Conservative Senators Help Lisbet Get Confirmed For Defense Position

Thirteen CNS senators join with Nationalists to confirm nominee for deputy secretary

MAVOCKE, CEA--With the help of Conservatives, President Menuhaeo's nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense, Olivia Lisbet, was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday.

Thirteen Conservative senators crossed party lines to confirm Lisbet, who will serve under Defense Secretary Jack Hastings Jr. Many of Lisbet's Conservative supporters were "Sideliners," or moderate Conservatives who often bolt with the CNS party to side with the NAT. Among the sideliners were Sens. Victoria Albright (CEA), Dick Ammons (HVN), Ayden Benning (NWP), Chuck Danbury (ARA), Niles Gilcrest (VER), Robert Maclan (ARA), and Andre "Bourret" Magiscanti (HVN).

The remaining six CNS senators who voted for Lisbet are among those who rarely cross party lines. They included Sens. Greg Baxter (TRI), John BiGadi (LIA), Anna Corbev (MON), Denna Halitz (EDS), Seth Harkin (EDS), and Shannon McCann (KLN).

Senators Chuck Danbury and Anna Corbev were Lisbet's leading Conservative allies in the senate. During a speech on the senate floor, Danbury called Lisbet a "novel choice," and assured colleagues she "knows what she's doing." Corbev also stood up for the president's nominee, saying that while she personally disagrees with many of her political positions, [Lisbet] is "prepared to protect our country."

Critics of Ms. Lisbet, who at 31 years old, will be the youngest deputy secretary of defense and the first woman to hold that position, argued she is not experienced and lacks the knowledge a more senior military official would have.

"I'm not willing to put the safety and security of the Grassadellan people in the hands of a young woman that looks young enough to have just graduated from college," said Sen. Ruth Bennet (C-DES).

Sen. Kelsey Frascanio, a Conservative from Trinton, also slammed Lisbet for her inexperience.

"It's appalling to think this administration would nominate someone of Ms. Lisbet's experience level. We're talking the second-highest position in the Defense department. And we're giving it to someone who has very little experience? That's not okay with the Grassadellan people, and that's not okay with me," Frascanio said.

Senator Karen Coriano (N-CAR), came to Lisbet's defense in an interview with the GBC.

"There's this misconception in the Conservative party that the leaders of the Defense department have to be decorated war-hero generals, and that's just not the case. Olivia Lisbet has served several years working for the Defense department and various intelligence agencies, and no, she has not served in the military, but she can still hold down the job and do a good job," Coriano said.

Lisbet has worked for the Defense department since 2007. Before that she worked in the intelligence field. She has no official military service, but was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2006 by then-President Dan Byelle.

Despite objections about her qualifications and experience, Ms. Lisbet was confirmed by the senate by a vote of 55-35. Three Nationalists, Sens. Michael Kreighorn (BIE), James Owen-Wilson (REM), and Lincoln Pacinow (WEL), voted against her nomination.

President Menuhaeo said through a spokesman he is "delighted" to have Lisbet join the administration. Ms. Lisbet will appear at a press conference tomorrow morning with the president and Secretary Hastings.