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(85,915 posts)
8. that's not hard at all to understand and agree with
Wed Feb 6, 2013, 12:20 PM
Feb 2013

Last edited Wed Feb 6, 2013, 12:54 PM - Edit history (1)

. . . up and to the point that we're talking about regarding Hagel's performance (or any other republican in the cabinet) as if it's all an extension of that slur. Notwithstanding the fact that Hagel has made an attempt to recant his comments and has had mixed reviews on that, the President has made his choice and I think he's going to be confirmed.

I'm at the same place as you are with absolutely hating any notion of needing to place republicans in Democratic cabinets. It's almost always a waste if they're thinking of swaying opinions of their dense following. On defense, it's especially exasperating. I don't know what the calculation is by the president, but the way he's allowed his military contingent in his administration to be dominated by hawks and outright republican holdovers from the worst of the Bush regime's military madness betrays, at the least, an insecurity with whatever liberal instincts and expressions he's familiar or acquainted with.

There's enough, just on Defense matters, to keep me occupied opposing the military actions and intentions of this administration. I don't need to dwell on what Hagel said years ago to stay focused on his ascension to the post and to try and fathom just what the President is trying to accomplish and how Hagel is going to affect all of that. Almost none of that can be measured through a narrow lens of that controversy; no matter how important that issue may be to you or me.

I hope you understand.




Mike O'Brien ?@mpoindc
RT @frankthorpNBC: House Armed Services Cmte Chair Buck McKeon talks with Gen Odierno off the House floor http://instagr.am/p/VZX2RwEzgM/

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