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Subscribe to RSSFormer Nebraska lawmaker, Chuck Hagel, is reportedly in line to be nominated for U.S. secretary of defense. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
Senators on Sunday indicated a tough confirmation fight for former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's reported pick to be the next Secretary of Defense.
On NBC's "Meet the Press," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Republicans in the upper chamber would treat Hagel "fairly" but that his past statements on Israel and Iran will be subject to tough scrutiny.
"I think he'll be subjected to the same kind of oversight hearings that any nominee for such an important position would expect," McConnell said. "And his views with regard to Israel, for example, and Iran and all the other positions that he's taken over the years will be very much a matter of discussion in the confirmation process."
Sen. Angus King, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, previews the upcoming nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel to become secretary of state.
"I think there will be a lot of tough questions for Sen. Hagel, but he will be treated fairly by Republicans in the Senate," he added.
That statement fell short of McConnell's past praise for his fellow Republican, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in the Senate for three terms. When Hagel left the Senate, McConnell called him "a clear voice on foreign policy and national security."
During a pre-taped appearance on ABC's "This Week," McConnell appeared to back off that view, saying only that Hagel has been "outspoken" on foreign policy issues. "The question we will be answering if he's the nominee is 'do his views make sense for that particular job?'" he said.
Hagel has earned foes on both sides of the aisle for past statements about Israel -- notably his comment about how the "Jewish lobby" tries to influence lawmakers in D.C. -- as well as for his calls for direct negotiations with Palestinian group Hamas. He has also voted against some Iran sanctions and was heavily critical of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell discusses the goals his party is aiming toward in the upcoming Congress.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called the reported pick an "in your face nomination" by the president, while new Sen. Ted Cruz blasted Obama for ignoring bipartisan criticism of his reported pick for the Pentagon job.
"This is a president who has drunk the tea," Cruz said on Fox News Sunday "He's high on re-election right now."
Cruz said that he is "concerned" about Hagel's past statements.
Newly-elected independent Sen. Angus King of Maine said on "Meet the Press" that he would "reserve judgement" until the confirmation process begins, saying he believes generally that the president should be given considerable leeway to fill his cabinet as he sees fit.
"But I'm going to want to ask some serious questions and hear from Senator Hagel about the issues," he added. "He's a guy with a distinguished record and I'm going to listen to the answers."
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a freshman Democrat from North Dakota, said that the looming fight over the expected nomination merely highlights the Washington gridlock disliked by the American public.
"Chuck Hagel is a tremendous patriot and statesman," she said on ABC. "He hasn't had a chance to speak for himself, so why all the prejudging? I don't know."
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Well, we can see the Republicans haven't changed their spots.
No matter what Obama tries to do they will vote against it.
Hagel is a Republican and they are against him nominating one of THEIR OWN.
New Year - same old ways with the Republicans stubbornly blocking and arrogantly faulting everything to keep government gridlocked and just pursue they philosophy of "My way or no way!" as they could care less about anything other than their political ambitions and for serving their masters and strong supporters, "the money". Disgusting, irresponsible and even criminal.
and you think this bullsheiss piec of a obama doesnt do the samr?? he needs to leARN TO compromise HE AINT NO FREAKING KING HE IS ACTUALLY LOWEWR THAN SNAIL SLIME FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THIS COUNTRY
gw-594034 or whatever, you need to learn how to spell and use proper grammar, before you begin curing the problems with the White House.
gw,
If you think nominating a conservative republican is not compromising, then what would you consider compromising? Letting Boehner and McConnell do the nominating, therefore, the republicans are really running the country? Your post referenced a "king"....I don't know where you think that came about, but, we had a fee, legal election in November, and President Obama won the popular vote and the electoral college...so he was duly elected by the free voting American public. Start thinking for yourself and get some education.
President Obama could nominate Jesus himself and the repupublicant's would say he's too Liberal!
I'm so sick of the GOP and their obstructionist agenda! Grow up GOP, welcome yourself into the new year and actually start working for the whole country, and not your hateful radical base!
works two ways buddy boy we are so sick of this crap he tries to shove down Americas throat you need to get a clue we are free thinking Americans not MINDLESS FREAKS LIKE YOU KOOL AID DRINKING SOCIALISTIC DEMOCRATS SO GET OVER IT ALLREADY
gw-4950956, or whatever, you name call very well, unfortunately your diatribe demonstrates you're a mindless fanatic, so you get over it already. FYI - already is with one "L", stupid.
Spoken like a true hater.
More smoke and mirrors ! To avoid the trivial matters like a Budget, Benghazi, Fast and the Furious, and lets not forget Focusing like a laser on job creation ? LMFAO
You're absolutely right.
Obama is nominating Hagel for Secretary of Defense just to avoid those issues.
sigh
I don't know i mean normally not my kinda thinking but for the job he will be doing does it matter who he likes or not. I mean his job is gonna be ready to fight anyone friend or foe that he is needed to.
