McCain “puts hold” on Dempsey nomination
Senator John McCain said yesterday in a committee hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee that he won’t won’t vote for General Martin Dempsey’s reappointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs unless Dempsey tells the committee what he thinks about introducing US military force into the civil war in Syria according to the Associated Press;
During a testy exchange with McCain, the general added that he would “let this committee know what my recommendations are at the appropriate time.”
Dempsey’s response, McCain said, contradicted his commitment to provide the committee with his personal views, even if those opinions differ from the administration in power.
McCain told reporters after leaving the hearing room that he planned to put a hold on the nomination, essentially blocking any further Senate action until he gets an adequate response from Dempsey.
“I want to see him answer the question,” McCain said. “Hello!”
Of course, McCain is doing the right thing, but for the wrong reasons. McCain wants to intervene in Syria and, in my opinion, that’s the wrong thing. The only thing worse than making a commitment of forces to the 360 degree fight facing our troops is letting Dempsey be in a position where he can blame everything on the troops instead of the policy.
Category: Terror War
Trust me, Syria is only one of the myriad of reasons not to keep Dempsey around.
McCain has drifted off into semi-crazy land as of late….although I don’t mind seeing Dempsey squirm because Dempsey is ever the political animal himself.
Dempsey is a disappointment on a number of levels, not the least of which he seems to be okay with f#cking the troops he is supposed to be protecting and providing for while those of his friends who are proven scumbags with near criminal activities on duty are allowed to gracefully retire with nary a hand slap….
That’s not a leader, that’s a corrupt little toady groveling and shuffling….and that’s not what we need right now, if ever.
We need to just stay the hell out of Syria, period!
Crazy old loon puts a political hold on a spineless ass-licking toadie…and the shit goes rolling along (sigh)…
“During a testy exchange with McCain….” McCain and Dempsey exchanged testes in the Senate yesterday? Not only is that very weird but it couldn’t possibly have been an even exchange.
@4 You do have a way with words. That’s the best description we’re likely to see today.
Whatever…Dem Senate + Dem President = Dempsey confirmation. Actually, very routine for a 2nd term for incumbent CJCS. Since early 60’s, only Pete Pace has been denied a 2nd two yr term as chairman.
McCain has risen to a new level of dumbass. As a veteran himself and prisoner of war, of all people in Congress he should know the that you don’t go into a situation like Syria. It is worse than the Vietnam he knew. Both sides hate us. They are like Afghanistan in that they want our munitions and money but they would love some boots on the ground to kill and then blame America for their problems. We need to stay as far away from Syria politically and militarily as we are geographically. I don;t think Dempsey should be reappointed either but come up with a better reason than, “take us to war or it’s your job” which is what McCain is getting at.
All the more reason I think this is probably McCain’s last term. He’s got to know when to give it up, and even the snowbirds in Arizona are wondering if he hasn’t gone senile.
How about blocking Dempsey’s nomination because he is a disgrace and toxic for the troops?
@10 Thank you for that.
@8 McCain’s military past seems almost irrelevent these days compared to the decisions he’s made. He wanted to stay in Iraq and Afghanistan indefinitely, seems almost salivating to start a war with Syria, and opposed the improved GI Bill because he thought soldiers would leave the military in droves.
While on active duty my home of record was Arizona, I voted for Senator McCain twice. I don’t regret doing so, because at that time he was still doing what needed to be done in a rational manner. * late 80’s through 90’s*
It’s time to retire John.
I still remember the commercials McCain ran when running for reelection–the ones with him wearing the Border Patrol cap and looking all stern into the camera while he lied about being serious on border security. He did that because he had a worthy opponent. Once reelected, he starts immediately into this immigration amnesty thinking it will garner votes for the GOP.
He is an ass. God bless him for his service, and may the angels of mercy escort him to peace based on the painful life he has led during and since his captivity.
But we can’t keep giving him a pass based simply on his military service. John Kerry is a veteran too. Carrying an ID card is no guarantee of good policy or decision making anymore.
Dempsey is a tool, pure and simple. McCain isn’t qualified these days to wield said tool either.
(Have fun with that metaphor.)