By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – For the first time in U.S. history, the Senate confirmation of a Presidential nominee for Secretary of Defense was filibustered—and at a time we most needed a Secretary in place! When asked to explain the rationale for the Republican filibuster of the confirmation of Senator Chuck Hagel, Senator John McCain justified the delay by saying, “When he (Chuck Hagel) was a Republican”, he criticized President George W. Bush; he criticized the “surge” of U.S. military forces in Iraq, and he offended many of his fellow Republicans with his opposition to party-line policies.
Other Republicans suggested their opposition to the Hagel nomination was based upon his questionable support of Israel and his less than hard line position against Iran. Hagel’s critics have, by their own weak critiques, demonstrated the true lack of substance to their objections.
If assessed candidly, what becomes clear about Republican behavior is that, while there were several issues of personal retaliation and revenge in play, the filibuster was another in a long series of procedural challenges designed to retard the progress of President Obama’s agenda.
Remarkably, I’ve heard several reporters suggest it understandable that John McCain responded the way he did. After all, in 2008 Hagel endorsed then Senator Barack Obama for President. Moreover, it is not unexpected for an individual to harbor resentment toward someone who defeated him so convincingly on the national stage. Although such resentment is considered a typical human response to defeat, it is unseemly for a veteran of the political game the length and stature of McCain to allow such resentments to shape and, ultimately color, his political legacy.
As for Senator Lindsey Graham, can we believe that his only concern with creating a delay in the confirmation process was the possibility that additional information would surface to disqualify Hagel? Was Graham’s real interest in discovery of the facts of Benghazi or in how much his accusations of malfeasance might muddy the waters of public opinion?
How should we judge the role of Ted Cruz, Texas Tea Party Senator, in painting a picture of Hagel as an Iranian collaborator in the delay? What level of credence can we place in the character and judgment of an individual who would impugn, with accusations based merely upon innuendo, the integrity of a public servant with the preeminent background of a Chuck Hagel?
The larger question is how we will frame this spectacle of a confirmation process. At its core, the Hagel confirmation was more than a question about Hagel’s fitness to serve. It was a question of whether the prerogatives of our President would again be subverted by a cadre of malcontents whose personal interests would have been placed above the interests of our nation.
The warped resentment of the first white presidential candidate soundly defeated by an African American, the insecurity of a Senator who faces the potential of a primary election challenge for not being conservative enough, the misguided efforts of a Texas Senator who views his role as the destruction of established government, the sublimated arrogance of perceived superiority or the manifestation of actual racism all seem focused on defeating the President’s goals.
The will of the American people put the President in office. Our majority vote affirmed our trust in his judgment and our belief that he should be able to select his own cabinet. We cannot be misled by the media or the excuses given by any of those more intent on obstructionism than on national interest. Through the application of our political will – whether vote, visit, call, letter or email – those who’d obstruct in opposition to the common good must learn that a price will be paid. Wouldn’t you prefer our officials acting like Americans rather than Republicans or Democrats? Comment Now
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(Dr. E. Faye Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women,
www.nationalcongressbw.org. 202/678-6788)