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We'll know soon enough whether former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is President Obama's choice to lead the Pentagon, but it's clear that Senate Republicans intend to give him the Susan Rice treatment if his nomination reaches the chamber. For the GOP, their former colleague is a radical liberal who's anti-Israel and pro-Iran. John McCain said last week that Hagel isn't even a Republican by his standards.
But as Josh Rogin reminds us today, that's not what Hagel's former allies were saying four years ago (thanks to my colleague Vanessa Silverton-Peel for the heads-up).
That's quite a change from the sentiments McCain and his GOP Senate colleagues expressed about Hagel the last time his name was mentioned for high office, when he resigned from the Senate in 2008. At that time, presidential candidate McCain said he and Hagel were "close and dear friends" and that Hagel could have a place in a McCain administration.
"I'd be honored to have Chuck with me in any capacity," McCain told the New York Times in 2006. "He'd make a great secretary of state." [...]
McCain also said it was good that Obama chose to bring Hagel to Iraq, because even though the two Vietnam veterans had developed opposing views on the Iraq war, McCain said Hagel "has military experience (and) knowledge of these issues." He also said Hagel was a "respected leader in America" who "served his country admirably, with honor and distinction."
When Hagel departed the Senate in 2008, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised his "clear voice on foreign policy and national security" and his "stature as a leading voice in foreign affairs." Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) added that Hagel "understands the world better than almost anyone."
Remember, all of this came upon Hagel's retirement -- after he cast the Senate votes GOP members are now pretending to find offensive.
The larger dynamic is hard to miss: Republicans liked Hagel quite a bit, right up until Obama said he agreed with them.
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Why do we have to have a Republican as Secretary of Defense? Maybe we ought to have someone who is dedicated to PEACE to head up the Defense Department. Someone like Dennis Kucinich comes to mind.
I'd love to see what Kucinich could do as Secretary of the Treasury.
Chuck Hagel served in Vietnam and absolutely hates war because he lived it. He understands the true cost of war. When he was Nebraska's US Senator the Republicans here were constantly pissed at him because he wasn't a weapon-happy bloodthirsty right-wing-nut like them. He will make a great Secretary of Defense.
I could care less about the party affiliation of a man brave enough to say outright that he looks to American interests before Israels.
Really, could you care less? How much less? You should watch this.
Hagel's existence reminds the southern scum who masquerade as Republicans while pursuing their Confederate agenda what a real Republican looks like,
Why do I feel like the Senate Republicans aren't going to let a cabinet nomination fly unless it puts a seat into play?
Because you're smart.
Exactly. The GOP guideline for liking/disliking a nominee has nothing to do with what's best for the country, and everything to do with "will it give us an opportunity to get one of our guys into the House or Senate?" They don't like Susan Rice or Chuck Hagel for that reason, and they love John Kerry for that reason. Weasels.
To say the GOP is screwed up is the most natural thing in the world, hypocrisy just flows from their mouths, but especially from Mc Cain, in his case it is senility. Do they forget everything they have ever said is available forever?
Could be as simple as they don't have anything better to do...
I just read on the Daily Kos blog that a notice was sent down that the house will not reconvene until 2pm 12/31. Oh the drama!
How's THAT going to work? Boehner starts drinking at 3pm on normal days, so probably noon on New Year's Eve Day. Actually, maybe that explains the 2pm time.
Reading McCain's words makes me think of the last three clowns the GOP has offered up as their leading Presidential hopefuls: W, McCain, and the Lyin' Sack of Mitt. Just look at that. Incredible that one of the two major parties of the United States' can't put up better than the sub-mediocrity that that trio represents. Undeniably sad.