Last week, the current administration decided that rather than fight for their preferred nominee, they decided to let John McCain and Lindsey Graham lead the way.
Obama had already expressed strong support for Rice, warning Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to stop slamming her and vowing to block her confirmation.
“They should go after me,” he said at his first press conference after his re-election.
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Obama praised Rice as “an extraordinarily capable, patriotic, and passionate public servant.”
“While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first.”
Well, now another nominee is being given the business, and the President is in a pickle of his own making.
Former senator Chuck Hagel’s (R-Neb.) potential/likely nomination as Secretary of Defense looms this week amid a growing chorus of criticism over his past comments about Israel and his policy positions on issues including the defense budget.
It seems some are bent on defeating Hagel’s nomination before it can even become official — much as Republican senators did with potential Secretary of State pick Susan Rice just last week. In fact, the same GOP senators who scuttled the Rice pick are now expressing doubts about Hagel.
As of now, his potential nomination threatens to exacerbate already-lingering tensions between Obama and supporters of Israel, and also between Obama and the GOP.
Whether it’s merely a momentary headache or another potential failed Cabinet pick, it’s far too early to say.
1. That is what he gets for nominating a Republican.
2. Now what?
- He can fight for Hagel, and show that he is willing to fight more for a Republican who never worked for his re-election than a women that has stood by his side for years on as one of his biggest advocates
- He can throw another nominee under the bus.
Quite a conundrum, that once again was created out of thin air by the geniuses in WH. I wish they would just keep their campaign apparatus going. They clearly are much more effective.
If anyone still believes that this administration has any semblence of an ability to navigate Washington, press their advantages, and negotiate competently, I have a bridge in Brooklyn available for sale at a very reasonable price.
The decision the Administration chooses here will be very interesting, and will speak volumes if there is a decision to defend Hagel vs asking him for his withdrawal as they did with Rice. It will tell me everything I need to know about this Administration