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Subscribe to RSSMultiple sources on Capitol Hill and in key special-interest groups involved in national security issues say they have been told to be prepared for a Chuck Hagel nomination for Defense Secretary, either as early as Monday or perhaps more likely Tuesday of next week.
Related: Former Sen. Chuck Hagel apologizes for gay comment
While it's still possible for the president to have a change of heart, all signs are pointing to a Hagel nomination.
When President Barack Obama returns to Washington this weekend, he will still have two big cabinet posts to fill and the current favorite for Secretary of Defense – Chuck Hagel – is taking heat on a range of issues. Obama 2012 traveling press secretary Jen Pskai and former RNC Chairman Michael Steele discuss.
That said, a White House spokesperson tells NBC News pretty emphatically that the president has not made a final decision and does not expect the president to make a final decision until he gets back from Hawaii.
The White House spokesperson adds, the "chatter" about Hagel-as-the-pick in the national-security and Capitol Hill communities is "premature." That said this spokesperson acknowledged Hagel is a "leading contender."
For what it's worth, the reason a lot of outside sources are being given a heads up on Hagel is that the White House knows if Hagel is indeed the president's choice, it's going to be a real fight.
President Obama responds to criticism of Chuck Hagel as a potential replacement for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Hagel's 2008 statement that "the Jewish lobby" intimidates many lawmakers has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, and some have painted him as weak on defense issues. Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, a top-ranking Jewish senator, passed on the opportunity to offer an endorsement for Hagel during an appearance on Meet the Press, while Republican Sen. John Cornyn called his positions on Iran and nuclear weapons "unacceptable."
Hagel also recently apologized for his 1998 opposition to an ambassadorial nominee whom he described as "openly, aggressively gay."
There are as many as 10 Democratic senators who could vote no, Capitol Hill sources say. But Hagel has some big backers besides the president who would become the key point people in getting Hagel over the finish line – Vice President Joe Biden and Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, both of whom are huge proponents of Hagel.
Asked on MSNBC’s Morning Joe about the opposition to Hagel, Obama political adviser David Axelrod defended the former Republican Nebraska senator.
“It speaks to the larger problem that we’re talking about, which is, we have to get the point, where, first of all, independence is admired and not discouraged, and we can disagree on some things and still work together on others,” Axelrod said. “And the notion that we demonize people because of a position that they’ve taken and disqualify them on that basis is what’s destroying the ability to get things done in this town.”
Dave Kaup / Reuters
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) leaves a news conference in Omaha, Nebraska in this March 12, 2007, file photo.
Bottom line: It appears to be Hagel, but the White House says no final decision has been made.
News of the expected nomination was first reported by Foreign Policy magazine's The Cable blog.
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If Obama nominated Ronald Reagan, the GOP/TP hating lunatic crowd would oppose it.
That's the way they have been operating since Obama was elected the first time.
Real patriots.
Some of you need to read this article again. As bad as my memory is, I do believe I read that as many as 10 Democratic Senators could vote "No" on his nomination. That by my math, is about 1/5th of the Democratic Senators, and all you can muster in your posting is a bashing of the Republicans. You just gotta love the hate that is flowing in the postings.
Rasputin, last year Jeb Bush stated that if Ronald Regan were to run for much of anything today, that with the republican party moving so far to the right that he would lose.
Heck David, I'd wager even Bush II would have a tough time of it.
That's cuz Obama is a post turtle.
You just can't stop with the insults can you Greg.
Not when it comes to progressives (Liberals). You buttnuggets can sure dish it out, but when it goes the other way you can't take it. Hey, be happy, BHO won another four years.
Well...Hagel's nomination would certainly fit into Barak Hussein Obama's apparent intention of throwing Israel to the wolves.....
It's Barack, not Barak. And, like you really give a @!$%# about Israel. You guys are so far off base when you talk about president Obama and Israel. Too funny. In my opinion, I am sick and tired of Israel picking fights with any country and expecting that the U.S. will be there to always back them up. That is just abuse in my book.
I like Barry. And you don't have a clue about Israel.
Total BS! Obama is appointing him because he knows that he will fail, due to Obama's foreign policy, and Obama will hold it against the republicans to assure that Hillary Clinton becomes the next president. Just another Obama lie!
You've GOT to be kidding... LOL!!!
You teapublican goobers have really rounded the bend these last few years....
Amusingly...
Such wisdom. A non combatant I betcha.
Wow! Now there's some logic worthy of the Tea Party!
Hagel will pull an Obama, I was against gays but now Im for them, I have seen the light, too funny.
can you tea nuts believe this...did Bush ever hire one Democrat ??????
