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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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I'm not sure how I feel about Hagel being Secretary of Defense, but I don't necessarily have a problem with someone who thinks the interests of the US are more important than what Israel wants.
You actually favor someone who supports radical muslims who hate the west, just because the buffoon in the White House nominated him? Robot or puppet you choose.
It is so like the Republicans to stand together against confirming one of their own so they can try to make Obama look bad.
This is all the American people ever get from the Republicans in Washington, more gridlock and waste of tax dollars.
Obama doesn't need any help looking bad.
500 million to Solyndra, now there is a real waste of tax dollars. Why aren't you complaining about that?
Because at least it was an attempt to help an emerging energy industry which we need - as opposed to a couple of billion in tax breaks to NASCAR which is well established, is purely entertainment, and which makes plenty of money already. Now Obama signing off on that makes me mad.
If you want to complain about Solyndra, complain to the GOP who wrote our "free trade" laws.
Solyndra had a good product. Their solar panels were more expensive to buy, but were cheaper to install and were more efficient and longer lasting than their Chinese competition. So the Chinese government flooded the market and caused the prices to crash, which put Solyndra out of business. Now solar panels cost 1/3rd more than they did before. Don't you just love "free trade"?
"In your face" nomination? "He's high on re-election right now"?? Obama is appointing a REPUBLICAN but the party of no is signalling "a tough fight" Explain to me again why ANYONE takes the republican party seriously anymore?
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How Will Victims of Hezbollah React to a Hagel Nomination?
By Eliana Johnson
December 20, 2012 6:06 P.M.
The opposition to the rumored nomination of former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel is reaching fever pitch. Reports today indicate it may extend to the gay rights and Cuban-American communities. If the battles rages on, there is another group that may emerge to oppose him, too.
Lynn Smith Derbyshire is the national spokeswoman for Beirut Families, a group of Americans who lost loved ones in Hezbollah’s 1983 attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut; her brother, a Marine helicopter pilot, was one of those murdered in the bombing. Derbyshire tells National Review Online, “It’s very disappointing to me that Senator Hagel has a record of not recognizing the threat of terrorism in the way he’s voted in the Senate.”
Hagel was one of twelve senators who refused to sign a 2006 letter calling on the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization; the letter argued that doing so would “have important symbolic value” and “further cut off funding sources and assets that are used to support Hezbollah’s ongoing terrorist acts.” Beirut Families has not decided whether it will take an official position on Hagel’s nomination, if it occurs, but Derbyshire says, “I am really concerned that if he becomes secretary of defense, we are going to go in the wrong direction.”
Jooripgwarhhee, Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 led by general Sharon and killed thousands of helpless women and children. Hezbollah was created and said Israel will never do that again. Look at both sides for once. Americans should not be afraid to say mistakes have been made in the past and to never let them happen again. Sharon went on to be prime minister of Israel after his terrorist act and the US backed this murderer. Is their a group to stand up for these poor women and children who were slaughtered? People please read "If Americans Only Knew" to know how bad Israel is. Don't let Israel pick our politicians.
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How Will Victims of Hezbollah React to a Hagel Nomination?
By Eliana Johnson
December 20, 2012 6:06 P.M. Comments4
Print Text
The opposition to the rumored nomination of former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel is reaching fever pitch. Reports today indicate it may extend to the gay rights and Cuban-American communities. If the battles rages on, there is another group that may emerge to oppose him, too.
Lynn Smith Derbyshire is the national spokeswoman for Beirut Families, a group of Americans who lost loved ones in Hezbollah’s 1983 attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut; her brother, a Marine helicopter pilot, was one of those murdered in the bombing. Derbyshire tells National Review Online, “It’s very disappointing to me that Senator Hagel has a record of not recognizing the threat of terrorism in the way he’s voted in the Senate.”
Hagel was one of twelve senators who refused to sign a 2006 letter calling on the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization; the letter argued that doing so would “have important symbolic value” and “further cut off funding sources and assets that are used to support Hezbollah’s ongoing terrorist acts.” Beirut Families has not decided whether it will take an official position on Hagel’s nomination, if it occurs, but Derbyshire says, “I am really concerned that if he becomes secretary of defense, we are going to go in the wrong direction.”
You teabagger racist birthers can't stand that President Obama has been reelected despite your efforts and those of your leaders (including the conservative entertainment complex) to destroy him and his Presidency. As President, he has the right to nominate anyone he so desires. Chuch Hagel is the perfect choice as he is an expert on defense matters; and will not give Israel a "blank check" and place the US in totally unnecessary warfare.. Also, as a conservative Republican, he has always supprted the President and therefore won't put up with any of the teabirther racist crap.
EarlyOut-1524710: Our embassy in Iraq cost over $1 Billion to build. The Iraq Abortion bankrupted our country. Guess who is the biggest trading partner with Iraq? Iran!
There are bridges across the swamp on the border that we built that are groaning under the loads of trucks running back and forth carrying trade goods. Those are the swamps where CIA asset Saddam used American supplied WMD to kill thousands. What is the true cost of the republicon Iraq Abortion?
