Republicans demonstrate their dedication to obstructionism by blocking confirmation of President Obama's choice for Secretary of Defense. Only two Republicans refuse to go along.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

You know I RARELY get the opportunity to say anything nice about Republicans these days. And it seems I NEVER get to say that nice thing about an Alaskan Republican.

But I have to say that I am damn proud of Senator Lisa Murkowski for refusing to bow under to pressure from her GOP colleagues and join them in this embarrassing partisan display of obstructionism.

I have said for awhile now that Murkowski is virtually bullet proof here in Alaska after soundly defeating the vaguely bearded one in 2010, and I am very pleased to see her using that knowledge to demonstrate her independence from an increasingly ridiculous political party.

Good on ya, Lisa.