McCain: Don't Filibuster Hagel

By MANU RAJU and DAVID ROGERS | 2/4/13 4:53 PM EST Updated: 2/4/13 6:13 PM EST

Sen. John McCain appears to have cleared the way Monday for Chuck Hagel to be the next secretary of defense.

The Arizona Republican, who has been a prominent voice in the debate over Hagel, said Monday he would oppose any attempt to filibuster the nomination, likely dooming any attempt by Senate conservatives to sustain a protracted procedural fight to delay Hagel’s confirmation.

“I do not believe that we should filibuster,” McCain told POLITICO. “To vote against is entirely the judgment of each individual senator, but a filibuster I think would be inappropriate.”

Asked if he would vote for cloture if a filibuster were mounted, McCain answered, “Yes.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/mccain-dont-filibuster-hagel-87159.html#ixzz2Jyda7yrT