Graham, McCain blast Paul filibuster

The Washington Times ^ | March 7, 2013, 11:51AM | Stephen Dinan

[Red Steel]

Sen. Rand Paul’s filibuster didn’t thrill all of his colleagues.

Almost exactly 24 hours after the Kentucky freshman began his information-seeking filibuster against CIA nominee John O. Brennan, fellow Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the Senate floor to denounce his demands and say he was doing a “disservice” to the debate on drones.

“I don’t think what happened yesterday was helpful to the American people,” said Mr. McCain, Republicans’ presidential nominee in 2008 — who topped Mr. Paul’s father, former Rep. Ron Paul, in that year’s primary.

And where even Democrats praised Mr. Paul for using Senate rules properly to launch a filibuster, Mr. McCain said it was an abuse of rules that could hurt the GOP in the long run.

“What we saw yesterday is going to give ammunition to those who say the rules of the Senate are being abused,” the Arizona Republican said.

Mr. Paul said he was filibustering to get the administration to affirm it won’t kill non-combatant Americans in the U.S. — but Mr. Graham and Mr. McCain said that was a ludicrous question.

“I do not believe that question deserves an answer,” Mr. Graham said.

[okie01]

A lot of those guys showed up because their political futures may count on being seen with Rand Paul, even though they have no convictions.

Interesting that Marco Rubio supported Paul's filibuster...and then voted "yea" to seat Brennan.

Trying to have it both ways, Marco...???

[upchuck]

Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
"Republican by day, Democrat by night."

Want on or off this ping list?
Just FReepmail me.

h/t to martin_fierro for the graphic

[SunkenCiv]

• ...by softening its edge on some volatile social issues and altering its image as the party always seemingly "eager to go to war... We do need to expand the party and grow the party and that does mean that we don't always all agree on every issue" ... the party needs to become more welcoming to individuals who disagree with basic Republican doctrine on emotional social issues such as gay marriage... "We're going to have to be a little hands off on some of these issues ... and get people into the party," Paul said. [Rand Paul: Time for GOP to soften [immigration, gay marriage] stance]

  ---

• One day after announcing on his radio show that he is "truly considering" running in 2014 for the U.S. Senate seat now held by New Jersey's Frank Lautenberg, Rivera amped up his message today in a television interview and a column on the Fox News Latino website... a moderate Republican who is fiscally conservative but also supports gay marriage and Roe v. Wade... [Geraldo Rivera declares himself a 'moderate Republican' as he eyes U.S. Senate run]

  ---

[Graewoulf]

McCain: “I don’t think - - - “

Yup, we know McCain, we know.

[Republican Wildcat]

This does not even make sense.

I think what they are really upset about is that he stole the spotlight from them (which was already fading) in their role as the point men criticizing Obama over the Benghazi debacle. That’s pretty pathetic. Paul did not do that to them when that was at its peak and indeed even joined them. This is petty jealousy...and very disunifying at a moment when it appeared we may be starting to get our act together for once.

[Republican Wildcat]

Paul is very much supporting his re-election - Paul’s former campaign manager is now McConnell’s campaign manager in fact.

[Nextrush]

I am watching the situation.

Rand Paul is fighting the liberal Republicans with that filibuster.

The old Rockefeller-Kissinger guys relabeled themselves “neocons” and have been pushing “New World Order” policies ever since.

Paul doesn’t go along with their vision of a “world order” led by the United States. Rand doesn’t agree with Obama’s vision of a “world order” led by the UN or international authority either.

But I’m not very excited about Rand wheeling and dealing his way into the presidency.

Sarah Palin is my first choice but if she got on Rand Paul’s bandwagon I would join her.

[mquinn]

> “said Mr. McCain, Republicans’ presidential nominee in 2008 — who topped Mr. Paul’s father, former Rep. Ron Paul, in that year’s primary. “

I do have to nitpick this, as it makes it seem like Ron Paul was a close runner-up. It’d be like saying Joe Montana “tops” Ryan Leaf in Superbowl victories.

[Lazamataz]

McCain is EVERY BIT the enemy of America, as much as Obama is.

In 2008, we were given a choice.

One one hand, we could vote for bitter, nearly-insane lyng marxist idealogue, and a murdering friend of the Police State and tyrannical oppression.

Or, we could vote for Obama.

[Yankee]

One of these days we’re going to read that Linseed Goober Graham has been arrested for smuggling penises in his rectum.

[Hoodat]

John McCain is a collaborator.

[GunsareOK]

We could have voted for Bob Barr. I did.

[PLD]

John McCain the democrats inside man..

[VRWCmember]

“I do not believe that question deserves an answer,” Mr. Graham said.

It absolutely deserved an answer, and the fact that the obama administration obfuscated for so long rather than answering the question is what should have offended you, Mr. Graham. The fact that you are more critical of your GOP colleague than you are of the administration's response demonstrates that you are part of the problem.

[longtermmemmory]

Senator Crusty and Senator Mouldy