Top story: Republicans don’t like you using the word “filibuster”, but that’s what they did with Chuck Hagel’s nomination for defense secretary. Here’s what happens over the next 12 days, after the Senate comes back from recess.
- “Bottom line on Hagel: Delay is never a good thing; it allows opponents more time. But getting 59 votes suggests his confirmation is likely.” (Mark Murray)
- President Obama: “It’s just unfortunate that this kind of politics intrudes at a time when I’m still presiding over a war in Afghanistan and I need a secretary of defense who is coordinating with our allies.” (The Washington Post)
- Whatever you do, don’t call what the Republicans did Thursday a “filibuster” even if that’s what they just did. (The Fix)
- So what’s the story behind John McCain’s vote against his one time co-veteran and best friend in the Senate? “He attacked President Bush mercilessly and said he was the worst President since Herbert Hoover.” (Think Progress)
- And the questions about why Republicans are blocking a nominee that pretty much everyone assumes will be confirmed is just making them look silly, as evidenced by this headline: “John McCain Denies Delaying Hagel Nomination Over Letter Formatting” (Buzzfeed Politics)
- "'Senator Hagel is going to be confirmed as soon as we demonstrate what a bunch of whack-doodles we are,' said a top senate aide." (Ben White)
- Oh, and remember that Holy Grail of videos conservatives have been seeking? The tape of the 2008 speech before the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination League that would prove, and for all time, that Chuck Hagel is everything America isn’t? Well, it was found and came up blanks. Surprised? (On Media)
- The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg watched the 2008 speech. Here’s his Part I assessment: “In ADC speech, Hagel suggests that the 21st century will be different than the 20th century.” (Jeffrey Goldberg)
- And Part II: “Hagel's ADC speech proves mainly that he can be numbingly boring. I can't believe I just watched the entire thing.” (Jeffrey Goldberg)
- Conservatives have been trying to tie Hagel to terrorist money for speeches he made via an organization called “Friends of Hamas.” The problem? That organization doesn’t seem to exist. (Dave Weigel)