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Barack Obama and Chuck Hagel in Jordan in 2008.
It's not yet official, but former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is believed to be President Obama's top choice to become the Secretary of Defense in a second term. One might expect most of the pushback to come from the left -- Democratic presidents, the argument goes, shouldn't keep nominating Republicans to head the Pentagon.
And yet, the loudest complaints about Obama possibly nominating a conservative Republican are coming from the right. Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Susan Collins, emboldened after smearing Susan Rice for no reason, have said he's been occasionally critical of Israel and insufficiently aggressive in his posture towards Iran. The Weekly Standard and the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal have taken related shots.
The Washington Post editorial board, which tends to be consistently conservative on foreign policy, also criticized Hagel today, in part because he supports cutting the Pentagon's budget, which he sees as "bloated."
In terms of substantive responses to the criticisms, I'd recommend recent pieces from John Judis and James Fallows, both of whom offer compelling defenses of Hagel's record. But the fact that these two prominent center-left voices have offered spirited arguments against Hagel's detractors reinforce a larger point: conservatives, whether they realize it or not, are rallying support for Obama's likely pick.
This happened quite a bit with Susan Rice. There were some pockets of progressive criticism for the U.N. Ambassador, which quickly faded when the right's smear campaign intensified -- the more Republicans tried to destroy her reputation, the more the left decided it loved Rice after all.
Don't be too surprised if we see a similar dynamic unfold with Hagel -- the more the usual suspects on the right, including the nation's leading neoconservatives, insist Hagel face opposition, the more conservatives help shore up Hagel's support among Democrats.
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I think the third in the unholy trio smearing Susan Rice was Kelly Ayotte, not Susan Rice.
Or Steve may have meant Susan Collins, who also raised "questions" about Susan Rice.
There preferred nominee would be another senator...preferably a sitting Democrat
Just reform the Senate rules already and tell Graham and McCain to go pour themselves a nice hot mug of STFU
Watching "West Start Johnny" - who wouldn't have had a military career to screw up as badly as he did had it not been for the accident of birth - try to smear a real military hero (i.e., someone who didn't kill 177 of his fellow sailors with a "joke" that demonstrated his ignorance and incompetence), who was smart enough to duck when the bullets were flying (rather than stupid enough to fly back over the target he'd just bombed, getting his incompetent butt shot down) - try to be anything other than the senile old incompetent he is, is almost funny if it wasn't so pathetic.
I'm sure the big three of worthless media stupidity - senile Bob Schieffer, incompetent David Gregory, and braindead Stuffitupoulos - will be eager to have him on their wastes of time this Sunday to continue blathering his boolsheet.
This is a remnant of the always anti-Obama all the time attitude of the Republicans. When a reporter spreads these questions to Republican Senators who are used to lying with complete impunity, they will attack anyone slightly left of John Bolton or Liz Cheney. Personal relationships, respect for ones peers, and professionalism are all out the window when a Republican Primary opponent is your biggest fear and priority.
Unbelievable the way the conservative crowd is so willing to eat its own!
Chuck Hagel has impeccable credentials to fill the office over there at defense, and yet, the rabid-in the-mouth-crowd doesn't seem to think so.
Why?
Simply because a Sec. of Defense Hagel has the authenticity to know, (and then to effect), what military cuts would be in our national security interest - lobbyists be damned! -Kevo
If the GOPnuts and teaheads keep it up, Chuckie will be the next to jump the conservative sinking ship and move over to the Dem side. LOL
Appoint John McCain as sec. def. and after his senate seat is gone fire him. It is a twofer.
Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that. . . .
Niiiiiice I likey
Oh and while he is at it he can fire Col Graham too...I think he is still a reserve officer
Yeah, that way he can screw up the Pentagon like he did every military assignment he got from the day he was appointed to Annapolis (other than working as a pimp with the congresscritters the Navy wanted to vote for their big boy toys).
