Reid To GOP: ‘Serious Consequences’ To Delaying Hagel Nomination

[ProSense]

Reid To GOP: ‘Serious Consequences’ To Delaying Hagel Nomination

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced Thursday on the floor that the chamber will hold a vote Friday on the confirmation of Chuck Hagel.

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"In less than two hours, our country will be without a secretary of defense," he said. "The filibuster of Senator Hagel's confirmation is unprecedented. I repeat, not a single nominee for secretary of defense, ever in the history of our country, has been filibustered. Never, ever."

"There are serious consequences to this delay," Reid said. "It sends a terrible signal not only to our military personnel but to the world. ... For the sake of our national security it's time to put aside this political theater."

"This isn't a high school getting ready for a football game. We're trying to confirm somebody to run the defenses of our country -- the military of our country."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/reid-to-gop-serious-consequences-to-delaying-hagel

Republican belligerence on display. Republicans are never to be trusted to act in good faith.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. He should have changed

The filibuster rules when he had a chance. And I agree prosense - they are NOT to be trusted. They've done nothing but hold a 'figurative' gun to our heads for the past 3 years. There is no compromise or 'working with' these people. Every time we go to kick the ball . . .

[2pooped2pop]

2. serious consequences

I mean the very meanest, very bad, sternly worded letter this time.

[gateley]

3. Kind of OT (but maybe not) -- is their insisting on a 60 vote requirement something

that could have been avoided had Reid made some different changes to the filibuster rule? And, are they doing something they said they wouldn't?

It seems that although they're saying they won't filibuster, they're essentially going to do it. Please enlighten me if I'm not getting it.

Thanks!

PS -- And this is not a critique of the agreement or of Reid, I understand there are those who feel it was a good move but all that is above my pay grade. I'm just trying to understand if they're doing the same 'ol shit -- nothing has changed?

[TwilightGardener]

4. I wish Dems would screech more about REPUBS denying us a SecDef than about Harry Reid right now--

there is time to examine the filibuster rules afterward. Right now, it should all be about REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM harming our national security.

[Lint Head]

5. Serious consequences to the nation? How about serious consequences to the GOP.

Reid did not make a 'real' push to end the ridiculous filibuster rules as they stand. The only real serious consequences for the last several years has been to the American people because of GOP obstructionism.

[LukeFL]

6. Reid if you lie down with dogs, you

Get up with fleas.

I sm not even pissed at you for the deal you broke with the " dogs". I laughing at you now for being so naive or stupid? Or just another corporate wolf?

[Fumesucker]

7. The Democrats had a chance to take this power from the Republicans and chose not to do so

Now they are threatening "serious consequences"?

[Inuca]

12. He was not threatening serious consequences

he said there are serious consequences to not having a defense secretary. VERY different.

[Fumesucker]

15. This event is about as predictable as gravity after the last four years

The Democrats had the chance to make the Republicans actually do a talking filibuster, the Democrats made the choice as a party not to do that for whatever reason.

Now the Democrats are complaining because the Republicans are doing exactly what anyone here on DU could have told you they were going to do.

The smell test, this does not pass it.

[Bandit]

17. Why would there be serious consequences for not having a Defense Secretary?

Don't we have several under-secretaries. Our government is set up so no single person is indispensable. Business will go on as usual with or without an immediate Defense Secretary.....By the way it should actually be called War Secretary. we already have a National Security Department and a Homeland Security Department (Not sure what the difference might be) a CIA, FBI ATF, and countless other Departments designed to protect our nation.

[spanone]

8. assholes....gop

[FSogol]

9. K & R. n/t

[denverbill]

10. That will show them. I hope he wagged his finger at them as well. Or shook his fist.

[winterpark]

11. No senator reid. There will be no serious consequenses as a result of your spinelessness

in not changing the senate rules as you pledged to do. You chased the opportunity to have serious consequences away when you entered into some under the table deal with ole turtle face. I am sick of Democrats talking the talk then not walking the walk when the time comes.

[Berlum]

13. The uGlY cHallEnGe of the Republican Chickenhawk Cabal

The Cabal of Republican Chickenhawks is determined to scuttle America's armed services.

[Buns_of_Fire]

14. I detect a sternly-worded letter in the works!

No, not to Sir Turtle -- to his fellow Democrats who balked at any real reform because a teabagger might get MAD at them!

[gordianot]

16. Republican consequences are closely akin to North Korean consequences both are empty.

Differing ideology similar authoritarian aspirations both dealt with by empty threats.

[riderinthestorm]

18. I'm sure the Rethugs feel positively flayed to the bone with that tongue lashing Harry

[CincyDem]

19. Unfortunately, the ReThugs have been well trained...

...by the Democratic majority in the Senate.

The serious consequences should have occurred on the first day of this congress to create a new set of rules...not to eliminate the possibility of minority demands for "more discussion"...but for accountability on the part of the minority to stand up and explain their opposition.

There's nothing like a good talking filibuster (or was it called standing filibuster) to boil the blood of every ardent C-SPAN viewer.

Now - what tools does Harry hold to participate in creating those serious consequences. None. All he's doing is saying that someone else might get mad enough at you about this play that they'll vote you out of office. Of course when Harry had the chance to stand up and do something about it, he was nowhere to be found.

And yes - we can "blame" other Democratic Senators for not supporting the cause. Bull hockey. If Harry's the leader then there comes a time when he has to pull out Thor's Hammer and pound it on the table among his Democratic partners and say "this is the way it's going to be or you'll be sitting at home come the next election cycle".

Why the heck are these guys so afraid of actually leading.

Why the heck are these guys standing back and saying to Mr. O "Good luck, we support you as long as we don't actually have to do anything".

sheesh.

[RetroGamer1971]

20. This Pisses Me Off!

If the Dems had tried this during Bush, there would have been calls to have them put in stocks and horsewhipped! This is UNamerican in the extreme, and no one of any party should be happy!

[catbyte]

21. So much for the Gentleman's Agreement/Yertle re: the filibuster, huh, Harry?

This pisses me off to no end.

[DearAbby]

22. Reid is right.

Media will be covering how the GOP are still Obstructing...so they can make Obama a two term President? It's Party over country. Obama can hammer the crap out of them from his bully pulpit.

Reid was right to go ahead with the vote. Dare them to stop it. It's a game of chicken. Watch and wait, ol Harry has been at this a long long time.

[Bake]

23. Oooh, Harry's gonna hold his breath until they give Hagel a vote?

Harry, you spineless piece of dung!

Bake