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Subscribe to RSSEx-Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) got into a back and forth with freshman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) over remarks Hagel made during an appearance on a call-in talk show on Al Jazeera.
The clip cited by Cruz has been making its way around conservative blogs over the past few days. In it, Hagel is asked about an emailed question from a viewer (in Georgia in the United States), who notes the perception that the U.S. is viewed as the “world’s bully.”
Here’s the clip and transcript of that:
EMAIL QUESTION: “Can the rest of the world be persuaded to give up their arsenal when the image of the U.S. is that of the world’s bully? Don’t we indeed need to change the perception and the reality before asking folks to lay down their arms (nuclear or otherwise)?
HAGEL: Well, her observation is a good one, and it’s relevant. Yes, to her question, and again I think that’s all part of leadership.
That’s where the clip cuts off. Cruz admonished Hagel during the hearing for not disagreeing with the emailer. In fact, Cruz concluded, Hagel “explicitly” agreed that the United States was the "world’s bully."
But there was more to what Hagel had to say.
The subject of the March 21, 2009 show -- two months after President Obama was sworn in to a first term -- was nuclear proliferation. Hagel believes, as Obama does, that the world, including the United States, should have fewer nuclear weapons.
Here’s a fuller clip from the show and the rest of what Hagel had to say, including the next question about the “perception” of the United States as the “world’s bully.”
Hagel blamed that “perception” on the Bush administration’s foreign policy. They “misplayed a lot of the great goodwill” the U.S. received after 9/11, Hagel said.
HAGEL: “…And again I think that all part of leadership. That’s why this must begin with the United States and Russia. Look, for example, what President Obama has done in the first two months he’s been in office. His Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton, has met with the Russian Foreign Minister. She’s been in five regions of the world. The president of the United States is out of the United States now. He’ll be in different parts of the world over the next week. I think that is the beginning of, not just symbolism of reaching out, but, in fact, engaging, listening, finding common ground to build common interests based on consensus. We’re going to have differences. We will always have differences. But we should define our relationships based not on those differences but on our common interests.
HOST: “Well, I mean, that brings us to the new administration that is here in Washington. I think that perception of the United States being a bully in the world has come largely from what the previous administration has done.”
HAGEL: “Oh, I think that’s right. We are now in our unfortunately seventh and eighth years in two long wars. That’s not all America’s fault. Of course not. But I think this last administration misplayed a lot of the great goodwill that were [inaudible] to this country after the terrorist attacks on this country on Sept. 11, 2001. The fact is, the past is the past and we now move forward. Let’s try to get to high ground and fix some of these great problems and challenges for mankind. Working together, I believe we can do that.”
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Hagel makes some valid points; certainly doesn't bode well for someone who is a nominee for SOD. He's a straight shooter and would bring a lot to the role. We to realize our image was negatively/severely impacted in the Invasion of Iraq. Our reputation is still hurting thanks to "43"
But speaking the truth WOULD rattle any GOP right wing-nut, as well as what's Leftover.
To most of you on here and to Mr. Hagels qualifications and ability to be a good Secretary of Defence:
The more I hear from this Senator I think that he would be a very poor choice. Yes he is a moderate and yes he seems more in Mr. Obama's camp than any other Republican. So what! does that make him a good Secretary of Defence?. We all know he was chosen so that Mr. Obam could sy that he is bi-partisan. We all know that he was chosen becuase this will eliminate another Republican Senator. It is a political appointment without much regasrd for merit. Does this sound familiar? Key word here is Defence. He is the Chief Executive that issues order to the military from the President for all forces for War or Defence matters. He and the President jointly have the authority to launch nuclear Weapons. In other words, if the US has to go to War do you really want a wimp who thinks the US is a bully and does not like your traditional allies in the middle East. How much support will he receive.
