an excellent skeet shooter:)

[narciso]

the late Tom Lantos had that suggestion for Craig Livingstone, referencing Admiral Boorda,

[narciso]

This is what they call bringing the extra shovel;

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-31/sleepy-chuck-hagel-has-some-bigger-questions-to-answer.html

[centralcal]

Steve Capus, President of NBC News has announced he is leaving.

Wonder what position he will be filling in the Obama administration? /sarcasm

[NK]

Edward I Koch-- RIP. He was a lifelong liberal Jew-- that was his heart and soul. But by the early 70s he took up saying he was a "liberal with sanity"-- and not just for political purposes- he understood the inanities and dangers of liberalism. He was a combat grunt in Europe in WWII earned his CIB, several citations and was promoted Sargeant. His most enduring quality, even with all his combativeness and political grudges that he carried for decades, and his clear eyed understanding of the Jihadist menace, but the bottom line about Ed Koch was that he loved people. That's why he was a politician and a sucessful mayor. His soulful relationship with Cardinal O'connor was something-- they were both doing god's work here at Gomorrah on the Hudson. RIP Ed.

[matt]

Hagel is Obama's beard for the massive defense cuts that are brewing. By being "bipartisan" Obama can lay it all at the Republicans feet once again. Typical Chicago tactics.

Kerry has the intellect of a college sophomore with 2 or 3 Level 100 political science classes and a major bong problem. Utter 2nd rater.

Hagel seems even worse. Between the smarminess, self importance and sheer stupidity of so many in the Upper House, it is amazing that our republic has survived the past 40 years.

[Soylent Red]

Hagel is Obama's beard for the massive defense cuts that are brewing.

I don't know if it's to claim Republican complicity after the fact, or to paint Republicans who go against defense cuts as being "so radical they oppose a member of their own party."

Hagel has no business in the position either way.

[Captain Hate]

If the WH isn't withdrawing Hagel's name, why are they publicly saying they found his performance yesterday "disappointing"?

Two reasons: First the JEF is voting "present" again. Second, they want Hagel to fall on his sword so they can spout the disingenuous garbage about being bipartisan, as matt said.

[narciso]

They never dissapoint, by that I mean always;

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2013/02/01/while-many-liberal-outlets-note-hagels-horrible-performance-washpost-p

[centralcal]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ....... imagine the foreign leaders (friend and foe) who will have to meet with this colossal asshole!

Richard Grenell ‏@RichardGrenell

JohnKerry to the @BostonGlobe: I WAS THE FIRST CHOICE. SUSAN RICE WASN'T. #wow

[Manuel Transmission]

Just got pinged by Herb with the LUNed essay over at AmSpec.

The dancing is still there, the golf, the celebs, the multi-million dollar holidays, but behind them it is possible to detect a desperate emptiness, a interconnected mosaic of failure.

Wonderful stuff.

[Janet]

Great link, MT.

[Clarice]

Great, MT:

Behave..I'll be back in about 19 days, HB , Hit an everyone else who's birthday is during that time.

[Neo]

The fact of the matter is that Hagel came to the hearing "unexpectedly" unprepared to answer most of the questions and because of that made himself look uncomptent to handle the job of Secretary of Defense.

[jimmyk]

"Things are heating up for Menendez. NYT article is actually a good piece."

Strangely silent on the pedophilia, though, even though there's a connection to the story.

[jimmyk]

"A friend emails Hagel should do the honorable thing and commit suicide."

And for extra flair, use an AR15 with a 30-round clip.

[NK]

Barry as Queeg-- apt, very apt. except in one vital respect-- Queeg was a paranoid and not a competent skipper. Queeg's paranoia contributed to his incompetence and caused him to blame others for his own incompetence. But Queeg was a patriot who tried to do the right thing by his crew-- he even asked for their help-- he just couldn't do it. Barry is a narcissist. He revels in the country failing all around him, because HE'S THE MAN! Even when his socialist ambitions crater, and they will, he'll still be satisfied because he has the golf, the dancing and the celebs all idolizing him-- and THE POWER. He's a misanthrope who hates everything good about America, so America's failure is meaningless to him. Barry is far worse than Queeg.

[jimmyk]

We've been saying Barry is Queeg he at JOM for some time now, but the much anticipated crackup hasn't happened. He's more like that Peter Sellers character who doesn't know any better, plus he's got the media and people like ValJar propping him up and pulling the strings.

[Porchlight]

I'm with NK. Queeg and Chauncey Gardner did not have Obama's malicious intent.

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

Narcissists never crack up when things are going their way, they just get more arrogant.

[Old Lurker]

Cecil from 9:49: "Well, in the first place, the President has a right to the cabinet he desires (barring some egregious unsuitability or criminality). The cabinet is supposed to function to implement the President's policies, which is the real rub for most on the right."

Cecil, if that were so, why does the Constitution require the Advice and Consent of those nominations. Were I a Senator, I would think that requires me to state my advice, requires the President to request it, and the nomination would require our approval. Nowhere does "egregious unsuitability or criminality" enter the clause does it, and even if it did, what is egregious to me might not be to you?

