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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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Ya know... If he can think before opening his mouth - he might just be what we need .... Remember defense is a mandate of the constitution ... I dont think welfare is ... keep priorities straight and one in the chamber we will be just fine.
What the hell does "welfare" have to do with anything??? Did I miss something in this article?
It wouldn't matter if President Obama selected George W. Bush for secretary of state and Dick Cheney as the defense secretary, there still would be disapproval from the right. It all comes down to the fact that he is a good and decent, intelligent black man, who has outsmarted the entire Republican party for 4 years and will continue to do so, for the next 4 years. If you watched anything but the National Enquirer called Fox News, you would know this. Good luck.
Anybody the Commander and Thief nominates should be under intense scrutiny.
Hmm, guess you're still kinda sore about that thrasing you Nazis took back in November, huh buddy???
Too damn bad, you're going to be cursing him for the next four years. And after that, can you say "President Hillary"??? The way you bums are trashing the country, you may not even be able to come up with a nominee.
Hey Greg,still pissed that "Romney" lost ? LOL
Thrashing???? You are kidding right? I'm more pissed about excessive spending, inflation and taxation than I am about who is Pres. You have to live with the results just as I do. Unless, of course, you are a couple of those with your hands out.
Spending ? Do NOT even go there, you want to talk about that ? Let's see, a war unpaid for, a HUGE tax cut for the wealthy NOT paid for, a medicare program unpaid for ! Who spent that money ? The sitting POTUS or the one that preceeded him ? FYI all of this "Deficit Spending" started with.........wait for it............Ronnie Regan ! So get off your high horse about the sitting Pres. spending more money. BTW Mr. Regan increased the Debt Ceiling 9 times in 8 years and there was NO war(s) on going in the middle east. Oh wait.........there was Iran Contra, but we won't go there.
Yes, So you are opposed to stopping excessive spending and taxation? Who gives a $hit about who started it, I want it to end. You live in the past....
NO, just stop placing ALL the blame one man. I am telling you the facts, like them or not. This is how we got here, and NO one on either side of isle can change it in 4 years. You should care who started it, I like you want it to end, but I do NOT vent my displeasure toward one man. There is pleanty of blame to around !!!
Calm down Yes, you seem to have your skivies in a wad. It just happens that the party came to an end on your guy's shift. He's already had four do nothing years so, why should we expect anything different in the next four? He's too expensive to keep, he and his followers.
It will get better, but it WILL take a long time and if the two sides of the isle do not start working together to get the business of the people done and NOT what is best for them getting back into office. Then perhaps we can go forward as a nation. Excuse me, I did not vote for Bush or Romney. Neither of them has the answer either. I vote for the person and NOT the party and no my "Knickers are not in a twist". It seems however your facts and arguement seem to be.
As a Liberal, I support Hagel. He's one of the few Republicans who actually served his country when guys like Dubya, Cheney and McConnell were dodging the draft during the Viet Nam years.
Most Righties sure are good at talking tough but most of the GOP in the Congress are Chicken Hawks.
Nope buddy, nice try though. Clinton has repeatedly admitted that he avoided military service. But more importantly smart guy, he didn't start unnecessary wars around the world and then SEND OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN TO GET THEIR ASSES SHOT OFF. Clinton was never a war monger like the gutless, spineless scumbags in your party. Anytime you'd like to compare notes on Democratic and Republican politicians who have served, you'd be astonished at the results. We just buried Senator Inouye last week, a Medal of Honor recipient who fought with the 442nd combat battalion, the most highly decorated unit in our military's history. And no, he wasn't a Righty.
Not a one of the Bush or Cheney kids has ever served a day. In WWII, 3 of 4 of FDR's kids served and one was wounded in combat.
No, but his lack of balls on foreign policy led to the rise of militant Islam and ultimately the deaths of 3000 Americans in NYC. His lack of leadership on foreign policy and his refusal to address Iran when it was in its infancy with nuclear weapons is leading to another war (get ready) that a strong GOP POTUS will have to fight. In WWII, everyone served moron, even professional HOF athletes, totally different circumstances where 10 million plus people were killed on both sides and we had to go and fight Obamas hero Hiltler before he Obamanized the world back then.