It appears he has not read much History because history has proved time and time again that it is more important for other nations to respect you for your strength than for you smile. The next two major conflicts will be with Iran and North Korea and I am sure that Chuck Hagel does not have their respect for strength nor does Mr. Obama. Ronald Reagan proved that you can not get an enemy to lay down arms unless he respects your strength or even fears you. I am sure under Mr. Hagel and Mr. Obama that the US will offer to withdraw all Nuclear Weapons while North Korea and Iran go merly along building theirs. M.A.D. kept the world safe for almost 50 years. The only nations acquiring them now are sworn, belligerent enemies of the US. They will not stop building them because Mr. Obama has a nice chat with them over a beer. These policies are misplaced and Mr. Hagels is as dangerous as Leon Panneta was. Mr. Pannetta spilt more secrets than a 16 year old girl at a pajama party, but at least he did it with force. Mr. Hagel will do it in a pink dress.
jj--Regarding your statement that appointing Hagel would "eliminate another Republican Senator," you should be aware that Mr. Hagel has not been in the Senate since 2008. Further, under the American system, the SecDef does not share joint authority with the President for launching nuclear weapons. Only the president has that authority. Do you know how many nuclear weapons the US currently has? Between 5,000 and 7,700. Please list 5,000 targets in any likely enemy nation that are worthy of a thermonuclear warhead. Incidentally, regarding the notion that the only nations currently acquiring nuclear weapons are sworn enemies of the US, I wasn't aware that Israel, Pakistan and India were sworn enemies of the US. Your ideas don't seem to have much factual basis.
Old Vet: you got me on the Senator since 2008. I apologize, your right. but
you should really know more about the authority of your leaders.
In the U.S. Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense is often referred to as SecDef or SD. The Secretary of Defense and the President together constitute the National Command Authorities (NCA),[22] which has sole authority to launch strategic nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapons are governed by this dual-authority – both must concur before a strategic nuclear strike may be ordered.
Yes I have a rough idea how many Nuclear Weopons the US and world have. As per (Arms Controll Association)
which agrees with you.
China: About 240 total warheads.
So what does that have to do with anything I have said.
Only under Reagan was there any move to limit or destroy those weapons. Why was that. Because he had a beer with Gorbachev. No because he was feared by Gorbachev.
India and Pakastan have had nuclear weopons for years. So has Isreal. Please read my comment. I mentioned Iran and Korea. Of these Korea probably has one - 3 already. They are already threatoning to test and use missles to strike the US. That is my point. Neither one of these Nations is afraid of the US anymore. And both dont drink Budweiser.
Please also read a little about Mr. Reagan on the inside and see what he thought and did to start this dismantling of the nuclear arsenal. It may suprize you what his reviled man of the left accomplished and why.
Jajajaja, so you think 'Ol 666 (Ronald Wilson Reagan) was the BIG peace-maker, huh? So, what about the 300,000 victims of US terrorism in Cenral America in the 1980's (Note: About the time Reagan and Cheney were selling chemical warfare weapons to Sadam) in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama and Grenada? Ohhhh, you forgot about the CONTRA 'death squads' armed, paid, and trained by the UNITED SNAKES (US/Israel), huh?
God bless North Korea and its 3 lousey rag-tag nukes. Hey, but it has kept the Great Satan at bay, right? I mean, LQQK what happened to Qaddafi after he turned his plutonium and his nuclear weapons program over to the UNITED SNAKES (US/NATO), (cutting motion across my throat).
Reagan was a 'draft dodging' class B movie matinee idol coward. A so-called (GE commercials) movie actor coward that evicted 3/4th's of the nations mentally ill out into the streets in the 1980's (Turning the LA County jail into the larget mental health facility in America) so AmeriKKKa could 'afford' the B-1 bomber with its $6,000 toilet seats, remember Pilgrim?
JJ Canada, huh? "I suppose this is just another Jewish 'butt sniffing' Canadian that works for the Jewish owned Canadian Harper government one supposes.
graham and mccain...old white guys who need to go away...
asok--McCain can't get over the fact that we lost in Vietnam and Graham would oppose himself if Obama appointed him. Two neo-cons who haven't figured out that their time has passed.
Old Vet:
So should you replace neo-cons with neo-liberals.? The neo-cons have been gone from the White-House for 4 years. Do you just like saying that word "neo-con" or are you part of this blame everyone from the past but Obama zombie movement? Try saying "neo-com" it is just as fun but more applicable.
I am appalled by the views and obnoxious comments of Senator Ted Cruz. I have been watching both the Kerry and Hagel Senate hearings. Cruz doesn't seem to be able to disagree with someone else without attacking them. He acts as if he is a prosecutor in a trial rather than in a Senate hearing to determine someone's qualifications for a Cabinet position. His behavior with both John Kerry and Chuck Hagel was a disgrace and an embarrassment to the residents of Austin TX.
Unfortunately, here in Austin we have no representation. GOP redistricting left a liberal area divided and my representative is now Michael McCaul. It is not worth the cost of a phone call or a postage stamp to communicate an opinion to him.
