Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Problem for Hagel is - one of the many problems for Hagel is that he has now gone on record as maintaining he did not or has no memory of saying the various 'anti-Israeli' things he has been accused of saying - so if confirmed and a video pops up of him indeed saying these things [not a small likelihood given the times] that's gonna cause some serious problems for Obama and his foreign policy agenda. And that's what's striking about this - if you're Obama, why on earth would you stick with the guy [or nominate him in the first place] since you're inviting complications that were and are not necessary? Well the answer to that is what I said all along the meaning of the Hagel nomination was - Obama sees a big political win for him in demagoguing a GOP filibustering of one of their own, and a decorated veteran at that - he doesn't care about some 'embarrassing' fallout down the road because he believes, and rightly so, that the press and media will never hold him accountable for any of it. Don't get me wrong - I entirely believe Obama and Hagel are on the same page foreign policy wise etc etc - but to me it has always been about the political win Obama sees coming his way when he gets to demagogue a GOP filibuster - I mean, why else risk the 'complications' you're setting yourself up for with Hagel? Because there are no risks of real consequence in Obama's mind: he gets his political victory and if it turns into a dumpster fire later on, well, so what? When has the press ever held Obama accountable for his failings and missteps? They got annoyed with him not letting them follow along as he played golf with Tiger - Benghazi they don't care about, but Tiger Woods, now that's a story and they're pissed off about missing it. Jesus. Why wouldn't Obama play it this way - makes complete sense given his priorities and given that for good reason he believes he can get the media to do whatever he wants them to do. I absolutely get what he's thinking - I find it totally reprehensible and think the man an atrociously bad president - but I get it.