Creating poster boy for filibuster reform out of nomination for Defense Secretary of conservative-Republican purple-heart enlisted-grunt Sargent Hagel:
1. Could wake up more enlisted military personnel and their families and friends to the fact that their interests are better served by Democrats than Republicans.
2. Could conceivably move a few hold-out Democratic Senators into the camp of supporting real reform of the filibuster (assuming they understand and care that Republicans will not always use this rope to hang themselves, but instead will often continue to use it to strangle Democratic governance).
3. Is felony stupid by John McCain, whose previous misdemeanors could be excused somewhat by election pressures (the foreign policy establishment’s remaining soft spot for McCain is likely to be fully destroyed by this; meanwhile Lindsey Graham’s vulnerability to a primary challenge would probably be reduced by not looking so cozy with McCain).
4. Should be McConnell’s worst nightmare (the fact that he was unable to prevent it speaks volumes about Republican Senators’, and perhaps McConnell’s personal, terror of teabagger primary challenges).
5. Is not even good for AIPAC, whose influence over the Senate is best sustained through a lower profile than is permitted by the Hagel confirmation fight.
If Republicans actually sustain this filibuster by casting 41 votes against confirmation, then,
after Democrats finish with ROFL,
I hope that Obama keeps the nomination active and makes a recess appointment at the first recess.
It is probably too much to hope for that a Supreme court resignation and replacement appointment could occur fast enough to come before the Senate while Hagel remains an active example discrediting Republican efforts to block a Progressive-friendly Supreme court nominee.
The above is all politics. In contrast, policy refining and implementation would be much better served by getting Hagel into office ASAP.