I don't see any reason why Fmr. Senator Hagel can't serve, however I for one happen to believe when you will be in a leadership role ( POTUS not included). One should look for a history of experience with in that field. Perhaps President Obama might want to interview of least place a retired four (4) star on his short list. Such as Gen. Wes Clark or Colin Powel or even Adm. Mike Mullen , any of which would be a choice that the senate would not appose with any zeal. Just throwing it out there, all of these men are WELL acquainted with the Pentagon and it's inner workings.
I'd rather have Paula Broadwell nominated. She knows everything thats going on and would be "ALL-IN" !
Come on OBAMA... How about Alen West?????? At least he knows what he's talking about with the Military!
Oh, and Chuck Hagel does not??? He's got the scars to prove it. Your boy West is a Nazi, yep, a Black Nazi. Never seen one before but there you have it. And West doesn't know crap about the military. He came within a hairs breath of being drummed out of the military for abusing prisoners. No surprise there, that's what I would expect. Too bad he's another nutcase far Right goon who bit the dust this November.
Allen West is a joke, no one should ever appoint him to do anything. I am glad he lost his re-election bid.
Allen West IS A SPAWN OF SATAN, LITERALLY.
Pigs all stick together in the same mud pit,,This criminal government nothing but pigs
Man, we sure do have a stupid POTUS.
Shawwn-1673478
Shawn sometimes silence is golden...........would you rather Mitt the Twit or Sarah Palin?
In DC, one pays the price for truth and candor. Play the game or suffer the consequences. Hagel has said some things that he has since apologized for- "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." He is a straight shooter which is a rare commodity today.
ABOUT THOSE WHO MAKE SO MUCH RACIST NOISE AGAINST OBAMA
WHEN YOU SEE evil, you wouldn't
recognize, judging by your track record. You saw no evil in Bush and Cheney who
tanked the economy and recklessly squandered the Clinton surplus. You saw no
evil in the racism and narrow vision that so many Republicans were spewing out
during the last Presidential campaigns. You saw no evil in the Southern
strategy that still reverberates in American politics in the form of
unadulterated hatred again Obama (for being Black), women, Blacks, Latinos,
Muslims, even young people. But I have since learned that Light is greater than
darkness and hopefully people like you will one day embrace Light and thus a
broader vision of society. You make yourself nasty and make so much noise; but
Obama got re-elected trice by more than 51% of the popular vote, a fit
accomplished only once in the last 57 years by Eisenhower. That gives me so
much hope about the continuing greatness of America! I drink to that!!!
Hey SAM, no argument here. These are the same clowns that stood by and supported Bush while he spent us into ruin and yet they never said a word. After finishing wrecking our economy and dragging us into unnedessary and UNFUNDED wars for a decade, these same Bozo's have found religion and are "Born Again" fiscal conservatives. Funny how I never even heard of the Tea Nuts until about 15 minutes after Obama was sworn in.
Your post is right on the money, well said and with fervor, I like that.
How is the Cool-Aid by the way. It's pretty hard to point at white America and claim racism when 95% of blacks voted for Obama. He isn't that good.
You two guys (Ozzie and Dr) must be holding hands in the food stamp line. Send me a thank you card for paying your bills. I'm rich anyway, I can afford it. Another 9-10% aint nothing to me, I will just lay off a couple of guys so I can buy me a new boat.
Nobody would buy it.
I, surely hope and pray President Obama nominate Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense.
Let us see a true, bi-partisan, 2013 test of the Senate............or, if they are back to their old tricks.
Yes, Obama needs another anti sematic in his camp anyway. His loyal Nazi's demand it as his hatred of the Jews and his support of Islam rises everyday.
Shawn,
Have you looked at his staff? There is nothing anti semantic about it.
Tejas, where's the proof the Pres. is not anti-semantic? That's "semitic". Comes from the ancient Semites. Any further education is up to you.
Israel has caused a lot of consternation to the US. Time to clip their wings abit. Rational Jews like Rabin get killed. Just like rational Americans like the Kennedys and MLK, ususally by some fringe element like the Likud party
Yhbua, you are kidding right? You don't have a clue about the value of Israel do you? The Muslim Brotherhood does, Hamas does, al-queda does. Why don't you?
