Graham wants Obama to withdraw Hagel nomination

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) isn’t saying whether he will filibuster former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), but he’s asking for President Obama to withdraw Hagel’s nomination.

Graham said Tuesday that the White House should “reconsider” Hagel’s nomination to be the next Defense secretary, citing his answers about Iran policy at his confirmation hearing last week, which he had to correct.

“Chuck Hagel is a good man, but these are dangerous times,” Graham said in a statement. “What kind of signal are we sending to the Iranians when our nominee for Secretary of Defense seems clueless about what our policy is?  I hope the Obama Administration will reconsider his nomination.”

In the statement, however, Graham does not say that he would filibuster Hagel’s nomination, which is likely the only way that Republicans could stop Hagel’s confirmation at this point.

Even if Hagel is filibustered in an unprecedented move, there may be enough votes to break the filibuster. Two Republicans have said they will support Hagel, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Monday he was opposed to a filibuster, according to media reports, though he said he was still undecided on the nomination.

It appears highly unlikely that the Obama administration would change directions at this point with Hagel, as no Democratic opposition has formed against him and the party enjoys a 55-45 majority in the Senate.

Graham, McCain and other Republicans already have mounted a campaign that helped scuttle one potential national security nomination for the president’s second term: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said this weekend that it was not yet clear whether Hagel’s confirmation would require 51 votes or 60, the number needed to break a filibuster.

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