While I watched Hagel when he was in Congress, I found that even when I didn't agree with him - I could still have respect for his opinions. Sens. McShame, Graham and Ayotte have rendered themselves unintelligible and useless! Both McShame & Graham are embittered, cantankerous and need to retire; Kelly Ayotte must believe that as one of the few GOTP women she must "follow the leaders", which also shows how little, mean-spirited and non-thinking she is! If for no other reason than to upset the reich - Hagel should be nominated, I'd like to see him spar with his own during confirmation hearings!
Hagel was my senator, and there isn't a republican out there that i like more. His wife and kids had an Obama sign in their yard, and his response to the storm that came after that was thoughtful, measured, and showed how petty the mainstream republican party has become.
i wanted Hagel as Sec of State, so Kerry could keep his senate seat, but Mr. Hagel has always been a class act in my book and will serve his country the way he always has: well.
I'm just happy Chuck Hagel will be an important part of this administration. I'd also offer that SODefense is EXACTLY where he needs to be.
Without question, the biggest and most wasteful entitlement program on the planet is the DOD, as anyone with a cheap computer and an afternoon to spare could find out for him or herself.
We're building 3 more supercarriers, at an (understated) estimate of over 5 billion each for the carriers alone - when arguably EACH of the 10 Nimitz Class supercarriers we already have in inventory are as powerful as all the rest of the world's carriers combined. China for instance, has exactly one operational carrier - a conventionally powered ex-Russian vessel based on a 1982 design.
Construction of these new carriers has virtually nothing to do with national defense and everything to do with feeding defense contractors. I could go on, but it just gets too depressing.
Chuck Hagel is an extremely smart and honest man who speaks his mind and doesn't care whose toes get stepped on. We need someone like him in Washington if we ever hope to change the culture in Washington and restore a little sanity to military spending.
Speaking of "Defense contractors" - it kinda throws that whole "free market capitalism" under the bus of "welfare for the corporate" doesn't it. I mean in a "free market" Lockheed Martin/McDonnell Douglas/et.al would compete in "the world" selling their wares - but NOOOOO, they just suck on the government teet right along with BIG OIL/PHARMA/AGRICULTURE.....So much for the talking points....
Is it even a surprise anymore? It's not who the nominee is, it's the person and party nominating that person that is the issue.
It's a shame the the corporate media is too blind, stupid, or gutless to tell the truth about it.
I might not agree with everything Hagel presents as his political views. But I can at least respect him for having some well thought out views. While I will say some of his views on Defense Spending and Israel are not far from mine. I really have no objections of him being the Sec of Defense.
The irony is neither does anyone else on the right. Because it's not Hagel's veiws on defense spending they have a problem with. And it's not that they think he wouldn't make a senible and resonable person to head the Department. They don't want him solely because of WHO wants to appoint him. The President could say he wants MaCain to be the Sec of Defense, and he would object. Stating that he didn't want to be a puppet or co-conspirator to this President and his policies. Heck the President could nominate Colin Powell and The Republican Party would object, saying he's only doing it, because they stick together.
The GOP reaction to Hagel demonstrates why the Administration shouldn't have blown it with Rice.
Sure, they couldn't have stopped her from withdrawing her name, but they really needed to be sure she was ready to fight if they were, before ever floating her name. We really can't let the GOP keep collecting scalps like this, especially on such specious grounds. If they can make Rice withdraw her name over nothing, at a time when the Administration has maximum public support, then the Administration's pretty much screwed with its nominees in general.
Right now Obama and Hagel need to huddle and decide whether they're in this for the distance, regardless of what s*** the wingnuts throw at them. Because they're gonna have to be.
Let me guess, McCain wants to be SecDef. Or he wants PBO to pick another Dem Senator, but from a state with a Republican Governor. This could be the new GOP strategy for retaking the Senate.
"Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Susan Rice, emboldened after smearing Susan Rice for no reason,"
I know Susan Rice wasn't smearing herself, perhaps you mean Ayotte
I favor Chuck Hagel for DefSec. I thought he might get the nod in 2008. He has a good record on FP, is a non-interventionist, and google his work to eliminate the use of landmines. I have no problem with him being nominated, and while I expect there to be grousing, he will be confirmed.
That said, I wonder if any Dems were on the short list, like maybe Jim Webb.
