Republicans Ditch Plan To Walk Out On Hagel Vote

[Mass]

http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/02/11/1570771/gop-hagel-cancel-walkout/

Earlier reports that Republicans were planning on walking out on tomorrow’s confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel to become Secretary of Defense have proven to be a bust, according to information relayed to ThinkProgress.

On Sunday, Politico sourced “GOP aides” in reporting that some Republican members of the Senate Armed Services committee were “considering the possibility of walking out” during the procedure, rather than casting a vote. This morning, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) set the confirmation vote for Hagel at 2:30 PM Tuesday. Soon thereafter, The Hill reported that neither Ranking Member Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) nor Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had plans to join any walk-out.

Further questioning revealed no stomach for the GOP to walk out after all. Staffers reached in the office of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) hadn’t heard of the bid to walkout and were unable to confirm whether the Senator backed the proposal. However, a staffer in the office of Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) — by no means a supporter of Hagel’s nomination bid — confirmed to ThinkProgress that there are no longer any Republicans who plan on walking out during tomorrow’s meeting.

The swift backtracking by the GOP highlights an unfortunate tendency of the media to eagerly report on whatever shifting reason that Hagel opponents cite as being true. Dave Weigel at Slate on Friday pointed out the widespread use of anonymous GOP staffers as the sourcing for their reports, refusing to even name an office connected with the informant, as a method to promote attacks on Hagel. The result is a sounding board in the media for an ever-widening array of charges against Hagel that Republicans hope to make stick.

[yellowcanine]

1. But can we count on a head explosion from Lindsey Graham?

Or at least a breath holding demonstration?

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. I'm counting on a terminal hissy-fit. It's what he does best.

Tomorrow, he'll find something else to be outraged over. Gotta keep feeding raw meat to his nutjob base, or they'll soon turn cannibalistic.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Republicans love to bluster

[LiberalAndProud]

3. I really didn't like Hagel as Senator.

I say that because no matter how sensible he might have sounded in one or two isolated examples, he is one of Nebraska's garden-variety Republicans. His votes reflected that without exception, as far as I recall. However, the obstructionist Republicans are making me like him more. I find it rather perverse, but the enemy of my enemy can't be all bad


... right?

[TwilightGardener]

4. They still have time to execute a search warrant on Hagel's house, don't they?

Or have all of his friends, associates, and former students sit for depositions. If he won't consent to it, he's obviously hiding something....

[benld74]

5. Dems announced they will be serving cake afterwards,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[MoonRiver]

6. Rethugs fruitlessly flailing around, per usual.

I wonder if these bozos have any comprehension of how ridiculous they look. Clown Car continues on.