President Barack Obama has selected a former Nebraska senator, Chuck Hagel, as his next defense secretary, a White House official said Sunday, turning to a prominent Republican to lead the Pentagon as it faces of the challenge of winding down the war in Afghanistan and possible reductions in military spending.
Comments
Amazing ineptitude . . . the president accepts the resignations of Ge. David Petraeus and Gen. Stanley McCrystal, only to appoint Sen. Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense.
Yes, a married head of the CIA who had an affair with an unbalanced woman, and a field commander who encouraged disrespect to the CIC among his command staff during a time of war, were allowed to resign with dignity, while a Republican combat veteran was nominated to Defense even though he does not endorse any war/any time. Shocking! Of course, both men should have been kept on, despite the cost to the country, and Senator McConnell should be at Defense. If only you were in charge, instead of what you do now.
Just the sort of Republican whom Obama could love: one who's hostile to Israel.
Perhaps he's a Republican who would rather see Americans dying to defend America rather than an intransigent right-wing Israeli government playing hardball with American lives in the balance.
It's always interesting to watch the GOP go into conniptions when one of their own dares to think for himself without consulting the groupthink. I thought they liked "mavericks". Apparently that is not the case. As for Israel, American support for its survival should be strong, but not unqualified. America's interests should always come first, and if the current Israeli government assumes that the USA will back any policy and play they make, then it should be disabused of that notion. Perhaps a Secretary Hagel could affirm that message. Also, it's nice to see that there is another American Senator who is a combat veteran who questions mindlessly sending our troops into another overseas adventure of little benefit to American citizens.
No need to wind down military spending. If AIPAC gets its way, we will be invading Iran very shortly.