In a move that is similar pieces repetitive and unsatisfactory, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska ) has announced her intention to vote against Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense.
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In a long speech she posted to X, which dripped with phrases and feigned social dominance, she provided little more than a washing list of exaggerated problems and thin reasons.
“After complete evaluation, I may assume that I cannot in good conscience support his candidacy for Secretary of Defense, ” she wrote.
Of course, she claimed to have undertaken a “thorough analysis, ” yet her reason reeks more of the political grandstanding of a RINO than real concern for our national security.
Let’s handle the humor of her speech. Murkowski admits, “ I commend Pete Hegseth’s support to our country, including leading forces in battle and advocating for our soldiers. ”
High praise, however, but she soon undercut it with her statement that these achievements aren’t much. According to Murkowski, the Department of Defense is “one of the most sophisticated and effective organizations in the world, ” and she believes Hegseth lacks the knowledge to handle it.
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Let’s put this in perspective. Murkowski voted to ensure Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense, who may have been qualified on paper but turned out to be a shocking and ignorant Secretary of Defense.
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Sounding more like a Democrat than a Republican, Murkowski next dredged up charges of fiscal mismanagement and work problems from Hegseth’s career leading former businesses.
Her hand-wringing over Hegseth’s past comments on females in battle is extremely unrealistic. Murkowski acknowledges that Hegseth has revised his position but still frets over the “message ” his confirmation might send.
Although he has lately revised his remarks on women in battle since being nominated, I remain worried about the concept that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join. Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla. ) addressed pretty much everything Murkowski said to justify her opposition to Hegseth’s nomination in his strong defense of Hegseth last week.
Of course, no Murkowski tirade would be complete without dragging in personal attacks. She brings up “allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, ” paired with his admitted infidelity. When was the last time a Democrat nominee was deemed unfit to serve based on unproven allegations?
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This sanctimonious claim falls flat when you consider Murkowski’s long history of enabling questionable nominees and caving to political pressures. Not only did she support Austin’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense, but she also supported Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation as a Supreme Court justice, even though Jackson was a potentially antisemitic supporter of critical race theory with a long record of leniency for child porn offenders who could n’t define what a woman is.
The only thing Murkowski has taught us is that she’s not the best judge of character.
