Well, it’s official: President Obama has nominated Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary.
"Chuck represents the bipartisan tradition that we need more of in Washington." –@BarackObama on Hagel nomination
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) January 7, 2013
"When it comes to defense of our country, we are not Democrats or Republicans; we are Americans." —President Obama
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2013
Consider that part of Barack Obama’s “bipartisan spirit.” Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Colin Powell are certainly feeling the spirit:
Former SecDef Gates on Hagel: "The country and our men and women in uniform would be well-served by his swift confirmation."
— Josh Earnest (NARA) (@jearnest44) January 7, 2013
Colin Powell, per @MitchellReports, "wholeheartedly endorse(s)" Hagel for Def Sec. "He is the kind of leader needed"-urges "prompt hearings"
— Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) January 7, 2013
Colin Powell says his friend and fellow Vietnam Vet #Chuck Hagel is bold independent leader Pentagon needs #mitchellreports
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) January 7, 2013
More Powell on Hagel: "I believe that more than ever we need that kind of independent and bold leader who thinks in and out of the box"
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) January 7, 2013
And Hagel is just tickled!
Chuck #Hagel: "Mr. President, I will always give you my honest and most informed counsel."
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) January 7, 2013
Hagel: "I am very much looking forward to having a full, open, transparent hearing about my qualifications and my record."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 7, 2013
Open? Transparent? He does know this the Obama Administration, doesn’t he?
What’s already transparent is many Congressional Republicans’ leeriness when it comes to Hagel:
During these dangerous times there is no more important Cabinet position than Secretary of Defense.
— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) January 7, 2013
Senator Chuck Hagel is the wrong man for this job at such a pivotal time.
— Eric Cantor (@EricCantor) January 7, 2013
The President’s nomination, despite widespread and bipartisan concern, reinforces the signal that he agrees with Hagel's extreme positions.
— Eric Cantor (@EricCantor) January 7, 2013
Portman on Hagel: “Surprised And Disappointed” President Picks “Yet Another Political Fight”
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 7, 2013
In statement, Sen John McCain says he has "serious concerns" about Hagel positions on some "criticfal national security issues."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 7, 2013
My statement on the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense: http://t.co/f8vsuY0P
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 7, 2013
. @JohnCornyn "I know Chuck Hagel. He's an honorable man… but he's profoundly wrong" on a number of natl security issues #mitchellreports
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) January 7, 2013
. @JohnCornyn says "It's pretty clear that Chuck Hagel left the Republican party when he endorsed President Obama in '08" on#mitchellreports
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) January 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/stephenlargen/status/288366651844472833
Eric Cantor, still the only Jewish Republican in Congress (ever since Specter and Coleman went), opposes Hagel pick
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) January 7, 2013
.@SenDeanHeller on Hagel: " I do have concerns about Senator Hagel’s nomination, specifically regarding his views on Israel and Iran."
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) January 7, 2013
Hagel is not right choice for SecDef & if nominated, it is difficult to imagine any way I could support confirmation: http://t.co/qFObtcyc
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 7, 2013
Media lapdogs, for their part, are totally fine with the nomination:
Obama hails Hagel for representing "bipartisan spirit" needed in DC. In other words, go ahead, Rs, make my day…..
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) January 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/288367817621921794
Still struggling to grasp why so many GOP senators, especially those from the South, get outraged when Obama acts like president. Thoughts?
— Daniel Gross (@grossdm) January 7, 2013
Wow, DC journalists are really flooding the zone with pro-Hagel PR.
— jon gabriel (@exjon) January 7, 2013
Wolf Blitzer insists Hagel should be confirmed because he's a Vietnam veteran. Why didn't that apply to McCain in 2008?
— jon gabriel (@exjon) January 7, 2013
Hmmm … good question.
Meanwhile, Hagel continues to face sharp criticism for his antagonistic attitude toward Israel. Press Secretary Jay Carney thinks that’s just hogwash:
WH's Carney calls Hagel a "staunch supporter of Israel."
— Brian Hughes (@BrianHughesATL) January 7, 2013
As does Hagel himself:
Hagel: There is "not one shred of evidence that I'm anti-Israeli, not one (Senate) vote that matters that hurt Israel." http://t.co/EBgBhoZq
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 7, 2013
The facts would beg to differ:
August '06, Hagel was 1 of 12 senators who refused to sign a letter asking the EU to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization. #blockhagel
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) January 7, 2013
Wow. The RNC Research team ( @RNCresearch ) have compiled a HUGE laundry list of *very* troubling Hagel statements: http://t.co/lIv3edw1
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) January 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/Heminator/status/288350420647157760
Indeed. Seems those who doubt his commitment to a firm U.S.-Israel relationship have reason to be skeptical. Conservatives and pro-Israel advocates are taking to Twitter to voice their disgust with Obama’s choice:
If you are opposed to Chuck Hagel's nomination as Secretary of Defense, please tweet #BlockHagel http://t.co/GZM75I3V
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) January 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/davidamilstein/status/288361027056316416
We must #BlockHagel if we want a strong national defense & to maintain strong allies with Israel. #tcot
— Ethan Crisp (@EthanCrisp) January 7, 2013
Of course Obama picked Hagel he is a fake republican who voted both times for Obama. Who is anti Israel. #ObamaVSAmerica #BlockHagel
— Bren (@BrenOlver) January 7, 2013
#BlockHagel Israel needs more allies in the US government, it already has enough federal employees that are hostile towards her.
— J (@JustenCharters) January 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/jrsalzman/status/288354676527738880
Hagel stands against #Israel – stand against him! #BlockHagel
— Veronica Cantana (@Conservatana) January 7, 2013
Anti-Semitism, especially Soviet anti-Semitism, is one of the most demoralizing acts to ever exist. Hagel didn't condemn it. #blockhagel
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) January 7, 2013
#BlockHagel Because those who believe Israel does not 'have a right to exist' do not need an ally in the U.S. Sec. of Defense
— WhigsnTwigs (@WhigsnTwigs) January 7, 2013
They certainly do not.
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