Im just curious about american politics, In my country once the president is elected he chooses his own cabinet. Is secretary of defence not part of the cabinet or does he work independently of the president and what other posts are not chosen by the president but by senators.
Why are the Repubs in charge even when they are not in charge they just need to shut and pick there battles instead of fighting every issue.
When will America admit that a mistake was made several decades ago when we decided to rename the War Department the Department of Defense?
The TEA party won't be satisfied until they destroy the republican party completely.
It looks like the Tea Party is getting a lot of help from main street republicans as well.
Either its blackmail or bribery or something the TEA party has on republicans.
What the Teabaggers have is their teeth firmly clenching mainstream republicans' testicles.
Did Hagel actually say that the Israeli lobby influences Congress? Gosh! We finally have a politician who tells the truth.
Sadly we don't have one in the White House.
Oh, no ! Another excuse for another six month road trip for the Butcher of Benghazi. Time to fire up the jet for some more campaigning ! Can't hardly wait ? LMFAO
Obstructionist asses. He's going to be confirmed, so why the farting around?
Looks like old SHEISTY BED HEAD is at it again. Trying to change the subject and start her Republican bashing. I would just really like to hear her address, Barry Obummer's nomination of a righty Rebublican to be our country's defense chief? I am sure behind closed doors she is crying and bawling at the thought of her lefty President nominating a guy who makes her skin crawl... What's up SHEISTY?? You going to just try to turn the conversation to bash other Republican's? Or are you going to finally admit that your lefty leaning handouts are good for America democratic party, is too soft to handle our country's defense? Oh let me guess you have no defense of your hero's nomination! What about it SHESTY BED HEAD lets get back to the real conversation!
Hey, dumbkopf - focus on the issue, not other posters. Get a freakin' life.
Of course the Republicans are going to be bitches about Hagel.
It really just a lot of displaced hostility that they need to vent on somebody.
By now it doesn't even matter of they are Democrats or Republicans.
They are shooting for the Ultimate Bitch title. Legislation? Planning? Between arguing mindlessly on behalf of their masters and taking breaks, no time!
Just a year ago wasn't Hagel being touted by virtually every leading republican as a great guy? Republican politicians have become such huge hypocrites, I'm surprised any of them have the nerve to go out in public. What a shame.
Def: Anti-semite (N): anyone who doesn't agree with Netanyahu and the far right Likud party of Israel.
It is about time for you to get out your prayer rug and bow to Mecca isn't it ? I will back Israel before backing those Dune Coon's. Who pray to that child molesting profit Mohammed ! LMFAO
In July 2007, Hagel was one of three Republican Senators who supported Democratic-proposed legislation requiring a troop withdrawal from Iraq to begin within 120 days.
Let's show the same determination to bring the troops home from A'stan, NOW.
Republican Non-Leadership is starting to upset republicans and we do have the power to remove anyone from office. Israel and Iran are big boy's and they can take care of themselves. Enough of this Mickey Mouse BS. Focus on bringing America back and getting peopel back to work.
Never mind Cruz - he's a teabagger idiot we here in Texas elected because Rick Perry just wasn't embarrassing enough.
I believe Republicans would oppose the sale of Girls Scout Cookies if they thought the Democrats were for it.
Israel has already got all the muslims nations that wants to destroy them, now with Hagel as sect. of defense he will do everything in his power to do the same.
Everyone in this country who cares about it should save every nickle and dime they can and send it to Ashley Judd in 2014 in her attempt to unseat the biggest obstructionist Republican imperialist racist POS the Senate has ever had for a Minority leader .... Mitch McConnell.
Let's see... he hates gays. He hates Jews.
Defends Hamas. Defends Hezbollah. Defends Iran.
I can see why Hagel would be Obama's choice...
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.
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The only question is; why on earth would any American support him?!
Chuck Hagel is what Jeremiah Wright and David Duke's son would look like, if they could have a child together...
A better one would be.... What would Michelle Bachman and Ron Paul's child look and act like?
Now that is scary!!
NO IRS, NO MILITARY, NO GOVERNMENT, NO TAXES !!! That's Utopia folks to knuckleheads like these...
And then we could all sit in a big circle and "Pray the Gay" out of queers.
The only Americans who support Obama fall into one of two categories: Those who have no intention of ever working or adding anything positive to society who he paid off to vote for him and limousine liberals who earn their living taking money from real Americans and giving it to Obama supporters.
We have a GROUNDHOGS DAY government that stagnates the growth of this country
Yes but look at the great expansion of the government and regulation.
The Repubs would fight if Sister Teresa (may she rest in peace) were nominated. They have been reduced to knee-jerkers. Wait until 2014.
I'd fight if a half-wit nun were nominated to public position.
I am sure if Hagel actively supports the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran he will effectively carry out Obamas policies.
Common Man: Do you actually believe what you say or do you just like to contrary?
POGO, Common Man's dead right. Don't you think? Who supported the Arab Spring diplomatically and tactically and financially and brought in one after another Islamic government? OBAMA.