The Boston Globe

Nation

Hagel grilled during confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON — Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s nominee as defense secretary, confronted withering criticism during a marathon confirmation hearing Thursday, but administration officials said they felt confident that the Republican-led attacks did not derail his bid to lead the Pentagon.

Lawmakers from both parties spent roughly eight hours grilling Hagel about remarks he has made at various points of his career and the votes he had cast in the Senate. The nominee at times struggled as he sought to explain his past positions, in some cases distancing himself from them. But he offered a full-throated endorsement of the United States’ alliance with Israel, insisted that he has never advocated for unilateral nuclear disarmament, and called Iran an existential threat.

Comments

Hagel is dishonest and dumb. Political views aside, his incompetence should disqualify him from being confirmed.

Hagel did not refuse to answer the question.  Every time he started to answer with any word except yes or no, McCain, sounding like a very old man suffering from dementia, badgered him.  

Even the party faithful on 'Morning Joe' of Feb. 1 were critical of the lackluster performance this Hagel guy put on during a confirmation hearing.  He was, those folks said, ill prepared, stumbling and inept at recovering from criticism from the likes of Sens. John McCain, who had every right to raise questions such as Hagel's views on the use of American troops and the state of Israel.  Of course, hacks like salemreader are offended that anyone would dare to try and disrupt an appointment by Barry the O.

Replies

There, I checked off a 'Dislike" just in case nobody else does it.  

You're giving yourself a dislike, Boat? I'm sure you'll get your share.

not qualified

This comment has been removed.

Hagel will keep the U.S. from invading Iran because Israel wants us to.  Netanyahu and Co. fooled us on Iraq, Hagel won't let them fool us on Iran. 

NEXT.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/02/around-the-hagel-in-80-seconds.php