Had no problem with President Obama's nomination of Hagle, even though he has said a few questionable things in the past, until I caught some of the banter today at his confirmation hearing. What a disaster. This guy has no ability to think on his feet. He got flustered, and babbled, and no one even asked him any hard questions.
It was outright uncomfortable to watch.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/chuck-hagel-stumbles-on-iran-question-87001.html
Of course you have to put aside the fact that Inhof acted a fool, eliciting at least 60 million face-palms, but beside that, Hagel was unprepared, uninformed, and strangely ill-equipped to field any questions confidently.
They aren't interested in what he knows. Like his new boss, he fit the suit.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-hNInFoIVY/Th34JnXWiWI/AAAAAAAAR98/2i88MTMmHC8/s1600/Greg%2BBrady%2BJohnny%2BBravo.JPG)
Made me nervous to watch. I'm confident that if John McCain had asked him "Do you like cheese?" he would have tilted his head, hummed and hawed and vacillated on wether or not he should like cheese, and given an inadequate answer.
I'm not feeling super great about defense now.
I imagine this is how Hagle was chosen:
Pres. Obama: "Biden, I need a real dipshit!"
Biden: "What can I do you for sir?"
Pres. Obama: "Not you! Get me someone else. Valerie says I need a pro-life Republican who feels the same about foreign policy as I do. Someone that would make the republicans look bad if they vote against him, but would be laughably inept if they voted for him."
Biden: "Well, I'm no republican, but I. . ."
Pres. Obama: "You already have a job you idiot. Valerie says I need a new idiot, one that makes republicans look worse than they already do. We're on the verge of war and chaos in the Middle East, and in Northern Africa. When that flaming crap sack lands on our front porch, I want a republican stomping on the flames and getting $hit all over him."
Biden: "but sir, I don't know of any republican community organizers? Wait, there is that Hagle guy that Jill and I like to have dinner with. She says when he and I get together I am at my most brilliant. We just talk and talk, and tell jokes about people and stuff. "
Pres. Obama: "What do you know about his positions?"
Biden: "Aw man, who told you? It was a joke, he was showing me his golf stance, and we had had a few drinks, and we ended up wrestling around and giving each other noogies and purple nurples. It was all harmless."
Pres. Obama: "Oh! Good Lord, If only you were a republican. Never mind, I'll have Valerie interview him. He sounds like the perfect candidate."
http://www.amazon.com/Rumsfeld-Rise-Fall-Catastrophic-Legacy/dp/1416535764
Conan....READ UP!
Republicans confirmed Connie Rice who had only the experience of playing the piano, friend of the President and spoke Russia as the same Law Makers felt that was enough to be Secretary of Defense. Senator Rafael aka Ted Cruz feels Hagle isn't American enough. Cruz born in Canada, came to the US for the benefits and is hiding from his Cuban family and Castro.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/31/buzz-in-the-senate-hagel-wasnt-so-hot-in-hearing/
Quote from: Gaspar on January 31, 2013, 03:45:02 PM
Made me nervous to watch. I'm confident that if John McCain had asked him "Do you like cheese?" he would have tilted his head, hummed and hawed and vacillated on wether or not he should like cheese, and given an inadequate answer.
I'm not feeling super great about defense now.
I imagine this is how Hagle was chosen:
Pres. Obama: "Biden, I need a real dipshit!"
Biden: "What can I do you for sir?"
Pres. Obama: "Not you! Get me someone else. Valerie says I need a pro-life Republican who feels the same about foreign policy as I do. Someone that would make the republicans look bad if they vote against him, but would be laughably inept if they voted for him."
Biden: "Well, I'm no republican, but I. . ."
Pres. Obama: "You already have a job you idiot. Valerie says I need a new idiot, one that makes republicans look worse than they already do. We're on the verge of war and chaos in the Middle East, and in Northern Africa. When that flaming crap sack lands on our front porch, I want a republican stomping on the flames and getting $hit all over him."