I don't really care too much about Hagel one way or the other. But I do hate Obama, therefore if he's in favor of Hagel, by default, I must oppose Hagel. Did I mention that I really, really hate Obama?
We, all of us, have absolutely no idea of how Hagel will perform. Performance is measured on many levels and support and freedom to act are very important. You can't change things that don't want to be changed. As an HR professional I can attest to that. If companies or countries are resistent to change you're simply a file closer, one who works in a job with the ability to make meaningful decisions or to influence potential outcomes. If it's determined that Hagel has the credentials to do the job, then why not? On the other hand, we have to be vigilant to ensure that he's allowed to do the job he may be hired to do.
Nominate Jane Fonda...a true patriotic American and devoted to the defense of our freedom.
SEEKING SANITY...pull your head out of your ass ! Who made you the expert on what the tea party stands for? You and your dumocrap freedom hating regressives couldnt get a fact right if your life depended on it. Where do you get your info NBC and their doctored tapes?? How many tapes has fox news doctored to fit an agenda a-hole, how many ??? Im tired of pukes like you, your forward thinking its whats wrong with this country. Hows greece, spain france doing after all their forward, hate the rich and business thinking? Look up dixiecrat a-hole, How many republicans died to free the black slaves while the dumocraps fought to enslave them ? Who was the first president to segregate government buildings? It goes on and on ! Nice display of hate for the tea party that wants to save your ass from big government. How has big government worked out for the human race in all of history ? Why do you think there is a saying, a gov. big enough to give you everything can also take it away. Do some research in south american countries that went to socialism, see how that worked out douchebag ! You and your ill informed friends are the cancer that is killing this country, europe, spain, france anywhere its tried anytime in history but you just keep hating the rich, ya thats the problem. Gov. spends too much so lets just take more from the citizens, whos greedy now douchebag ????
Axlerod has the hair to say past statements are no reason to disqualify a person is the height of hypocrisy. The liberals spent the last 2 years smearing republicans for stuff they said in high school. Typical
Every single American who is concerned relating to the over-bearing, over-reaching, and un-warranted and un-wanted meddling by the Israelis, and it' paid lobbyists, in the political process here, needs to come out squarely in favor of Chuck Hagel, a man who is a self-proclaimed USA firster. We need to be conscious of the disastrous influences this lobby has exercised on US foreign policy, particularly since "911", and the corresponding wars in the middle east.
We need someone to oppose Bibi Netanyahoo and his quest to start a war against Iran, and having Hagel there as DEF SEC will send a strong message to the ISRAELIS that their pernicious influence in US policy is waning. Expect a firestorm of protest from the largely-controlled USA mass media.
A vote of Chuck Hagel is a vote against the extremists in Tel Aviv, and their minions here. USA USA USA.
Agreed!
Imam?
I don't see the part where Israel wants to start a war with Iran. Iran has repeatedly said they will wipe Israel off the map if they can. And Iran is getting very close to having a nuke which does not bode well for us either. Israel is the best friend we have in the middle east. At least they were before barry was coronated.
@ Halnmar, with "friends" like Israel, who needs enemies? Your worldview of what this entity does in the world is limited and incomplete, like many Americans.
Imam?
The President has such a refreshing attitude toward working with his fellow lawmakers whether Democrat or Republican...A cabinet should be made up of whoever is the best to do the job.
What kind of drugs are you on? Obama is the most partisan president in history.
If President Obama nominates the homophobic, anti-Israel and borderline anti-Semite Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, I will be very, very disappointed with the President. Not to even mention that he is an appeaser of Islamic terrorists. We have to fight tooth and nail to oppose Hagel if this happens; and we can defeat him. Both the left and right oppose him and we must make sure that the centrists understand that Chuck Hagel is unacceptable as Secretary of Defense.
I find it funny how all of the sudden Democrats just love Hagel the Republican because they know he'll be shot down. There's no honor in this man, I don't care about his Military record, he's another Kerry. The facts are he's a liberal and we don't want any liberals being the head of anything. We don't care if he's Republican, it's his political positions we disagree with.
Who's we?
Let the chicken hawks and draft evaders start the whining ritual. And yes, Clinton avoided the draft but made no bones about his desdain for the war in Viet Nam unlike the Gingrich, Cheney and Limbaughs of the right. And yes, Barack Obama did not serve, he was a boy at the time Nam was red hot.