If you are walking down a street, and you hear a "bang" come from a dark alley, and then you notice a bunch of cop cars driving up, and some guy runs up to you and says "Hey buddy, want a free gun?", you would have to be kind of stupid to say "Sure, if its free". This guy should just turn and walk away from this stinky offer.
he gets a free virgin phone and an ipod remember??
snap crackle and pop..lets see you tea nuts do any of the 3.....hahahah..with this??
I think Elvis has left the building.
Obama has already started his acting job faking support for the dude... I think he has done the same many times before watching people roast. "Gosh, gee, I just didn't know..."
no lets see the real ponyshow..coming ..to a theater soon staring the tea party..as them self
Chuck is OK., now if we can get John Kerry NOT as Sect of State and get a Repbulican man in that will help us to get into BHO realm and tell him NO on everyting.
that would be like watching a barney show..I love you you hate me we are a happy family with a great big hug and a @!$%# for brains to you ..sing along
Hmmm...Hagel seems to be a guy who was a Vietnam hero and parlayed that into a career as basically a conservative lobbyist and politician (plus some business experience), from the conservative state of Nebaska.
Kerry did basically the same thing, but parlayed his Vietnam experience into a political career, from the liberal state of Massachusetts, via an early denouncement of the war.
I understand that Hagel also came to believe Vietnam was a tragic mistake...but he kept his medals.
He's apoligized for his remark about gays. He needs to make amends with the Israel lobby, on some earlier remarks on Palestine...and he should be good to go.
Not sure, but if nominated and confirmed, he might be the first ex-enlisted man to head Defense. Probably a good choice; a moderate Republican and a fiscal hawk.
I'm happy to see Hagel considered for this and at the same time I'm a bit leery of President Obama.
Unrelated to this particular article, but related to a bit of the discussion above: Could one of you Liberals who's always spouting off about how "right-wing-extreme" the Republican party is illustrate briefly a few examples of the contrasting steadfastness of the Democratic party? Perhaps you could begin your party's founding of the Klu Klux Klan and conclude with your party's nomination of a black presidential candidate...? Or maybe you could explain why those among you keep turning up in the news, armed with AR-15s, perpetrating mass killings followed by suicide?
Whew! Good thing the Man was re elected. Othe wise the repubs and the dems would be in the same boat. The big boys would get your tax money again and you would probably be paying several thousand dollars per month for health care. Your kids would be paying the big banks for their college money plus interest, school lunchs for the poor would be sliced and diced and finally the only people with jobs and money would be the reps and the markets in exploting the derivitives at the speed of light with their huge computers (I guess they are doing that now). But for me, I do love the American landscape but have some trouble with the repubs. So, I have two homes in Thailand. If things get too bad here for you, I will sell you one. A condo in khon Kaen, central Thailand a beautiful place and cheap living. CC sends. Relax, things will get better now that O has the bill passed by the Democrats and the republicans (Congress!)
Several subjects discussed in my post but I think you can get my drift.
So much wisdom. I think if Hagel had been in place instead of the bush boys, we would not have over 6,000 warriors killed or as many or more with their lives w/out their limbs, etc. And we would have more money in the bank, I think. So my warrior friend, fight the good fight and help to bring our boys home and shut down some of our units in Europe and else where. CC, Retired SMSgt! Also, bring back the draft so that those who want war will put on the uniform and pack that AR and M1 and that 50 cal and see if you can kick some a##.
Wait! "Bring back thee draft so that those who want war will blah blah blah." What an idiot, do your homework.
the devil wants that job for republicans only for life ... huh tea nuts
the reason he wants to hire him..so he can blame Benghazi on him... duhhh huh tea nuts
Hagel = RINO
He supported Obama twice for President. Sure doesn't sound like a moderate Republican.
Colin Powell would make a good RINO Secretary of Defense.
Yes Colin would as will Hagel. I have followed his career since 1969 (SE Asia) A warrior to the core and a hell of an honorable man. A few gaffs maybe but I've had a few of those myself. But I don't matter much but our country does. I've been there.
All I can say is this would be an excellent choice. Chuck Hagel is flush with effective leadership.....a quality that is not seen much these days in Washington DC. Maybe some of his effectiveness will rub off on others.
All of you are as blind as a bat on Hagel, he is as progressive as Obama, why the hell do you think he's been chosen?
Hagel's description of his new mentor;obama is an" aggessive"socialist with muslim tendencies,my kind of man.I've even paid for the bath house myself,hope the "interview" goes well.
