The systematic roasting of Chuck Hagel during the confrimation hearings this week is clearly putting the former Republican turned Democrat's nomination in jeopardy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21280212
Undoubtedly much of the focus was to administer some political payback for the sin of being disloyal tot he Republican party after being a GOP senator for 12-years, then going to the Democratic Party. The questions were designed to settle some personal and political scores.
However, apart from the typical political posturing, there were pointed moments as when Senator Ted Cruz played an Al-Jazeera interview in which Mr. Hagel seemed to agree that America was behaving like a bully in the world and Israel was guilty of war crimes.
In response, Hagel seemed to suggest that he did not understand the question.
"Highly troubling", was Senator Cruz's response.
There is a philosophy being spun for years that America deserves the problems as the 9/11 attacks due to our policies. Opponents to Hagel's confirmation believe that these misguided concepts have no place in the position of secretary of defense, a vanguard position in the American government.http://www.examiner.com/article/chuck-hagel-nomination-leaves-a-bad-taste-the-mouth-of-conservatives
Apologizing or being concilatory about past American policies does not fly well with the Republicans or those who are stanch supporters of foreign policy.
Hagel also appeared to have the politically correct worldview regarding Israel. Hagel claimed that the Jewish lobby had too much influence on American politicians. Also suggesting that Israel is guilty of war crimes has not endeared Hagel to the Israeli government or American Israeli supporters
Not too much of the confirmation hearings has been reported regarding Hagel from the American press perhaps due to Hagel's poor showing. By attacking Hagel, the Republicans probably hoped to define President Barack Obama's by showing his policies are defeatist and disloyal. Endorsing Hagel demonstrates Obama agrees with what Hagel stands for.
Comments