Just proves where the GOPs primary allegiance to, and it's not the people of THIS country. When they can not accept one of their own to to put America first, their motives are clearly nor in our best interests.
They'll fight him because he publicly endorsed a Democrat for his old Senate seat. No other reason. By the way, he'll be Hilary's running mate if she runs. Count on it. They were close in the Senate.
Neoconservatism is a branch of American conservatism that includes endorsement of political individualism, free markets and the assertive promotion of democracy and United States national interest in international affairs including by military means.
The Tea Party movement is an American political movement that advocates strict adherence to the United States Constitution, reducing U.S. government spending and taxes, and reduction of the U.S. national debt and federal budget deficit.
What a farce. The GOP senators are pandering to the jewish lobby--have to send a signal to never ,ever say anythig to upset Israel!!! The republicans are so ingrained to be against Obama on everything they can't even get in line to confirm another republican.
The Republicans are going to see their party as obsolete if they keep up this blockage to any and every thing that Obama asks for. There's no reason for McConnell to make a U-Turn on Hagel except to be obstinate. ,They've already made it apparent that they don't give a s**t about the populace. Just ask the Sandy Hurricane victims.
They will lose,as they have all along
"This is a president who has drunk the tea," Cruz said
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As opposed to Cruz who has chugged the Tea Party Kool Aid!
Whatever!
The Repubs are so predictable. They all LOVED Chuck Hagel until Obama nominates him for something. And Hagel's a freakin' Republican! These folks really just can NOT find a way to say yes about ANYTHING Obama proposes. They are pathetic.
Can't the Republicans do anything else except froth at the mouth and act crazy?--? They are suffering from getting drunk on bitter TEA. They got annihilated in this election and if they keep acting crazy won't even have their gerrymandered majority in the House to Exploit. They remind me of Jill Kelley with her worthless Honorary Consul Tags. GROW UP!!!!!
The GOP will be extinct in its current form bye 2020
President Obama needs to nominate Senator John McCain to
head up the Department of Defense .
Hagel clearly stated he is a Senator for the United States not Israel. Sentiments shared by Obama and Kerry. The Jewish lobby is going down.
Whoever the candidate is, make sure they are not controlled much by republicans, especially republicans that ran from military duty in Vietnam. Give it to a democrat or independent if Hagel is not accepted. Let John Kerry pick a buddy, he surely knows some with military knowledge since he did not run from duty in Vietnam. How about Al Gore, he did not run from duty there either. See if another experienced combat vet, Oliver Stone wants a shot at it, that will blow the repub pols' minds. Warren Buffet or Bill Gates have any interest or recommendations?
Excuse me, but, there IS a "Jewish Lobby" in the US. It's called AIPAC...the American Israeli Political Action Committee. They lobby the US government in an endless stream for their client: the state of Israel.
Plus, in the Presidential election just past, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly lobbied for Mitt Romney's election as President. Just how much can a foreign head of state insert himself into the internal politics of another nation without it looking like the ham-handed (no pun intended) act it is?
I support Israel's right to exist. I also support our government negotiating fairly with BOTH Israelis and Arabs. Right now, the Jewish Lobby seeks to prevent and preclude our President from seeking a fair, balanced and negotiated middle ground that is equitable to all parties.
Note to AIPAC and their apologists: Continuing to whine that Jonathan Pollard...an American who spied for Israel and is serving a virtual life-term...should be released is a non-starter. Pollard is not the first person caught spying against America and for Israel, either.
We all remember the Lawrence Franklin espionage scandal (also known as the AIPAC espionage scandal) when Lawrence Franklin passed classified documents regarding United States policy towards Iran to Israel through the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Franklin, a former United States Department of Defense employee, pled guilty to several espionage-related charges and was sentenced in January 2006 to nearly 13 years of prison which was later reduced to ten months house arrest. Franklin passed information to AIPAC policy director Steven Rosen and AIPAC senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman who later were fired by AIPAC.
For claiming to be such a "close ally and friend", Israel certainly has an odious and execrable way of showing that "friendship".
I agree, Israel has a right to exist, but so do the Palestinians. However, Israel doesn't seem to think so.
what would be the point of this amendment to the
Constitution ?
"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.
I doubt this statement entirely. The war-mongering, Israel loving republicans will never give anyone a fair chance who doesn't believe the same way that they do.
Our do nothing stand in the way congress doing what they do best...nothing too improve America for 98% of Americans..
5% approval for a Dysfunctional Republican Congress is much too high...
Approval will get no higher as long as Republicans are associated with it to an extent that allows them too destroy our country on PURPOSE for self gratification......
Congress includes the Democratic controlled Senate. Without stupid people such as you Obama would be assistant night clerk at 7/11.
Does Zionist Israel dictate the identity of the US Secretary of Defense? If Hagel is not confirmed, then the answer is yes and those Senators who voted for Israel rather than the USA should be charged with treason.
Chuck Hagel's pay came from American tax payers, not Israelis. Senator Hagel was a Senator in the US Senate, not Israel's Knesset
Benedict Arnold was an American general before he turned traitor so what is your point?