The Brief: Top Texas News for Feb. 22, 2013
The Big Conversation
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's push to derail the confirmation of Chuck Hagel may have already fizzled.
Cornyn on Thursday sent a letter to the White House urging the president to withdraw Hagel's nomination as U.S. defense secretary. Fourteen other senators, including Cornyn's Texas colleague, Ted Cruz, signed on.
"Over the last half-century, no secretary of defense has been confirmed and taken office with more than three senators voting against him," the letter said. "The occupant of this critical office should be someone whose candidacy is neither controversial or divisive."
Cornyn and Cruz ...
Comments (21)
Philip Sorrells via Texas Tribune on Facebook
John Cornyn and Ted Cruz do not seem like they are very well informed, and surely seem to be untrustworthy. Everyone does know that Hagel was a republican? Corny and Cruz only voted against him because Obama nominated him. Children.
Johnny Hughes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas needs to get on record against the folks running the Defense Department in case there are base closings. Meaningless gestures from Crazy Cruz and Irrelevant Cornyn.
Jack Morgan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The stakes are pretty high with this version of the chicken game. You either win and get your way...or end up looking like obstructionist crybabies. Can I get you a hanky, Mr. Cruz?
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am so sick of the GOP Tea Party.
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The only reason they oppose Hagel is because he dared to criticize Bush/wars.
Jack Suggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Another spectacular fail by Big John Cornyn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vcB7uCqdFk
George McKenzie via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I suspect they're trying to "muscle up" their conservative bona fides so a primary challenger won't be able to include the words "voted for Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense" in future campaign ads. In fact, I think that's what a lot of the opposition tactics are all about right now. Interesting that the word "primary" is now a verb...as in "I don't want someone to primary me..."
Justin Kugler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think that's exactly what the game is, George. Vote against something while still hoping enough votes come through that it doesn't blow up in your face. Our winner-take-all voting system has turned the primaries into the most important phase of the election and artificially polarized our system.
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
For whatever reason at least this time John voted right. Ted will probably continue to do so. Hope you folks get to see exactly why this is not a good thing. His record is the problem. His record is why Obama put his name in. Party has little to do with anything in this case.
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@Justin Kugler. Just what would you suggest as an alternative system?
Cathy Dunbar Rosselli via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And when the republicans suffer the same fate, a filibuster of a cabinet position, they will be everywhere crying like babies. Karma.
Jalapeño Schwartz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
God I am so sick of this!
John DeMers via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I certainly hope Hagel has enough votes and he can simply start doing his job. My impression is that blockiing one thing and then the next and then the next isn't really how "governing" out to be defined.
Robert Rister via Texas Tribune on Facebook
While I am also weary of Republican obstructionism, in this case, of one of their own, I was also concerned that Hagel seemed to phone it in. He really ought have claimed his time and answered that *#(_ Ted Cruz.
Pun Nio via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hagel questions why we go to war, what is dang wrong with that? Government isn't a corporate board that agrees on everythiing, it is the voice of the people. Hagel has served his country too and having bestowed the Purple Heart, maybe he knows firsthand a thing or two about fighting wars, that others like Cruz and others would never know.
Homero Sanchez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think Johnny Hughes hit the nail on the head in the second comment. It's no secret that the next Sec. of Defense is going to oversee cutbacks to defense. It's part of the reason why Pres. Obama chose a former Senator, Republican, and Veteran. I don't think there are words to describe the type of obstruction had he nominated a Democrat. That said, in a different world, it would be interesting to see how a John Kerry nomination for Defense instead of State would have flown.
Rick Archer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Government is the voice of the people? BS. It's the voice of corporations.
Rudy Gonzales
Obstructionist crybabies is not how i would put it. Combative and irrational TEA-quest-traitors on a mission to say "NO" to everything Obama proposes. We were getting close to normality until the TEA-quest-traitors decided to allow sequestration to go through. They have even tried to make Seaquestration Obama's fault. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYzjMs-6MAE )
We well know the truth of the concentration of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer people and the concentration of power in stricter, less compassionate hands. It is an absolute travesty the elite few govern with the tight fisted attitude and no compassion for those dependent on the government, military and peripheral services including Medicare and Medicaid services. Why are TEA-quest-traitors allowed to treat others as prisoners within their country? "Sweep your state Capital CLEAN....in 2014" "Sweep the House CLEAN....in 2014" "Sweep the Senate CLEAN....in 2014
Bill Thibault via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I get a kick out of a former enlisted man becoming Sec of Def.
Justin Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Justin Kulger.
You are dead wrong. The system of voting isnt the problem. The media and how it tells people how to think is the problem.
Imagine if Fox News, Cnn, and MS NBC didnt exist? Or at least isnt run by entertainment companies?
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
These Chicken Hawks should sit down and shut-up!