Former Sen. Chuck Hagel was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday as the next Secretary of Defense, despite a sizable Republican opposition, in a final vote of 58 to 41.
Earlier this month, Republicans managed to delay an up or down vote on Hagel, postponing confirmation by almost two weeks.
The Senate voted for cloture 71-27 – ending debate and imposing a swift up or down vote early on Tuesday.
Four Republicans sided with the Democrats in confirming Chuck Hagel: Richard Shelby of Alabama, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Republicans have spitefully opposed Hagel’s confirmation because, they say, his views on Iran are not pro-war enough, he criticized the Iraq War, he has been critical of Israel and the Israeli lobby in Washington, and he has admitted there is bloat in the Pentagon’s budget.
Hagel will soon take over from current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta just days before automatic, across-the-board cuts to the defense budget are due to kick in, a situation that basically assures continuing controversy following the deeply partisan fight over Hagel.
Hagel will cast out neocon filth.
Rand probably had a real good reason for voting no, something to do with the constitution or drones or just maybe his burning desire to be elected president in 2016. This guy is an empty suit whose worldview differs little from that of Rubio or Cruz.
Or his recent trip to Israel … a bizarre ritual in which US presidential hopefuls travel to a foreign nation to get the puppet-masters' permission to win.
Of course Rand actually voted for Hagel's confirmation, one of four Republicans who did. He never voted no, except for the first filibuster. So I don't know what your point is.
according to the article, Rand Paul voted to confirm Hagel
It's hard to imagine to whom Rand is trying to appeal. Neocon politicians are a dime a dozen, and his father's supporters seem to hate him. Of course, the "King Makers" who own the polls, the press, the voting machines, etc… can make Mickey Mouse president if they want.
He appeals to his father's supporters by trying to protecting civil liberties and concern about spending. His unconditional support for Israel appeals to dispensationalist. I think he just burned down the bridge between him and the Neocons. Sanctions appeal to dispensationalist and Neocons while he feebly tries to explain to his father's supporters that sanctions do not equal war when they do. Imperial Presidents decide when to go to war, not the Congress. Congress did nothing when Libya was attacked. Sanctions and containment isn't a policy it is a placeholder for future Neocon style action.
I hope that Hagel will not be assimilated by the Borg.
Hagel is a done deal, he is already neutered. Did anybody listen to his performance during the confirmation hearings? He gave a new meaning to the words Grovel, backtrack and kiss ass.
I seriously wonder why you guys think there will be real change with Hagel. The only reason he was selected is to make the Pentagon more efficient so to speak. Do the same thing as is being done now with less resources.