15 GOP senators to Obama: Withdraw Hagel's nomination

This post was updated at 2:37 p.m. ET.

President Obama should withdraw Chuck Hagel's nomination to be the next defense secretary, 15 Republican senators argued today in a letter to the White House.

The letter was signed by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; James Inhofe, R-Okla.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; David Vitter, R-La.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Pat Toomey, R-Pa.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Dan Coats, R-Ind., Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Tom Coburn, R-Okla, and Tim Scott, R-S.C..

In it, the senators argue that it would be "unprecedented" to confirm a nominee who did not have a "broad bipartisan base of support."

"The occupant of this critical office should be someone whose candidacy is neither controversial nor divisive," they write.

And in light of Hagel's "deeply concerning" performance at his confirmation hearing that raised "serious doubts about his basic competence," the senators conclude that Hagel's nomination must not move forward.

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WH: Hagel's nomination will "absolutely not" be withdrawn

They raise particular concerns about Hagel's "seeming ambivalence" about halting Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, worrying that "If Senator Hagel becomes Secretary of Defense, the military option" to prevent an Iranian nuke "will have near zero credibility."

The White House pushed back on Thursday, with White House press secretary Jay Carney saying Hagel would "absolutely not" be withdrawn from consideration, labeling the foot-dragging on Hagel's nomination "political gamesmanship."

Any suggestion that Hagel might withdraw, Carney said, "might have been found in the minutes of the meetings of the Friends of Hamas," joking about a fictitious group to which Hagel was erroneously linked last week by a right-wing website.

It is not clear what - if any - impact the letter will have on the political calculus of the president, who has signaled that he intends to push Hagel's nomination through the Senate, come what may.

But it hasn't been easy. Last week, for the first time in history, Republicans delayed a vote on a defense secretary nominee by requiring a 60-vote majority for the nomination to proceed. Democrats were unable to clear the 60 vote threshold - the 55 in their caucus were joined by only 4 Republican senators.

• Senate GOP filibusters Hagel confirmation
• Amid objections, Hagel clears first hurdle to confirmation

Several of the Republicans who voted to delay the nomination signaled that, while they might not ultimately vote to confirm Hagel, they would eventually allow his nomination to move to the floor for final approval, which requires only 51 votes to confirm Hagel. Many said they simply needed more time to consider a nomination of such consequence.

Congress is in recess this week, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has scheduled another confirmation vote in the Senate next week. And in an encouraging sign for Hagel and the White House, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., told the Decatur Daily yesterday that he will support Hagel's nomination when Congress returns from recess. "He's probably as good as we're going to get," Shelby said.

Shelby joins two other Republicans - Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb. - who have indicated they would vote to confirm Hagel.

[ammo17]

here is the problem with the republicans on chuck hagel,he knows how d.c. works he knows who is being paid by lobbyist to send government contracts to their state.he knows there is a lot of corruption in the pentagon,he knows where the bodies are buried,and they hate it that an enlisted man is this close to the president.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

dhouston121 replies: You are such a fool Steve. You really don't know a whole lot do you? Try again fool
-----------------------------------------

Pot.... Please meet kettle.

Kettle.... Pot.

[nearl451]

Frankly, anyone who would sign a letter also signed by Cruz, who as much as acussed Hagel of representing the interests of Iran and North Korea....hasn't an opinion worth listening to.

I noticed that McCain did NOT sign this letter after Cruz's shameless performance last week.

[valleyhorseman]

It does not matter whether you are a republican or democrat the issue is will we remain the dominant world power? If we cannot project power the battle will come to us. The SEC DEF is an important position how the world perceives this selection is far more important than pissing and moaning about donkeys (*****) vs elephants (cute but dumb)

[sweetcakesmaria]

GOP=TALIBAN

[MarielLynne]

Actually, my neighborhood was solid 100% pro-Obama in 2008 and 2012, but in our monthly neighborhood association meeting, the consensus was that Obama should have picked someone else and not Hagel for this position. Most of us are Blue Dog Democrats but we don't like Hagel (who is a Republican, I might add!).

[stevex47]

The birther party really only is a one trick pony isn't it?

[dhouston121]

You are such a fool Steve. You really don't know a whole lot do you? Try again fool

[AttilaThePlumber]

"DHouston121, you have a problem."

btw/ please run, Hillary !!!! 2016 !!!!

[Filmguy870]

Earth to GOP: Prepare for judgement day (2014) RIP GOP!

[dhouston121]

Not likely

[baileycccc]

No matter what they do, this poor group of republicans come out looking like obstructionists. November 2014 can't get here quick enough. If Washington won't correct itself, the people will correct Washington.

[highlndr55]

You are so right, the Senate along with the House will be run by the REPUBPLICANS! Then we will at least get budgets from 2 parts of the Federal Government. You libs are taking too much for granted. Most of the middle left are getting fed up with the FAR LEFT thinking that just because the Divider-in-Chief won the election - not by a landslide - they can do anything they want.

[AttilaThePlumber]

How does ANYTHING from this cabal of ********* qualify as news?

Here's real news:

John McCain Admits He Is An Idiot And Doesn't Know How To Read !

or

Sarah Palin Says Complete Sentence !

or

John Boehner Has A Clue !

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

Well. Pretty sure I now know the fifteen senators who gets the most money from AIPAC.

And everyone else should know now too.