Rand Paul votes to confirm Hagel: ‘I give the president some prerogative’
http://twitter.com/#!/AriMorgenstern/status/306522604578144256
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s vote to confirm Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense stands out for a couple of reasons. First, only four Republicans voted yes to confirm Hagel, and earlier in the day Paul had voted, along with Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, against bringing Hagel’s confirmation to a vote. Paul explained that what might look like a flip flop isn’t necessarily so, and that he was hoping to delay the vote in order to pressure the administration for more information.
I interviewed Rand Paul today about the Hagel drama, story up in a bit
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) February 26, 2013
Short version: Paul was mostly using Hagel filibuster as lever to get more drone/targeted killing info
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) February 26, 2013
Rand Paul spox says senator voted for Hagel even though he disagrees with him because he believes president deserves leeway on his nominees.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 26, 2013
Following the vote, Paul told reporters in the Capitol Building, “There are many things I disagree with Chuck Hagel on, there are many things I disagree with John Kerry on, there are very few things I agree with the president on, but the president gets to choose political appointees.”
So yeah, Rand Paul voted to confirm Chuck Hagel. Discuss.
— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) February 26, 2013
Quite a few conservatives were disappointed to see Tea Party favorite Paul seemingly go the way of Chris Christie.
No elected official has a perfect voting record. But Rand Paul was perfectly disappointing today, voting FOR Hagel. #tcot
— Resist Tyranny (@ResistTyranny) February 26, 2013
I would also like to point out that McCain, Graham, Ayotte (“RINOS”) voted against #Hagel. Rand Paul voted in favor. #tcot
— Amy Lutz (@amylutz4) February 26, 2013
The GOP is acting like a bunch of castrated piglets. Seriously Hagel is confirmed. Rand Paul voted yes for this clown!
— nathanael (@right_wingflyer) February 26, 2013
Who hurt their WH chances worse today: Christie or Rand Paul?
— Richard Skinner (@richardmskinner) February 26, 2013
I have but one thing to say to those who voted for Hagel including Sen Rand Paul. You have betrayed the confidence of us all! Disgusting!
— Victor Warden (@lightning7876) February 26, 2013
Huh. Perhaps I only needed an egg timer to gauge Rand Paul’s presidential prospects. #Hagel #SecDef #Wiberty
— Brad Carlson (@Brad_Carlson) February 26, 2013
Rand Paul’s voting on Hagel is schizophrenic: “no” on cloture, then “yes” to confirm. I read that as cowardice.
— L. North (@LadyLNorth) February 26, 2013
Rand Paul actually thinks his political career will survive his Hagel vote. It probably will. But not with conservatives. Nice knowin ya.
— April(@AprilBrazill) February 26, 2013
Remember when it appeared that Rand Paul was the last bastion of hope for conservatives in 2016? One Hagel vote later, and now he’s history.
— ★RavenSteele★ (@ravensteele111) February 27, 2013
All pro-Israel Republicans ought to think twice before voting for Rand Paul in 2016. His vote for #Hagel raises A LOT of questions
— Josh Nass (@JoshuaNass) February 27, 2013
Honestly, I lost a lot of respect for Rand Paul this afternoon.I thought he was a man of conviction.
— ToddOH43 (@ToddOH43) February 27, 2013
@chadpergram so Rand Paul isn’t the renegade he wants everyone to think he is #Pathetic
— Kim (@kimmysees) February 26, 2013
Though reaction ranged from anger to mere disappointment, some are sticking with Paul as their best hope for 2016.
So, if the Republican party turns on Rand Paul now…. they know they’d be left with absolutely no options, right?#TCOT #RandPaul2016
— Matthew Verduci (@Verduci) February 27, 2013
I’m not going to eat our own like you all, bc of one vote. I’m going to vote for our best bet to save this country. I’m still Rand Paul 2016
— Derrick Coleman (@DerrickAColeman) February 26, 2013