I have always opposed John Cornyn who was a Bush Yes Man. Compared to the obnoxious show-off Cruz, Cornyn almost looks like a reasonable person.
Rick Perry, the governor, of course is a fool. It is obvious in every word he says, and was made clear to the entire country in the Republican debates.
Please don't judge Austin from the people who elected these jerks. Austin is a liberal very cool place with people who care about the country. Unfortunately we have no representation in the State or Federal government.
We're country on the reasonable people in the rest of the country, since we are outnumbered by the tea bags here. Cruz definitely does not represent the views of the people of Austin TX.
Austin is "Appalled", gosh don't want that. "Righteous Indignation" is always the reaction of people who really do not understand the situation.
Austin gives us good Music, yes!. Please stick to arguments on what you know. As all we are hearing from you is what your bias thinks.
I am appaled as how you speak about your elected representatives. LOL
jj -- It's that good old First Amendment. We can state our opinion about our elected servants when ever we want.
As for writing only about what you know, if everybody on here did that we would still be at the top of the first page.
McCain and Graham must the be stupidest politicians in Washington if they honestly think their little dog and pony show represented anything else other than an axe to grind.
McCain (gold spoon) marries wealthy beer heir.doesn't want po folk to protect self ??Musta been the Jet crash!
Old Vet: you got me on the Senator since 2008. I apologize, your right. but
you should really know more about the authority of your leaders.
In the U.S. Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense is often referred to as SecDef or SD. The Secretary of Defense and the President together constitute the National Command Authorities (NCA),[22] which has sole authority to launch strategic nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapons are governed by this dual-authority – both must concur before a strategic nuclear strike may be ordered.
Yes I have a rough idea how many Nuclear Weopons the US and world have. As per (Arms Controll Association)
which agrees with you.
China: About 240 total warheads.
So what does that have to do with anything I have said.
Only under Reagan was there any move to limit or destroy those weapons. Why was that. Because he had a beer with Gorbachev. No because he was feared by Gorbachev.
India and Pakastan have had nuclear weopons for years. So has Isreal. Please read my comment. I mentioned Iran and Korea. Of these Korea probably has one - 3 already. They are already threatoning to test and use missles to strike the US. That is my point. Neither one of these Nations is afraid of the US anymore. And both dont drink Budweiser.
Please also read a little about Mr. Reagan on the inside and see what he thought and did to start this dismantling of the nuclear arsenal. It may suprize you what his reviled man of the left accomplished and why.
Are you referring to America's elected representatives ? Citizens are America( we the people) not professional politicians.
Smelbun: How does this apply to the topic or arguments?
Also just so you know America includes Canada. South America includes many countries and Central America as well. The U.S. is United States of America. Speak for yourself because we in Canada are America as well. Please buy a map.
I am appalled by the views, comments, and behavior of Senator Ted Cruz which I have seen during the Senate hearings in the last week. His has acted more like a prosecutor out to score points rather than a US Senator conducting hearings. He is not able to discuss anything; he is only able to attack those he disagrees with. He seems to enjoy putting himself in the spotlight by attacking people who have actually worked hard to do something for our country. What has Cruz ever done except spout right-wing rhetoric and attack people?
I hope you won't judge Austin by the attitudes and arrogant behavior of the people from Texas in government offices. Austin is a really cool liberal city. Most people here would strongly disagree with everything Cruz says and stands for.
Unfortunately we have no representation here. GOP redistricting means we don't have anyone to represent us in the House of Representatives. Our "representative is Michael McCaul. It is not worth the cost of a phone call or a postage stamp to express an opinion to him.
As the whole country knows, at least since the Republican debates, thatour governor, Rick Perry is a fool.
I have hoped for a long time we could get someone good to replace John Cornyn, who was just a Bush/Cheney Yes Man. Now, Cornyn actually almost looks like a reasonable person compared to Cruz who is one of the most obnoxious people I have ever seen appear in the US Senate.
We have to count on the rest of the country to express reasonable views to there elected officials. We can't do it here. They listed only to the Tea Party.
If we can not be the bully, then we'll be bullied. We can try to be "understanding" and "reasonable" but sharia law is absolute. Look at the steps the French are taking in their country and Africa. I would prefer that Senator Chuck Hagel would be a bully.