And yes Hagel has two purple hearts and the respect of many Viet Nam era heroes. Lets move >>FORWARD!
and besides... Kenya was not at war with Vietnam anyway when Barack was growing up there, right Ahbua?
(What's wrong with Hagel?? I mean besides the fact that Oblumbles likes him??)
@yhbua and bob257213, Trolling are we, I suggest that you check your time frames here, Obama wasn't old enough to be drafted when the draft ended. I think he was around 15 at the time. I would put in something derogitory here but you got enough embarressment as it is.
Although I don't see to much thinking here but it is dumb for a Ambassador to be in the middle East and be Gay. Therefore any Gay Ambassador is limiting where we can send him to be effective. I don't care if an Ambassador is gay I'm just saying what I think.
6 dogs I have no problem with the President or Clinton not serving. As I said, he was a boy during the conflict, I just put it out there to save the neo-fascist GOP'ers from taking up space.
What is all the fuss. Hagel told the truth--the jewish lobby in washington intimidates everyone. Thats what they want and that is what is reality. The U.S. jumps to carry water for Israel every day in any way directed by them.
Oh please, enough with the Jews. If the Netanyahu lobby keeps on meddling in our affairs I'll support a Palestinian Embassy in Washington. ENOUGH ALREADY!
I'm absolutely sure of your support for a palestinian presence in d.c.Probably would back them if they claimed it as theirs.obama is still a boy.
Ok, the president stepped up to the plate and stated that Gays should be allowed in the military. Yet he nominates a person that has been extreme in his comments against gays? He steps up to the plate and takes a stand on gun control, but pushes it to the VP to come up with a plan, knowing that the VP does not have enough friend in Congress or the Senate to get ANYTHING passed. The President nominates a person for the Sec of State who has already been caught up in the Bengazi debacle, and public states he will "fight to the end" to get her confirmed, yet sits quietly by as she steps down. Has he really got a plan here, or is he just shooting scatter shot and hopes somethig will work.
So sorry for your loss in November. Now, move your ass out of the way and let progress take roots
Gee, cecil, do YOU have a lot of CORRECTIONS to make in your statement. How comical!!
Al Gore (MR,,,,"everyone gotta do their fair share; and global warming proponant), just sold his TV station to the Government of Qatar, guess what????? Make ALL their money from OIL!! "Way to go Al,,,,,,big critic of big oil, but have no probs taking their money!" Qatar also own Al Jazerra FYI
On top of that, he got the deal done before 12/31/12. when the next day, he'd have to pay higher taxes to the government (MR "everyone should do their fair share) - BS!!
Not to mention, that AL Jazerra & Qatar are islamic companies, that hate many things the democrats love! They hate Jews, They hate Gays, and have a "different" POV of womans rights.
Not a problem for Al though,,,,,,they got green money and that's all that matters!!!
Ya feel punked yet America????
Hey escargot brains, why didn't you buy it. If an Arab offers you $10,000 for a night with your wife, you'll throw in your daughter for an extra $500
i'm happy to see you have your eyes open on what these crumb politicians do every waking second,damn good thing gore was not elected cause he's the same azzhole who was deciding vote to tax social security in 90's,another turd,don't write and tell me i'm wrong,google it andyou'll see for yourself,johnson,carter,gore,all screwed up the ss fund.
yhbua you are a arrogant as Obama....there is a time to keep your comments to yourself..like 4 comments ago!
richcecil, he retired from Government in 2009 and is a collage professor since. Answer me this how does a collage professor have anything to do with Bengazi? Benghazi was in 2012. Stupid MF TROLL!!!
Mike, thank god Gore got the election stolen by the Supremes., They named the biggest piece of @!$%# as President since the beginning of the Republic. We all know the legacy, from 9/11 to Iraq, Market and real estate collapse and the introduction of torture as an official procedure of the intelligence agencies. Imagine what it would have been with Gore and his SS lock box in the White House?
you boa,please the lockbox has been empty since lyndon johnson "borrowed "it for your welfare payments.The housing collapse is a direct consequence of the glass/stegal act, the crowning achievement of slick willy.Look it up,even you should be able to find it.