Chuck Hagel was only able to get 4 Republican votes to end the filibuster on his nomination. It failed 58-40. 60 voted were needed. Harry Reid was forced to change his vote to no to allow him to re-introduce the measure. Republican Sens. Mike Johanns (Neb.), Susan Collins (Maine), Thad Cochran (Miss.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted with Democrats in their failed effort to end debate. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) voted present. Hagel is still likely to be confirmed when it is taken up again in about 10 days.
McCain then said the following on Fox News.
He will probably get the votes when we return from the recess unless something pops up and that’s doubtful that it will. To be honest with you Neil, it goes back to there is a lot of ill will towards senator Hagel because when he was a Republican he attacked president Bush mercilessly. At one point said he was the worst president since Herbert Hoover. Said the surge was the worst blunder since the Vietnam War which is non-sense. And was very anti his own party and people. People don’t forget that.
According to Claire McCaskill on MSNBC’s Hardball, failure to confirm Chuck Hagel means that he will miss the NATO conference next week and it sends a message to the rest of the world that he maybe does not have the support of the rest of the government.
This is clear evidence that Republicans are willing to jeopardize the security of this country for a political vendetta. It is not for political gain as this transparent move will further degrade their standing with the American citizens.
