Topic: John McCain

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Decoder Wire Will Republicans regret the decision to delay Chuck Hagel's nomination?

Republicans flexed some political muscle with their unprecedented filibuster of a cabinet nominee. But it could open them to charges of 'obstructionism' and lead to more constraints on the power of the minority.
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmation (+video)

Republican senators blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary. But they acknowledged that the situation could be different in a few days.
Obama fact-check: State of the Union speech uses a few shortcuts

Obama fact-check: A look at some of the claims in his State of the Union speech, a glance at the Republican counterargument and how they fit with the facts.
Why Obama's executive order on cybersecurity doesn't satisfy most experts

An executive order can only set voluntary cybersecurity standards for firms running America's 'critical infrastructure,' such as power grids. But some say Obama should be doing more.
President Obama's State of the Union address full text

The text of the State of the Union address as prepared for delivery by President Barack Obama, and provided by the press office of the White House.
Obama's State of the Union address both bold and modest (+video)

Little in the president's State of the Union address was new – he's touched on the ideas many times before – but he didn't seem to be in a mood to bow to Republicans.
Chuck Hagel, John Brennan threatened with Senate 'hold.' What's that? (+video)

GOP Sen. Lindsay Graham may put a 'hold' on Senate votes to confirm Chuck Hagel to head the Pentagon and John Brennan the CIA, citing a need for more information about the Benghazi, Libya, terrorist attacks. How that would work.
The Monitor's View Obama's hidden nonplan to arm rebels in Syria

News that Obama vetoed a plan by his senior security staff to arm Syrian rebels reveals the extent of his humanitarian impulse. But he must also protect the new UN doctrine of a 'responsibility to protect' by being more open about his Syrian strategy.
Pentagon leaders: We support plan to arm Syrian rebels

Senator John McCain (R) of Arizona has championed greater US involvement and chided the Obama administration at a hearing, pressing Panetta and Dempsey about whether they backed the recommendation by the State Department and CIA chiefs last year to arm the Syrian rebels.
Immigration reform 101: Should illegal immigrants be offered citizenship path?

As the immigration reform debate intensifies, some lawmakers propose a middle ground between deportation and citizenship for illegal immigrants. Critics say that will create a permanent underclass.
After his rough Senate hearing, Chuck Hagel gets a boost from backers

His confirmation hearing performance was universally described as 'lackluster' at best – and far worse by many accounts. But Defense Secretary-nominee Chuck Hagel got some support Sunday, including another Republican backer in the Senate.
Decoder Wire Why Chuck Hagel is likely to squeak through as Defense secretary (+video)

Chuck Hagel probably has enough Senate votes to be confirmed as Defense secretary, despite a poor showing at his confirmation hearing. But if the GOP opts to filibuster his nomination, conventional wisdom gets upended.
McCain pounds Chuck Hagel in Senate confirmation hearing

At the confirmation hearing for Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary, Sen. John McCain took a particularly robust line of questioning, asking him about his views on the surge in Iraq.
Video: Sen. John McCain and Chuck Hagel tangle over Iraq

Sen. John McCain had a feisty exchange with Chuck Hagel about the Iraq troop surge at Senate confirmation hearings for President Obama's pick for secretary of defense.
Decoder Wire Immigration reform: Will it win Republicans any new Hispanic votes?

Many on the left and right argue that even if Republicans go along with a comprehensive immigration reform bill, they're still unlikely to win much in the way of Hispanic support.
Immigration reform: a bid to attract workers who will boost the economy (+video)

Immigration reform is foremost a social issue, but it has big economic implications. Exhibit A is a measure that, looking forward, aims to attract immigrants whose skills mesh with the US needs.
Senate confirms John Kerry, a foreign-policy buff who has Obama's trust

The Senate voted 94-to-3 to confirm John Kerry as secretary of State. He has Obama's trust and appears in sync with him on policy, but the president may be primarily focused on domestic affairs.
Decoder Wire Immigration reform 101: How would Senate plan actually work?

Features of the bipartisan plan range from more drones along the Rio Grande to a path to citizenship for some 11 million people in the country illegally. But the fight is all about the details.
Decoder Wire Immigration reform bill: GOP's Marco Rubio seizes opportunity, but also risk

Sen. Marco Rubio, a favorite of the tea party, is key to the ultimate success of new immigration reform legislation. His presidential prospects could rise or fall with the bill.
US firms encouraged by bipartisan immigration reform

From agricultural firms to high-tech companies, US employers are eager to see the broken immigration system fixed. But without details fixed, firms are cautious with support.
Immigration reform: 'This will be the year,' bipartisan Senate 'gang' says (+video)

The politics of immigration reform have 'turned upside down' to make the Senate plan possible. It proposes a long path to citizenship, but only after the US border is deemed to be secure.
Invisible Armies: An Epic History of Guerrilla Warfare from Ancient Times to the Present

Max Boot's entertaining history teaches valuable lessons, but sometimes draws shaky conclusions.
Sarah Palin vows to fight on without Fox News gig

Sarah Palin has parted ways with Fox News, but says, 'we haven't begun to fight!' even though polls show declining support for the tea party movement. In particular, she promises to 'shake up the GOP machine.'
Why Fox News dropped Sarah Palin

After John McCain picked Sarah Palin out of relative obscurity to be his vice presidential running mate, she became a political force of nature. Since then, however, her star has lost its luster within the GOP, and she’s parted ways with Fox News.
John Kerry: 'No one should mistake our resolve' on Iran's nuclear program

Sen. John Kerry appeared Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he still chairs, to discuss the foreign policy he would promote as the next secretary of State.