Could GOP filibuster Hagel nomination?

Updated 9:00 p.m. ET

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GOP grills Hagel at Senate confirmation hearing

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is raising the possibility of a filibuster of President Barack Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary.

In interview this past weekend, McConnell gave Hagel a poor grade for his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee several days ago.

The Senate Armed Services Committee could vote as early as Thursday on the nomination and refer it to the full Senate. Democrats hold a 14-12 edge on the panel.

McConnell said opposition to the former Republican senator leading the Pentagon was growing.

"Whether that means he will end up having to achieve 60 votes or 51 is not clear yet," the Kentucky senator, who is seeking re-election, said Saturday at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Louisville.

Senate Democrats, who hold the majority in the Senate, continue to stand behind the nomination, and no Democrat has said he or she would vote against the president's pick for his second-term national security team. Hagel, 66, is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran who served two terms as Nebraska senator.

Assuming all 55 Democrats/Democratic-leaning independents support Hagel, it appears Hagel may have the 60 votes to end a possible filibuster, according to a CBS News analysis.

There are five Republicans who have either indicated their outright support for Hagel's nomination or have said they would not support a filibuster.

Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb., have said they'll vote for Hagel. In addition, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., while against Hagel's nomination, have indicated they would vote to end a filibuster. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has also said she was "not inclined" to support a filibuster, CBS News has learned.

• Schieffer: Hagel's nomination may be in trouble
• Hagel grilled at confirmation hearing, defends record

Hagel seemed ill-prepared under withering cross-examination from Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans in nearly eight hours of testimony at his confirmation hearing last Thursday. He was repeatedly pressed about past statements and votes on Israel, Iran and nuclear weapons, with GOP lawmakers suggesting he wasn't sufficiently supportive of Israel or anti-Iran.

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Hagel disappoints WH at hearing, Schieffer says

McConnell's failure to rule out a filibuster marks the first time the leader has suggested it could be an option. In the past, when Republicans occupied the White House, GOP senators have argued strenuously that nominees should get an up-or-down Senate vote, especially Cabinet picks.

Last Friday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration would be "stunned if, in the end, Republican senators choose to try to block the nomination of a decorated war veteran who was once among their colleagues in the Senate as a Republican."

The White House insisted on Monday that the president stands behind the nominee.

"The issue here is `how will an individual do the job,' and there's no question in the president's mind that Sen. Hagel will do the job well," Carney said aboard Air Force One.

CBS News Senate producer John Nolen contributed to this report.

[RobertVBrand]

They don't call McConnell "Porky Pig" just because of his face, but also because of the pork he inserts into many laws to replay his contributors. I guess Hagel didn't contribute enough to his campaign.

[RobertVBrand]

Not to knock the Purple Heart, but even two aren't enough to call him a "decorated war veteran".

[newz4me]

Another GOPer filibuster? Okay. We'll end up with a one-party system.

[baileycccc]

The present gop specializes in shooting itself in the foot. The death of this failed party is at hand.

[wh0622]

If the lib President Obama appointed a donkey all of the Democrats would vote for him. Hagel is not the appropriate person for this job. Appoint someone else who can really do the job. What does decorations from Vietnam have to do with qualifications for a job. Nothing. Just because he was a Senator also does not qualify him. Get someone with experience.

[newz4me]

WHO622: if the lib Pres Obama appointed a donkey ... GOPers would filibuster donkey's, birds, anything ... with their us-vs-them mentality primarily due to the fact that GOPers only see "states" NOT united states.

[Martha12345]

All politics aside, Obama can find someone better than Hagel.

[RobertVBrand]

Martha, Obama may be able to find someone better than Hagel, but he didn't. It's his cabinet, not yours.

[Wingsfan1983]

If the GOP filibusters then they again will be perceived as the party of NO and it may cost them in the next election.

We saw what happened last November.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

In this case the answer had better be yes... Mortar.

Im sure you want Netanyahoo to be our president. And our Foreign Policy to be dictated from Jerusalem.

[omnibus66]

If the pugs weren't so pathetic (and at the same time frightening) they would actually be funny. But fools who have access to power should never be considered humorous. While the misguided goal of these pugs is to destroy Obama, they are doing a huge job of collateral damage to the rest of the country. After all, protecting the rich is a tough job, even when you don't have a black president to take down. With one, it's almost too much for even the most black-hearted bigots.

[eroteme2]

Rather strange, an ex sergeant to become Secretary of Defense? And considering his two years miltary service as giving him military experience? Yes, but at a low level. As Secretary of Defense generals and admirals will receive his guidance and control.

[nsamarshall]

just heard from mitch McConnell..... repubs will filibuster... he will take the lead.....

[A_Canadian_Opinion]

Why would the GOP do that other than to be a bunch of dycks? Oh yeah, answered my own question. Move on.