I am still totally unenthusiastic about Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be Secretary of Defense. But, I am also a committed opponent of Stupid. Therefore, with the exception of the bashing he takes for being a former homophobe, I doubt I will agree with any of the criticism he takes today. After all, the criticism comes down to the idea that Israel’s government can never be questioned, let alone criticized, and that Iran must be bomb, bomb, bombed. Nothing could be more boring and depressing than those positions. Also, MORE DEFENSE SPENDING!!
If you are watching on CSPAN, feel free to make comments.
Inhofe is such a unremitting dick.
“Hagel’s record is deeply disturbing, he criticizes our allies and appeases our enemies.” -(paraphrasing) Ranking Member Jim Inhofe’s opening statement.
“OMG!! Hagel is supportive of nuclear disarmament.”- Inhofe
Two former chairmen of the Senate Armed Services committee are introducing Chuck Hagel: Democrat Sam Nunn of Georgia and Republican John Warner of Virginia.
Eat it, Inhofe.
i started out totally unenthusiastic, but as I learned more about him and have come to understand who it is that really, really doesn’t want him confirmed, I’ve become pretty enthusiastic.
I’m not a big fan of Hagel’s either, but I’ve come to the (tentative) conclusion that President Obama generally makes personnel decisions for strategic reasons.
So, keeping Robert Gates on as Secretary of Defense provided cover against attacks from the right on ending the Iraq War and repealing DADT. I’d guess one main reason for appointing Hagel is to provide cover for future defense cuts.
My guess is that Panetta already has the plans for where the cuts will come from. Hagel has to sell the institution that national security demands more realism (not in the realpolitik sense) in the size of the defense budget. Especially when US bigfooting decreases US national security.
Huge defense cuts are coming eventually. We need a transitionary Secretary to lay the groundwork for that. Hagel may be a good fit in that role especially since, being a Republican, he inoculates Obama against “he’s gutting defense” or other such nonsense memes. (Others may be better, I dunno, but the choice has been made.)
Cheers,
Scott.
I deeply hope you’re right. I still don’t trust anybody that campaigned for McCain, but but if he’s the stalking horse for major military spending cuts, it’s worth it. Plus, maybe some of the “anti-Israel”, ie not-entirely-in-lockstep-with-Likud have some truth to them.
One way to measure a man is to take notice of his enemies – it’s not fool-proof, but it can point you in the right direction.
I wonder if Inhofe knows how unintentionally funny he is. Quoting JRube’s column on the “dim-witted State Department” is so rich.
Warner and Nunn did what they do best. Hard to watch those old warhorses and not turn on the pro Hagel switch. Been thinking about his ‘anti gay’ comments and actually the comments seemed to be reflective of the mainstream thinking at that moment. I doubt you could find more of a handful of R’s at the time who didn’t make similar comments. So, not to say he was wrong, but take into account just how far this nation has moved and his apology reflects that movement.
When Hagel started his statement this morning I thought he was, to put it nicely, not engaged. Then he warmed up and came across wise and charasmatic. Had to stop watching, hope that’s how he finished.
I would have trouble accepting “I changed my mind. Sorry ’bout that,” on most issues, but who hasn’t seen people undergo remarkable, swift conversions on the issue of gay rights in the past decade and a half?
McCain seems to have taken Hagel’s criticisms over the years rather personally.
What doesn’t McCain take personally? He’s just a bitter loser.
Well, the guy didn’t get to be president despite his incredible talents, and now he’ll never get to SoD either despite his incredible talents. People keep putting his mighty light under a bushel while that smartass jerk Hagel usurps him. You’d be bitter and cranky too.
Laughable ‘request’ for Hagel to audit DoD. Of course he said yes, I suspect with the knowledge the agency has been – multiple times over multiple Congresses – declared unauditable. From a GAO Press Release:
“As was the case in 2010, the main obstacles to a GAO opinion on the accrual- based consolidated financial statements were: (1) serious financial management problems at the Department of Defense (DOD) that made its financial statements unauditable,“.
Has Panetta changed that? Obama’s smart enough to know that an unauditable DoD is unaccountable to the President. Hoping they don’t just go through the motions this time but cite some bureaus, commands, and names.
Wow that is insane. Hate and paranoia will bankrupt you every time.
I hope your right.
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