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Posted on 05/12/2018 8:58:20 AM PDT by jazusamo
Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) has announced he will support President Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, Gina Haspel, increasing her chances of being confirmed.
Donnelly said in a statement Saturday he believes that Haspel “has learned from the past, and that the CIA under her leadership can help our country confront serious international threats and challenges.”
The Indiana Democrat also pointed to Haspel's backing from former CIA directors John Brennan, Michael Hayden and Leon Panetta in explaining his support for her.
Donnelly is the second Democrat to endorse Haspel’s nomination, joining Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who backed her earlier this week. Both Democrats are running for reelection this year in states carried by Trump in 2016.
With GOP Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) opposing Haspel's nomination, the Trump pick needs at least a few Democratic pickups to be confirmed, as a number of Republicans have not announced how they will vote.
Haspel is under fire from some senators for her overseeing enhanced interrogation techniques employed by the CIA against suspected terrorists in the past, and in particular for not saying during her Senate testimony whether torture is immoral.
McCain, who was tortured during the Vietnam War and has long been an opponent of harsh interrogation techniques used during the George W. Bush administration, came out against Haspel's nomination on Wednesday night.
But while showing deference to the Arizona Republican, who is at home battling brain cancer, few GOP senators gave signs Thursday that McCain's opposition to the CIA pick would sink her nomination.
Manchin pointed to Haspel's "intellect, steady temperament, vast knowledge of threats we face, and dedication to our country are undeniable" in a statement announcing his support for her nomination earlier this week.
"I have found Gina Haspel to be a person of great character. Over her 33 year career as a CIA operations officer, she has worked in some of the most dangerous corners of our world, and I have the utmost respect for the sacrifices she has made for our country," he said.
LOL! Sleepin’ Joe announced only because he’s a Rat in serious trouble in IN.
Chuck-U is cutting endangered Red-State Dems slack until after the election.
The United States will be well rid of that toxic cretin John McCain.
Joe tacking to the right... HARD!
Not to be too picky, but McCain isn’t there, is he? While the statement says he opposes the nomination, he won’t be there in the Senate to vote “no”.
Unless there some surprise we don’t know about I think that means she is a YES for confirmation.
Paul is against. McCain will not be there and Manchin and Donnely are yes votes from the Dems. So the vote count, as far as I know, is 50-48 at this point.
Yep, the leftist Hill writers always have to get their slant in, McCain isn’t there and may not even be wasting air when the vote takes place.
As far as I know you’re correct.
Doesn’t matter with Manchin and Donnelly having jumped ship.
Haspel will win easy confirmation.
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Sleep N Joe is feeling the heat.
Too late Joe you have been dancing and Chuckie’s strings for too long to try to act independent thinking now.
Braun and Trump
Rand Paul needs to get his head out of his a$$!
Looks like POTUS got his attention. :^)
Agreed, his shenanigans are getting old.
She stays as acting head until someone is appointed. Dems are stupid if they’re looking for someone else. Bet they’re will be a lot of Dem flippers....cuz they’re not ALL stupid.
It’s all a game for attention. He votes right in the end. Everyone knows how he votes. Showman !
If Brennan, Hayden and Panetta support her...I'm a little suspect of her...
“If Brennan, Hayden and Panetta support her...I’m a little suspect of her...”
Gives me pause too. Especially Brennen. But if McTraitor is against her that offsets it some.
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