Wow, if you read the whole exchange, why, in context it doesn't sound anything like Hagel is a wimpy pacifist apologist. Its almost as if those conservative blogs and web sites were trying to distort Hagel's real meaning and statement. But I know that's not true, because that would not be "fair and balanced". They would be trying to fool their own followers with an agenda of derailing this nomination for entirely bogus reasons. No real conservative would stoop to this when the true value of their ideas is strong enought to stand on its own merits. Its almost as if the conservatives know they have nothing, and believe that if only they can lie loudly and often enough, the -quality- and -substance- behind (or lacking in) their objections won't matter. Are these bloggers by any chance Romney or Ryan?
It has nothing to do with fair and balanced, Hagel was a pussy in NAM and is a Pussy now, the idea of respect in the Mideast is a gun to their heads, it's the only thing they understand or you will find out how to live under Shari'a law. We need a little more bulling.
If the posters here are any indication, we will never fix any of our problems because we don't disagree with each other anymore. We hate each other. Someone on the other side isn't someone with a differing opinion that is trying to do what they think is right for the country, they are a (Left or Right) wing nut job that wants to destroy the country for (fill in the reason here).
I admit I tend towards the right, but that doesn't mean that the left is wrong about everything. If you enter an argument that your opinion is totally correct, and the other side has nothing at all to offer, well, you are simply wrong.
What?
smelbun....are you illiterate? darcies' post made perfect sense to me.
It's amazing to see the republicans in a cannablising frenzy. Other than McCain, there isn't one of them that has tasted war like Hagel has. They've never felt a bomb drop within feet of them, never experienced the sound of a bullet flying near their head, and never seen the suffering of civilians (in NAM they were referred to as "collateral damage").
Hagel testified UNDER OATH and told these chicken hawks exactly what his position is (not was) on Israel, Iran, engagement not containment, and so on. If after his testimony they vote against his nomination they are, in effect, saying that he lied under oath. For that I would suggest that the entire pathetic bunch of them go rot in hell, and the sooner the better.
Hagel is awesome .... He doesn't pussy-foot around issues, and he actually thinks (what a novel concept in Washington). The way McCain hammered away on that stupid Iraq surge today, like it was some brilliant Napoleonic strategy, was a joke. If Rumsfeld hadn't tried to do an illegal war on the cheap, a surge years later would not have been necessary. But don't tell old Johnny that. He's on a roll!
It is frankly stunning to me that this guy could potentially have been president. Just look and listen to him. He's totally unhinged, not to mention petty and rude. I think ya'll forget he spent quite a few years in the "Hanoi Hilton", where he was broken like a jihadist at Guantanamo. Just thank your lucky stars this bitter old man doesn't have his finger on the button. McCain was and still is The Manchurian Candidate.
Confirm Hagel, John, then please be quiet. Your self-righteous indignation is more suited to a geriatric ward.
Blessed are the peace makers.
Those who would make themselves lambs,shall be eaten by Wolves.
The meek shall inherit the earth.
One doesn't have to be a lamb to promote and want peace.
The world today is a much more dangerous place than anytime in the last 50 years, during the cold war years there was a balance of power in the world and each side was not afraid to flex the muscleto protect it's interests. Today there is no balance of power and as in nature, when there is a vacuum somethingor someone will fill the hole. When the last super power nation try to create a balance it's accused of being a bully because all the despots are not free to do their dirty work and we are called a bully. Well I guess maybe a more simple form of diplomacy might be in order, when the twin towers were destroyed along with 4000 people we should have found out who did it (we did) what their nationality was (Saudis) find out who paid for it (we did) the Saudis, then we should have made the Saudis capital disappear in a mushroom cloud, wouldn't cost any American lives and sends a huge message to everyone else wishing to do us harm. Harsh? well yes but we will very soon be forced to do that when the Mideast explodes in a hail of nuclear bombs the guess work of existence is pretty clear and will most likely use our little nuke arsenal in protecting our own interests once again. Peace thru force, implied or applied is one of the same. but is not bulling.
how dare he suggest the USA is overbearing! How can we be when we have so many shortfalls in healthcare, life expectancy, literacy, education, et cetera!? No, the world is oppressing us!'
There, can I be a government official now?
To: seeking sanity,my Mom taught me to shoot when I was eight,I agree with you.
