Free Republic

The Senate voted 49-40 Monday evening to confirm John B. King Jr., President Barack Obama’s nominee, as secretary of education. A total of 11 senators did not vote on King’s confirmation, while those who voted against him cited his loyalty to the system and support for Common Core education standards. King, 41, has been the acting secretary of the Department of Education since January, after Arne Duncan stepped down from the Cabinet post at the end of last year. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., secretary of education under President George H.W. Bush, spoke in support of King on the Senate floor....

First to note: Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio didn’t show up to vote (they’re too busy asking Americans for a promotion). Second to note: Even though Senator Rand Paul is also running for president, he made time to show up and vote on the right side. (Nay) Lastly note and ask yourselves why Joni Ernst, Kelly Ayotte, and Jeff Flake would vote yes for this radical judge while someone like McCain had the good sense to vote no. The confirmed Minnesota judge is Wilhelmina Wright. Early in life the Obama nominee accused Ronald Reagan of "bigotry" in writing:...

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on Sunday vowed that President Obama will close the Guantanamo Bay detainee facility before his presidency ends in 11 months. "He feels an obligation to his successor to close that, and that's why we're going to do it," McDonough said on "Fox News Sunday." "Sure we are." However, McDonough declined to answer whether Obama would use his White House powers to sidestep Congress and close the facility. "The president just said he's going to present a plan to Congress and work with Congress and then we'll make some final determination," McDonough said. Obama...