Second Highest-Ranking GOP Senator Says He’ll Oppose Hagel For Defense Dept.

[wan]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/second-highest-ranking-gop-senator-says-hell-oppose

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the GOP whip, told conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin on Friday that he will oppose the nomination of Chuck Hagel if President Obama taps the former Nebraska senator to serve as secretary of defense as is widely expected.

“I can’t support a Hagel nomination if it comes,” Cornyn said, making him the first senator to publicly state his opposition to a Hagel nomination. 

Cornyn said his opposition stems from Hagel's positions on Israel's national security.

“I’ve heard prominent Democrats concerned about his position on Israel," Cornyn said. "Many Republican have said they did not want to prejudge. But it would be a bad move and one of the reasons I’ve taken the position [to oppose]. ‘Mr. President don’t do that. It would be a bad nomination.’”

[wan]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/second-highest-ranking-gop-senator-says-hell-oppose

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the GOP whip, told conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin on Friday that he will oppose the nomination of Chuck Hagel if President Obama taps the former Nebraska senator to serve as secretary of defense as is widely expected.

“I can’t support a Hagel nomination if it comes,” Cornyn said, making him the first senator to publicly state his opposition to a Hagel nomination. 

Cornyn said his opposition stems from Hagel's positions on Israel's national security.

“I’ve heard prominent Democrats concerned about his position on Israel," Cornyn said. "Many Republican have said they did not want to prejudge. But it would be a bad move and one of the reasons I’ve taken the position [to oppose]. ‘Mr. President don’t do that. It would be a bad nomination.’”

 There are reasons to be against Hagel at Defense, but this one is not one.. Even a former Republican Senator is not good enough for Republicans nowadays. They are literally trying to make it impossible to get anything done.

[Brittain33]

It's like they'd filibuster anyone he nominates except Michele Bachmann...

[Sbane]

This a good fight to be had. As long as the Democratic Party is united behind Hagel, the optics of Republicans cannibalizing one of their own looks horrible. Of course I am sure the Israeli lobby will find some Democrats to oppose him too.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Hagel will be confirmed. It'll only take five Republicans to decline to filibuster. The two from Nebraska and Susan Collins is three. Hagel no doubt has more than two personal friends in the Senate GOP caucus. Not to mention Rand Paul opposing him would be kind of odd since the Paulites mostly like Hagel on foreign policy and Lisa Murkowski has no reason to be particularly loyal to the Republicans while they do stupid things. Kirk also needs to start running toward the center.

[morgieb]

My worry here is not Republicans, but renegade Democrats. Thank  Lieberman doesn't have a vote...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Lieberman's the only "Democrat" I'd see as likely to oppose Hagel, and he's gone. Even if the Zionist lobby has a lot of influence over someone like Chuck Schumer it's tough to see him going against Obama.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Still, Obama is wise to make certain he has sixty before proceeding.  He doesn't want to announce Hagel only to end up pulling a Boehner.

[Maxwell]

Cornyn is a clown.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Hagel will be confirmed. It'll only take five Republicans to decline to filibuster. The two from Nebraska and Susan Collins is three. Hagel no doubt has more than two personal friends in the Senate GOP caucus. Not to mention Rand Paul opposing him would be kind of odd since the Paulites mostly like Hagel on foreign policy and Lisa Murkowski has no reason to be particularly loyal to the Republicans while they do stupid things. Kirk also needs to start running toward the center.

Collins has been the more hawkish of the Maine sisters, so she's not a sure thing, though persuadable. I don't think Fischer feels she owes anything to Hagel. 

My guess as to the most likely GOP votes in favor of Hagel: Johanns, Paul, Heller, Flake, Lee.  Corker also indicated he's open to Hagel, and others will be as well.  Plus a few old Senate friends. Lugar will do whatever he can to support him.