While munching on an "everything" bagel
Mindless Neocons broke teeth on a Hagel
Jilted pols cried and said
He got out of our bed
And is schtupping with the Goyim instead
I am both thrilled and comforted to know that a person like former Senator Chuck Hagel will be the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. We need a defense secretary who is willing to question whether or not to commit U.S. ground troops in any particular situation. The American people are tired of the kind of reckless global adventurism associated with the Bush-Cheney years. Secretary Hagel will carefully think through all national security issues like President Kennedy did during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The majority of Kennedy's advisers, together with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, relentlessly pressured the President either to nuke Cuba to kingdom come or order a comprehensive military and air assault against the island nation. Refusing to be cajoled or bullied into making a major (and regrettable) mistake, the President chose a completely different approach, much to the criticism, chagrin and disbelief of the top Pentagon brass. JFK's restraint paid off. His approach resolved the crisis and averted a catastrophic nuclear showdown. Much later, after the fall of the Soviet Union, history vindicated Kennedy's then-controversial decision. During the early 1990s, it was revealed that former Soviet missile commanders stationed throughout Cuba during the Missile Crisis, had standing orders to launch nuclear-tipped missiles at myriad targets throughout the United States should they observe any hint of a preemptive attack by the U.S. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was not afraid to stand up to the intense pressure and intimidation of a hawkish military establishment, resulting in a carefully-thought out decision that saved millions of lives (both American and foreign). After reading an article that highlighted the life experiences of the former Senator, I am convinced that Hagel, if confirmed, would be equally careful in recommending the deployment of American troops. He is exactly the right person for this job. The last person I would want as Secretary of Defense would be John McCain, an avowed and unapologetic war-monger that isn't happy unless our troops intervene in every trouble spot on this planet. McCain, you've become the stereotypical grumpy old man, who should have retired after losing the race for the presidency. Truly it is sad to see him make a fool of himself again and again.
The problem hasn't been wielding US power Pilgrim.
The Whitehouse 'idiot savant' ('W's)" 1.4m massacred Iraqi civilian men, women and children proves it, no?
It's been weilding that gray matter in our heads that resists the US' tendency to go rescue the Jewish war criminals 'everytime' they go out in the world and 'bite off more than they can chew.'
Hagel is correct!!
Hagel could have honestly answered Graham by saying, "You senator Graham and Senator McCain and many more are all intimidated by the Jewish lobby" and added "all of those who depend on the caimpaign contributions, like the mega-millions from Adelson to Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and so many others, and on their powerful support have sold their loyalty and just constantly demonstrate that in their favoritism". They simply get away with those intimidating questions and the obvious silient commitment to the Israeli cause just because the intimidation and control is so strong and widespread. I don't myself and I don't think anyone does advocate that America should abandon or even not favor Israel but a little honesty and even an expectation for reasonable fair play could go a long way towards resolving the mideast problems and also for just gaining some respect for hoesty in politics.
The Obama administration has no chance of changing the world's opinion of the US...the Obama administration even with all the lies and cover ups by the liberal media can't even change the opinion of people in the US about the US...
Who's the bully? Cruz & Co.
At a time when rogue nations are doing everything to gain nuclear weapons or augment their existing stockpiles, how is it logical for the US to disarm itself? Instead, the US needs to research more powerful and flexible nuclear arms while expanding its assortment of missiles and bombs. The only time to stop nuclear-weapons research will be when something even more destructive comes along.
Hey Bubba. in case you're ill informed the US just allotted itself some $5b to upgrade and slim-line its nuclear weapons arsenal. (BTW: In violation of the NPT and IAEA protocols). But, then, you know how the Great Satan operates. "Do as I say - Not as I do."
Few times in Israel's sordid war criminal history have the bible barbarians had to look ahead at a US administration that wasn't 'owned and operated' by the AIPAC gangsters, so its easy to see why the UNITED SNAKES' (US/Israel) relationship is considered in jeopordy in Tel Aviv as the Hagel/Kerry 'team' joins the Obamba administration to cede power in critical areas controlled by the US' foreign policymeisters. Oh, but wait a minute! Wasn't it the kosher pig Natanyahu that 'brought all of this on himself? Cheering and smelling "ROB-ME's (((farts))) throughout the US presidential campagn and 'dogging' Obama at every opportunity? Even 'bad mouthing' and showing disrespect for Obama at the AIPAC Convention last year? Oh well, 'Ol boy Natanyahu - 'Now we'll see who's got the POWER and who has to go and 'cut bait. LOL! :)
Well isn't that sweet, liberal damage control in full force. Even tipped Feisty to post first. You can be sure with fluff and Feisty this is fully paid and sanctioned propaganda. Third Reich with a smiles and innocence.