Biden: "but sir, I don't know of any republican community organizers? Wait, there is that Hagle guy that Jill and I like to have dinner with. She says when he and I get together I am at my most brilliant. We just talk and talk, and tell jokes about people and stuff. "
Pres. Obama: "What do you know about his positions?"
Biden: "Aw man, who told you? It was a joke, he was showing me his golf stance, and we had had a few drinks, and we ended up wrestling around and giving each other noogies and purple nurples. It was all harmless."
Pres. Obama: "Oh! Good Lord, If only you were a republican. Never mind, I'll have Valerie interview him. He sounds like the perfect candidate."
I just pissed myself. A little.
...the sweet release of black tar heroin....end the discomfort!
Quote from: Teatownclown on January 31, 2013, 04:26:33 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Rumsfeld-Rise-Fall-Catastrophic-Legacy/dp/1416535764
Conan....READ UP!
Republicans confirmed Connie Rice who had only the experience of playing the piano, friend of the President and spoke Russia as the same Law Makers felt that was enough to be Secretary of Defense. Senator Rafael aka Ted Cruz feels Hagle isn't American enough. Cruz born in Canada, came to the US for the benefits and is hiding from his Cuban family and Castro.
Rice was Secretary of Defense and spoke Russia?
George Bush was also very smart (argue all you want, by grades in college and by achievements he is almost certainly plenty smart), but a horrid public speaker. Meanwhile, there are many people whoa re good media figures/public speakers who are morons. A good public speaker can give off the guise of intelligence, but the two are not always at an intersection.
Unfortunately, if you cannot clearly articulate your point to the public, to foreign diplomats, or whomever else, you may not be cut out for Secretary of Defense.
"Sure I said we need to bomb Iran, but I meant the royal "we" and I meant sometime later. I had no idea the Air Force would take that so seriously. Why do we give so much coin to Israel if they can't take a hint?"
I'm sure this was a scene of mutual respect in both directions:
(http://prospect.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mccainwide.jpg)
Quote from: cannon_fodder on February 01, 2013, 08:29:35 AM
George Bush was also very smart (argue all you want, by grades in college and by achievements he is almost certainly plenty smart), but a horrid public speaker. Meanwhile, there are many people whoa re good media figures/public speakers who are morons. A good public speaker can give off the guise of intelligence, but the two are not always at an intersection.
Unfortunately, if you cannot clearly articulate your point to the public, to foreign diplomats, or whomever else, you may not be cut out for Secretary of Defense.
"Sure I said we need to bomb Iran, but I meant the royal "we" and I meant sometime later. I had no idea the Air Force would take that so seriously. Why do we give so much coin to Israel if they can't take a hint?"
My thinking exactly. Hagle has had a outstanding career of service to his country. He helped get Reagan elected, and served Nebraska for over a decade. That is all wonderful, but it doesn't make him qualified to implement defense policy. The hearings show that indeed, this is not a position he is fit for. Above all else, the Secretary of Defense must be able to articulate the position of the United States clearly and forcefully. There should never be any doubt as to what our policys are when it comes to the Defense of the Republic.
Sorry. George Bush was not smart.
Quote from: Teatownclown on February 01, 2013, 02:15:33 PM
Sorry. George Bush was not smart.
(http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=7019414)
Strangely reminiscent. . .
BREAKING: Republicans block vote on Hagel for Defense secretary
Quote from: Townsend on February 14, 2013, 04:09:28 PM
BREAKING: Republicans block vote on Hagel for Defense secretary
No sweat....after President's Day this will happen.
Jim Inhofe is an idiot.
Quote from: Townsend on February 14, 2013, 04:09:28 PM
BREAKING: Republicans block vote on Hagel for Defense secretary
I oppose this filibuster.
Quote from: Townsend on February 14, 2013, 04:09:28 PM
BREAKING: Republicans block vote on Hagel for Defense secretary
Harry Reid is a funny little man.
