Rand Paul Filibuster: McCain, Graham Criticize Fellow Republicans’ Actions

After a 13-hour ordeal on the Senate floor, widespread praise erupted for Kentucky Republican Rand Paul who filibustered the nomination of White House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan to the post of CIA Director. Paul, who openly admitted stalling the proceedings, said he could not go forward with any business involving the administration until they clarified their statement regarding domestic drone strikes. Following written correspondence, Paul said Attorney General Eric Holder would not clarify language saying the president would have the ability to carry out arbitrary drone strikes on anyone in America.

Paul was later joined in his verbal blockade by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) among others. While voices from both sides of the aisle praised Paul for standing up for his beliefs, political allies Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) did not applaud his actions in statements made Thursday afternoon on the Senate floor.

McCain, the former Republican presidential nominee in 2008, chided Paul for his behavior and accused him of trying to gain popularity points rather than headway in serious matters: "The country needs more senators who care about liberty, but if Mr. Paul wants to be taken seriously he needs to do more than pull political stunts that fire up impressionable libertarian kids in their college dorms. He needs to know what he's talking about!" McCain said.

Graham indicated he would now support Brennan because he believed the proceedings turned to a vote for or against the current drone program. He said he was not worried about his own popularity when criticizing the conservative Kentuckian, after being criticized himself for joining McCain for a dinner with President Obama: "If you want to elect me and for me to promise you I'll never talk to any Democrats or to the president about solving our problems, you're voting for the wrong guy!" he told the "Washington Times". Graham, representing the dark red Palmetto State, may be in danger of primary challenges from conservative members of his party such as former Governor Mark Sanford because of his tendencies to moderate at certain times.

The two senior senators derided some of the statements Paul made in his speech. McCain voiced his disapproval of Paul's reference to Jane Fonda possibly being assassinated for her pro-Vietcong actions during the Vietnam War under his conception of the administration's stance. Graham said he found Paul's entire query about the use of drones "offensive."

Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader and Nevada democrat, had very few words to say in criticizing Paul's filibuster, saying the republican must have a "strong bladder" to have stayed on the floor so long.