They must need a few R’s take this guy across the finish line. McConnell must have designated a few of them.
It’s not unusual, no matter what, for a Senator to vote for a nominee from his/her state. Especially if the nominee is allegedly of the same party.
I’m surprised with all the negative talk following his confirmation hearings and knowing just how poorly he did, Hagel didn’t ask to have his name withdrawn. But I think it’s important to Obama to have a nominal R as SecDef to see
the massive cuts that are coming, and the attendant damage to the U.S. military. Panetta also began his political career as a nominal R, as I recall.