"The Republicans are playing politics with this."
Wonder how often he looks in the mirror.
The Republicans are spending "political capital" on stupid stuff. Just to be contrary at all costs. Their idiot leadership can't choose it's battles wisely at all. And they wonder why people see them as the Republiobstructionisticans? (Just TRY to say that 3 times fast...)
Obama has started down that same 'rabbit hole' with gun control - spending political capital for no good reason other than personal satisfaction. Instead of staying focused on what was working for him (economy) and beating that drum, he just can't resist the urge to distract himself with something that has been near and dear to his heart for a long time - the elimination of private firearms ownership by law abiding individuals.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on February 15, 2013, 09:37:41 AM
The Republicans are spending "political capital" on stupid stuff. Just to be contrary at all costs. Their idiot leadership can't choose it's battles wisely at all. And they wonder why people see them as the Republiobstructionisticans? (Just TRY to say that 3 times fast...)
Obama has started down that same 'rabbit hole' with gun control - spending political capital for no good reason other than personal satisfaction. Instead of staying focused on what was working for him (economy) and beating that drum, he just can't resist the urge to distract himself with something that has been near and dear to his heart for a long time - the elimination of private firearms ownership by law abiding individuals.
Now you're starting to sound like an NRA member.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on February 15, 2013, 09:37:41 AM
Obama has started down that same 'rabbit hole' with gun control - spending political capital for no good reason other than personal satisfaction. Instead of staying focused on what was working for him (economy) and beating that drum, he just can't resist the urge to distract himself with something that has been near and dear to his heart for a long time - the elimination of private firearms ownership by law abiding individuals.
It's nothing more than a diversion. He's not stupid. He knows that as long as the senate is led by Harry Reid, there will never be a vote on gun control. He also knows that Harry will never pass any budget he delivers. It is in his best interest to keep public attention focused on the gun issue, rather than budget and economic issues. That way he can continue to make it look like the other side is obstructionist, instead of the fact that he has the leadership capabilities of a squirrel.
Leadership is not making everyone do what you want, it is making what you want into something that everyone shares a desire for.
No man is great enough or wise enough for any of us to surrender our destiny to. The only way in which anyone can lead us is to restore our belief in our own guidance. – Henry Miller
Quote from: Hoss on February 15, 2013, 09:48:03 AM
Now you're starting to sound like an NRA member.
Starting to?? Where have you been, Rip Van Winkle?? It hasn't been obvious before?? Geez...guess I will have to try harder!
People who say he just now started this effort haven't read what he has written/said in the past. Gotta go back more than just 5 years to see 'history'.
Quote from: Gaspar on February 15, 2013, 10:33:08 AM
It's nothing more than a diversion. He's not stupid. He knows that as long as the senate is led by Harry Reid, there will never be a vote on gun control. He also knows that Harry will never pass any budget he delivers. It is in his best interest to keep public attention focused on the gun issue, rather than budget and economic issues. That way he can continue to make it look like the other side is obstructionist, instead of the fact that he has the leadership capabilities of a squirrel.
No matter what his leadership qualities, the Republicans have shown themselves to, indeed, be obstructionist. Repeatedly. Cap and trade was their idea and was the "manna from Heaven" event of all time until the Dems agreed and said, "Ok." (Can you spell John Sununu?) You know this....or maybe you don't?? Geez, I hope you are better informed than that!!
Item after item, this has happened in the last 15 or 20 years. Latest is Hagle. How can anyone possibly have a complaint about this guy after Donald Rumsfeld?? Rummy is the "Gold Standard" of just how bad a Secretary of Defense can be! And Hagle being reluctant to use the full force and might of the United States military - the direct opposite of Rummy - just makes him that much more the better choice! I guess one would have had to serve in a wartime military position to appreciate that - like Hagle has - and like Rummy never did! Let's see...two purple hearts for Hagle, versus a big, red, bulbous alcoholic nose for Rummy. Yeah...equivalence!