Jackson Jambalaya

Reason wins.

We now have a US Secretary State from the US...not a Secretary State from Israel.

That should read Secretary of Defense; we do now have US Secretary of State from Israel...according to John Pilger.

Kingfish I am hearing that Ms. Obama's visit essentially shut down the entire Clinton Upper Elementary. From what I have heard all of the students with exception of selected few where moved to Lower Elementary for the entire day. So a day of learning was wasted for Ms. Obama to speak to the selected few. Seems like a waste of a day for many students.

What we have is two incompetents in Hagel and Kerry joining our incompetent Kenyan POTUS.

"Good job, Thad. Good job" KF, is this sarcasm or are you happy about his vote?

She is the First Lady of the United States of America for God's sake. Grow up!

That is what happens whenever the President visits, regardless of party.

I thought this was a Hagel-Cochran thread. I've supported Thad for thirty five years, but, of late, he has become the epitome of a whore. His attitude of "let's go along to get along" is sickening.

Michelle Obama is the president?

I think Thad has removed any doubt about whether he will retire at the end of his current term.

The 535 people in Congress, and especially the 100 in the Senate, believe they operate at a level far above what the unwashed masses can comprehend. I'm sure there are details we don't get and arcane rules we don't know, but our representatives aren't real keen on that whole representing part. We elected them to vote like we would want them to vote, and they believe that we elected them to vote how they think is best. The sad part is that about oh, 80% of the voters wouldn't known Thad if he walked up and kissed them on the lips, and fully 99% of them, don't know whether Hagel is a Democrat or a Republican. People don't care and incumbents continue to become more firmly ensconced in their positions of power.

All this furor over Cochran voting for Hagel is much ado about nothing. Hagel, while in my opinion, is incompetent, but there is no evidence that he has done anything illegal or reason for denial of the President's choice. Elections have consequences, and one of them is the ability of Pres to pick his cabinet. Advise and consent is not meant to be 'because we don't like him' or 'because we disagree with him'. Strickter rules on lifetime appointments (judges) but not cabinet.

What would those who disagree with Cochran's vote want - Hagel denied so that Obama will send up somebody we like? Dream on!

Amen, Bill. Wicker is exactly like Thad in that respect. What part of representative do they not understand?

need to check your history on the roll of the elected representatives. If they were to vote like a majority of the people wanted, we could just change to the Ross Perot 'internet town hall' government. We don't have a democracy in the US (despite most people's belief) we have a republic. We elect the representives to represent us, but that doesn't mean they vote based on the latest poll, or the blogspots and supertalk.

I agree, 4:18, but I think the representative should consider his constituents in the event that it's pretty obvious that the majority of them want him to vote one way or another. He doesn't have to take opinion polls but he could certainly make a few calls.

So who did you guys want for defense secretary?

11:24; You might remember the name Susan Rice. Or you might not. In a year, nobody will. That's because the elected representatives sent clear signals that she, being his choice to replace Hil, was a no-go. So, she slinks off into the sunset. Hagel is as off the wall as Kerry is. All of them, at that age, are only interested in legacy, power, a corner office and higher benefits. Both of them should have been 'Borked', a term which shoots down the theory that a president ought to get his nominees seated.

Interesting...
Why do I think there is not a pick by this President that any of you would approve?
Hagel is a Republican. Once upon a time, like Christy, you liked him.
That they cooperated with the other party is their " sin". Now you're turning on Thad?
That neither party is cooperating and acting like 2 year olds having tantrums is EVERYONE'S problem.
This "my way or no way" thinking is not just obnoxious and immature, it's dyfunctional!
And, still on the Kenyan thing? REALLY? And we wonder why GOP approval polls are down to 29%!

Maybe we need to start electing people who had friends in high school and played on TEAMS and knew how be pleasant. Instead, it looks like we're electing either the bullies or nerds.

Has nothing to do with Hagel's party or that he, as you claim, 'cooperated with the other party'. If you're as bright as you think you are, you'll be aware of his stated position on Israel, his curious comments regarding the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and his 'fruitcake' (almost Paul-like) positions that seem to change with the breeze.

He obviously drinks from the same Kool Aid jug as Uncle Joe Biden. And, yes, your suggestion that we elect people who had friends and knew how to be pleasant and maybe played team-shuffleboard in high school is as whacked-out as if it came straight from Wasserman-Schultz. Get back to sorting papers before someone withdraws your internship.

well said, 10:38 AM

I'll accept those as your reasons 10:38 am, but I don't recall the GOP trashing him for any of that until casting a vote outside of party lines became a crime .

Just like there was no trashing of Thad until now.

You and the yellow dog Democrats may want a party of " yes men" , but I want men ( and women) who will get the job done for the benefit of our Nation and stop all this posturing.

Given our problems, do you really think this is the worst one? Do we have to take issue with every damn thing instead of picking our battles?

Dear Mississippi Senators:
Where the hell were you for 13 HOURS yesterday when the filibuster was occurring? The folks below found time to actually be there and participate. I guess I'm to assume you were dining with Barry.

Barrasso (WY)
Chambliss (GA)
Cornyn (TX)
Cruz (TX)
Flake (AZ)
Johnson (WI)
Kirk (IL)
Lee (UT)
McConnell (KY)
Moran (KS)
Rubio (FL)
Scott (SC)
Thune (SD)
Toomey (PA)
Wyden (OR)

Speaking of fruitcakes(the sissy fruit from SC) check out SNL's Blood Libel.