Just confirm him already....
"Senate panel postpones vote on Hagel; Seeks further details about paid speeches" by Donna Cassata | Associated Press, February 07, 2013
WASHINGTON — A Senate panel on Wednesday abruptly postponed a vote on Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be defense secretary amid Republican demands for more information from President Obama’s nominee about his paid speeches and business dealings....
They focused on his speeches and affiliations with organizations such as the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan public interest group....
In a letter to Hagel, Republicans complained that he failed to answer several questions, including details on all compensation of more than $5,000 that he had received over the past five years. They also had pressed him on his recent speeches, the groups he has addressed, and their donors.
And yet John Kerry and all his conflicts of interest sailed right through. Must have had the right people on his side.
‘‘The committee, and the American people, have a right to know if a nominee for secretary of defense has received compensation, directly or indirectly, from foreign sources,’’ Senate Republicans wrote. ‘‘Until the committee receives full and complete answers, it cannot in good faith determine whether you should be confirmed as secretary of defense.’’
So how much AIPAC money have you clowns received?
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Hagel, in a separate letter to committee Republicans, had tried to explain that some of the information they were seeking was not available.
‘‘My role with respect to the entities you identify is as a current and former board or advisory board member. I was not involved in the day-to-day management of any of these firms, and have not been involved with some of the firms for years now,’’ Hagel wrote. ‘‘Thus, as a matter of fact, I do not believe I have any of the information requested. More importantly, the information you seek is legally controlled by the individual entities and not mine to disclose.’’
Did you really expect a fair hearing, Chuck, after calling out the Lobby?
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Last month, Hagel told Pentagon officials he would divest some of his financial holdings and resign from several corporate boards and public interest groups to avoid potential conflicts of interest if he wins Senate confirmation.
Not good enough I guess.
He said he would resign his corporate board post at Chevron Corp. and shed investments in the energy company, a major government contractor. He also would cut ties and investments with the McCarthy Group, an Omaha private equity firm.
Look, do I feel good about another government official being tied up in all the $ame old intere$t$? No, I don't, but the decisions are not mine to make, nor is it an ideal world. All I know is Israel has sicced her Senate attack dogs on him, and that's good enough for me to vote aye.
Hagel also pledged to cut ties with several academic and public interest groups, including Georgetown University and the Atlantic Council.
--more--"
Also see: Hagel's Hearing
I might just stop listening for a while.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Hagel’s nomination is still on track, key Democrat says