Uh....because of his leadership abilities? Do you know somebody with better credentials?
president obama and his muslim buddy hagel. the last straw in a stage that is setting the middle east up for all out war, The dumocrats as a whole are so stupid and are totaly blind as to this idiots agenda. they blame bush for a war that the alkeida started on 911, yet we are still there under obama. so i dont want to hear any more about bushes war, it is now obamas continuation of a war that he chooses to continue, yet going on 5 years now. it is obamas war now. obama also has us in afghanistan by his choice, hillary clinton is a liar that is now a criminal in my book for not answering to congress about bengazi, her fake blood clot holds no water in my book. it was a lie to bail her lying ass out of testifiying. you dumocrats can and have now voted in a raise for congress and higher taxes on every american in the united states of america, what are you going to do when your unemployment checks stop comming in the next year. who will you cry to. you can claim to be americans and democratic all you want really all you dumocrats are is a bunch of unemployment, welfare collecting walmart shoppers that are truly worried that your benefits will stop comming if obama were not your president. yes that day is comming, get ready to be broke again as far as hagle goes this moron is nothing other than a two bit liar simply because when a dumocrat mouth is open and sound is emiting from the hole in your heads, as proven time and time again, it is none other than an all out lie to cover up some under the table crime. dumocrat to me means law breaking liar that needs to be behind bars. now if you dumocrats are proud to be associated with that group in society. my hat is off to you. I will stay on the law obiding side of humanity. I will never support lazyness, you dumocrats are sure proud to be lazy fat fools.
So RL, you think Obama should have ignored the advice of his field commanders and just ordered all the troops home his first day in office?
so mikey do you think it should take 5 years, maybee 10 when do you stop lying and blaming bush maybee anoter 10 years, shut up idiot and get real.
Who is blaming Bush? Has Obama lengthened or shortened the draw down of troops? Do circumstances at the time dictate when it is prudent to withdraw or is a deadline set in stone with no changes permitted no matter what happens? What was your point about troops still being there at the start of Obama's second term?
AFAIK, the withdrawal is proceeding as planned in conjunction with the military commanders in the area who are best equipped to advise the President on the matter. If the President truely thought it was in the best interests of the country to do a speedier withdrawal, I'm sure he would have done so. Even so, deployed troops are diminishing and operational costs are decreasing. Both are good for the country.
I think the jury is still out on whether the short term or long term outcome was worth going into there to begin with.
Exactly what would you have done in his position and why?
I don't know much about Chuck Hagel. There is nothing on MSN's website about the debacle of a bill that was passed to avoid the fiscal cliff. Obama is just a plain liar. DemocRATS are happy only if they can take more money from the American(middle class) too......the payroll tax(not that Federal tax is enough) expired and the WORKING middle class saw or will see their paycheck will be SMALLER immediately starting this January.
No wonder Hollywood loves the DemocRATS!! Included in the fiscal crisis bill was: TV and film producers GET TO WRITE OFF $15 MILLION in production costs inside the US. (loop hole) Just think how many productions that are made in other countries that they do not have to claim! This is worth $248 million over 10yrs.
Increased tax rebates were given to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands from a tax on rum . Tax break is worth $222 million over 10 yrs.
OBAMA will finally own this sluggish economy. He won't be able to blame Bush NO MORE!! I find it a bit wierd that Bush was blamed for everything during his years in office even tho' it was the Congress who made the laws. But the little man child,Obama, has constantly blamed the Congress for everything. How come you liberals won't blame Obama for this mess with economy and foreign affairs????Poor sheltered little man!
Chuck Hagel is one of the few American politicians to confront the reality of that tail that wags the dog, namely, the Jewish lobby. For this he should be congratulated not pilloried. Virtually all of America's difficulties in the Middle East with Arab nations most likely would never have materialized had we chosen to support the indigenous peoples of the region instead of superimposing on them a Hebrew culture imported from Europe and America.
Archie Bunker... Is that you?
A very smart move by Pres. Obama-excellent choice. If we had more Chuck Hagels who have been to war, we would not be in bankrupcy and many of our fine men would still be alive.
Only if Hagel had been in a position to determine whether we went to war or not. SecDef does not have that power although he can and does advise the President and both the advisability of a war and whether the military can execute or not and what it would take to achieve the Presidents goals in prosecuting a war.
watch more spy show about establishing a cover to infiltrate, and another trojan condom, in another puppet regime further to the right then Bush... colonists got really hoodwinked.
Counter culture only heroes of 60s & 70s, but government invented a bunch out of Vietnam and paid them huge.
I will not matter who is appointed. Obama has already started to tear apart the military and the DOD. For years he has been handing pink slips to dedicated soldiers and sailors sending them to the unemployment line (no severance package). All this so he can endorse a socialist agenda that we can not pay for.
If we cannot pay for the "socialist" agenda, how can we pay for the bloated and corrupted budget of the DOD? Toys that are not used, planes we don't need, bases arouund the world to promote what? "Democracy"?
You need a serious education. Or maybe just a basic one.
How is firing good men and women going to help the economy. It will not. Clinton tried it in his first term and realized it was a mistake so he reversed that decision. It is true that the government spends out of control across the board. We need to keep spending within the limits of revenue and pay off the debt. It is not that much different than running a household.