The apparently principled opposition of Republicans in the Senate to Chuck Hagel’s nomination as secretary of defense appears to be over.
Via Slate:
Sen. John McCain says that while he doesn’t believe former Sen. Chuck Hagel is the right man to lead the Pentagon, Republican senators will stop using tactics to delay the vote. “No, I don’t believe he’s qualified, but I don’t believe we should hold up his nomination any further,” McCain said on NBC. “I think it’s [been] a reasonable amount of time to have questions answered.”
Even if they’re left unanswered.
In another sign of how Republicans are relenting on their opposition to Hagel, Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Fox News he is willing to accept the former senator’s denials about alleged anti-Israel remarks. “If it’s true, that’s the end of it,” Graham said. Still, Graham defended the delay in confirmation saying Hagel is “one of the most unqualified, radical choices for secretary of defense in a very long time.” But when it comes down to it, “this is the president’s decision,” he added.
You know, in this wild and wacky and turbulent world, it’s somehow comforting to know that (a) the sun always rises in the east, and (b) we can always count on our Republican elected representatives to cave.
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