Although, I think I could make some serious money on Intrade if they allowed US citizens to use that site betting against it.

I think it's worth getting a conversation going - be curious to hear if people think he will get confirmed or not.

Seems like decent fodder for a snowy day.

No Democrat has come out against him. He has 2 Republicans in his corner, John McCain has also said that he won't filibuster and:

Other Republicans also seemed wary of using the filibuster against Hagel, including Richard Burr, N.C., Susan Collins, Maine, Sen. Roy Blunt, Mo., Pat Roberts, R-Kan. and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

http://www.salon.com/2013/02/05/mccain_opposes_chuck_hagel_filibuster/

Something seems to be up there, no?

When Democrats start jumping ship I'll change my tune.

Trending downward often means something.

I don't know whether he'll be confirmed or not, but I'm sure that if he isn't, it will be a huge story in the media about how the President doesn't have a mandate and is already a helpless lame duck and how the tea party is ascendant.

The only contribution Tepublicans appear able to make in governing this country is OBSTRUCTION!
President Obama is an excellent chess player.

Is it possible that he nominates his second choice first. Lets the Teapublicans rant and rave. Then after they have once again made fools out of themselves, nominates his first choice second?

I know this sounds sneaky and underhanded and not presidential but you have to remember what Obama is dealing with.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/02/chuck-hagel-confirmation-vote/61867/

Hagel Will Be Confirmed Whenever the Senate Gets Around to Voting on Him


There's some number crunching down in the weeds....

I think that if the GOP stands in his way, it will go poorly for them. No one in Heartland America cares about his speaking fees or his comments about Israel--they just don't. What resonates with them is that:

a. He was an ENLISTED man--and these well-fed elitists are trying to keep the ENLISTED man down!

b. He's a Republican--so the Republicans who don't pay attention will see it as a pissing contest, and perhaps unfair, and the Democrats (the ones who aren't angry because POTUS nominated a Republican) will find their ire raised because "there's just no dealing with those assholes."

It's not a winner for them. They've got to be VERY worried about their Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex connections (and portfolios/bonuses/investment returns) to bump up against this--it has to be about their PERSONAL wealth, because it just makes them look bad when they try to wipe their asses on a war hero. They've got to weigh the pluses and minuses, because it's something that can come back to bite them--the opposition TV ad writes itself. They might find themselves challenged and booted if they push too hard.

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/02/08/will_hagel_withdraw_i_d_say_50_50

Edit to add: Hagel is pretty tough. He has made it so far through the process, under the most unprecedented attacks and scrutiny, and an unfriendly media pushing the "poor performance" narrative and ignoring the massive and bizarre Israel elephant present at his hearing. I doubt he'd give up unless the President asked him to, or his family was threatened, or some truly terrible dirt came to light.

McCain still hates his guts for voting against him in 2008, but will still allow a vote. Republickers know they won't get away with filibustering all of Obama's nominees this term so they are saving their filibusters for the ones that really matter to their masters. Richard Cordrey, for example. Cordrey will be filibustered. Hagel will be allowed and very narrowly approved.

But as for now, it is kind of foolish prediction.