Can't we please appoint a damn Democrat to this particular cabinet post? It's one of the highest profile cabinet posts and the Dems have clearly and definitively retaken credibility on foreign policy and defense. We deserve to have a Democrat in that seat.
Sorry Mark - Much like Justice Marshall said on retiring when asked whether another African-American should replace him, he said "I would like to see the best Jurist be nominated" - I want to see the best nominated as "Secretary of Defense". He's also a veteran which means he understands the phrase "war is hell" better than say Rumsfeld so WE might not get dragged into another boondoggle! He's also not afraid to buck his own party because he cares more for country than party.
And NO, I've never met the man and I don't always agree with him so this endorsement is just me being a political nerd.....
Given the current state of the Republicans in Congress, and the Senate specifically, I wonder if President Obama nominated Mitt Romney for some position that required confirmation, if McGrumpy and Graham would complain about him?
Or how about McGrumpy complaining that Obama wanted to nominate Sarah Palin for Secretary of State?
Steve is right. President Obama emboldened McCain and friends by accepting (and encouraging) Susan Rice's decision to remove herself from consideration. Obama continues to give Republicans the benefit of the doubt and stubbornly refuses to learn that you have to stand up to bullies. It's frustrating.
You're right, CJ. We've seen this movie over and over. Obama throws his own people under the bus in an effort to mollify the cackling conservatives. It shows that he's "reasonable" and "bipartisan."
The only lesson they seem to learn is that complaining works. The longer and louder the tantrum they throw, the more likely they are to get their way. So they keep doing it, and he keeps rewarding it.
Can someone show me where Obama encouraged Susan Rice to remove herself from consideration for the position of Sec of State? I keep hearing this on the blogs, but have never seen it for myself.
They hate Hagel because he reminds them of what a "good Republican" used to be, before the wingnut southern scum were let in.
I can't think of anything but "two buck Chuck", I'm lost but still commenting..
The GOP going after Chuck Hagel is, as ever of the GOP, disgraceful!
A Secretary of Defense that wants to cut the DOD budget and doesn't drop to his knees for the 51st State?
good
On The McLaughlin Report Paul Glastris predicted Obama would be disinclined regarding naming Susan Rice as his preferred Secretary of State . Judging by the efforts to hold the Republicans , or the hinge less all you can bear party of no , to some nebulous line of "responsibility" for the fantastic charges that were being passed around as vanilla at a four alarum chile lunch the editor of the Washington Monthly had the goods . Mr Glastris had the investment the president made quite right , but not the asylum that released its denizens upon an unsuspecting public . The sternish stuff of American character which has been prepared for the introduction of common sense into any part of the high officials responsible for the august image the likes of serial rantaholics reliably produced from the right have pledged , to whatever joker currently holding the title of "serious" in the capital of laughingstock USA , may be disappointed for another generation , or two .
Well at least Sen Kerry is finally getting the respect one might be inclined to give to the man who made a presidential possibility out of a likely lifetime senator . Even if its a second choice . The enormous prestige of being an afterthought must make the example of Country First a daily reminder for the wealthy senior senator from Massachusetts , and perhaps an obtuse invitation to put policy above self respect .
Apparently this is the new GOP blocking mechanism. Let nominees die on the vine waiting 24-30 months for a vote...or attack before they are nominated and smear them.
Is there EVER going to be any retribution for these arrogant, snarky, selfish, so-and-sos?
Impotent to recreate the monarchies they pine for , an astonishing appearance of seventy virgins strikes the proper infinite chord .
White House petition:
Nominate Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense -- and fight for his nomination
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/nominate-chuck-hagel-secretary-defense-and-fight-his-nomination/P0ZtympX
I agree with the Wahington Post that Chuck Hagel would make a very bad choice for Secretary of Defense for many of the reasons stated and that Flournoy is a much better choice.
I would add that Chuck Hagel's comments are racist and condescending . Imagine anyone saying the NAACP or LA Raza intimidate many people.
Defense Secretary is a job that needs someone who is very strong yet diplomatic not a hothead.