As to the Cabinet "functioning to implement the President's policies", I would agree except that the mandated check/balance is that those policies have to be funded by the Congress which has another duty to pass a budget that the President will sign.

The guy ain't a king....yet.

[Cecil Turner]

The guy ain't a king....yet.

The point is that the cabinet has no power that isn't derived from the President. (Except for a very few powers granted by law.) Resisting a nominee because you don't agree with the President's policies is a losing proposition . . . he'll just get another that's equally bad. And in particular, the GOP will look obstructionist without gaining anything [much]. And refusing to vote on a nominee is a constitutional gray area.

Besides, would you rather have an effective implementer of bad policies, or a bumbling fool? In this case, I think I'd prefer the fool.

[Old Lurker]

But Cecil, even the policies of the president are shaped by the laws passed by Congress and which are funded in the budget. The president cannot make up policies on his own.

[Old Lurker]

You and I usually see eye to eye on these things; I'm still pissed at Lanny Davis on the radio last night minimizing the role of the Senate in these appointments.

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

I'm afraid I'm with Cecil on this one.
The Dems have by and large not used the process politically with cabinet members although there have been exceptions.
Do we really want to get into a situation where no pres can appoint useless dumbasses who agree with him?
Does congress have the power to reject all cabinet members who they disagree with until the pres appoints one they agree with but he doesn't?

[sbw]

Gosh, Ig, what happened to collegiality? After all, isn’t Obama for compromise and balance? And doesn't that mean that Congress gets its way?

[maryrose]

Iggy:
The Senate gave Kerry a pass. Bammy only gets one freebie. He's going to suffer for the rest. We let him have Holder. Look how that turned out. Now we can't get rid of him. He wants to go but Bammy won't let the brother go.

[Jack is Back]

My Lord, has anyone ever read The Caine Mutiny or even seen the unrepresented movie? I don't thinkt he guy at Spectator has because he gets it all wrong. It was not about Queeg but about Keefer, the novelist, the progressive, the fighter for the underdog just like Obama.

Those guys bitching and complaining and mutinying should have stood by their Captain. Because if you don't you get a glass of champagne in your face. And how could Keefer write his book if all you guys are going to mess everything up?

Wrong character, wrong book, wrong analysis. Read the book and tell me Obama is Queeg. He is not. He is Keefer.

[narciso]

This is not a helpful recommendation;

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/339565/obama-adviser-hagel-testimony-somewhere-between-baffling-and-incomprehensible-eliana-j

[Old Lurker]

From the Heritage essay on Advice & Consent:

"The other principal controversy arising from the Appointments Clause has concerned the authority of the Senate to reject nominees. The Senate has independent authority in that it may constitutionally refuse to confirm a nominee for any reason. While ideology and jurisprudential "point of view" were not among the kinds of concerns listed by the Framers as justifying the requirement of advice and consent, nothing in the text of the clause appears to limit the kind of considerations the Senate can take up. It is thus reasonable to infer that the Framers located the process of advice and consent in the Senate as a check to prevent the President from appointing people who have unsound principles as well as blemished characters. As the President has complete discretion in the use of his veto power, the Senate has complete and final discretion in whether to accept or approve a nomination.

The President does possess an advantage in the unitary nature of the executive office as compared to the diffuse and variegated nature of the Senate-even when it is controlled by the opposition party. The President is a single individual, whereas the Senate is a body composed of many individuals with a wide range of views, including members with views like that of the President. When the President has a substantial basis of party support in the Senate and thus a nucleus of probable supporters, he has leverage for confirmation."

[Jane - Mock the Media!]

So SCott Brown announced he's not running for senate. I don't know if that's been posted anywhere.

[Jack is Back]

Jane,

Its all over the JOM threads, including some nice : remarks by Dave (inMA).

[centralcal]

Aw....

Barney Bush died - he was 12 y.o.

RIP Barney!

[Melinda Romanoff]

JiB-

Now I have to go dig out the Wouk's book again. I swear I can't remember anything some times.

I had planned on reading something else, this weekend.

[narciso]

JiB's recollection seem to be on point;

http://www.filmsite.org/cain2.html

[Carol Herman]

Obama has no downside to this nomination.

First, he gets to pick a GOP "poster boy." He can always point to Hagel's party label.And? Even if Hagel doesn't make, Obama can always say "he tried."

Besides, Obama gets to "count votes." If Hagel doesn't make it ... he can always say Congress is against him.

While I'd guess a majority of Americans don't give a rat's patootie.

[mike]

Darn that Hagel. He forgot that Israel comes before America, always. If you claim otherwise you are obviously an anti-semite Nazi. Whatever that little piss ant country wants, billion in my tax dollars, or wars to defend it's fascist state, should all be approved by the USA.

You people are nuts. This is why Repub continue to lose. Most Americans don't give a flying f about Israel or the people that live there, unless of course Israeli warplanes slaughter US sailors like they did with the USS Liberty (oh wait,in the mind of these deep thinkers, I am now an anti semite).