Former Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel: The Islamic State Rose Because Iraq 'Squandered' 5 Years

Defense News: Hagel: Iraq 'Squandered' 5 Years, Paving Way for ISIS

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said he believes the government of Iraq “squandered” the five-year stretch from 2008 to 2013, paving the way for the rise of the Islamic State group and the chaos of the last two years.

Speaking Monday in Washington, Hagel, who served in that role from 2013 to 2015, also hinted at dissatisfaction with how the Obama administration dealt with the Pentagon during his tenure, indicating that future administrations should lean more on the opinions of the uniformed personnel when weighing foreign policy decisions.

Asked to reflect on the situation in Iraq, Hagel showed disappointment and frustration with what happened once the US President George W. Bush signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq in December 2008, which set off the clock for US forces to leave Iraq in the hands of the local government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Update: Chuck Hagel to the next president: 'Listen' (The Hill)

WNU Editor: There is a lot of blame to go around on what has happened in Iraq. And while it is easy to blame the U.S. government, President Bush, President Obama, etc. .... the majority of the blame must still fall on the Iraqis themselves, and their inability to find compromise and reconciliation.

More Commentary On Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Remarks During His Tenure In President Obama's White House

U.S. President Barack Obama greets former U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. Yuri Gripas / Reuters

Dan Lamothe, Washington Post: Why former Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel’s coming out against the White House matters

When Chuck Hagel resigned as defense secretary last year, the narrative was clear: President Obama and he did not see eye-to-eye on how to prosecute the war against the Islamic State, so Hagel needed to go. White House officials, speaking anonymously, said at the time that the president had lost faith in Hagel’s ability to lead — a charge that Hagel’s advisers brushed aside.

Now, a little over a year later, Hagel is swinging back. In an interview with Foreign Policy magazine published Friday, he said he remains puzzled why White House officials tried to “destroy” him personally in his last days in office, adding that he was convinced the United States had no viable strategy in Syria and was particularly frustrated with National Security Adviser Susan Rice, who he said would hold meetings and focus on “nit-picky” details.

“I eventually got to the point where I told Susan Rice that I wasn’t going to spend more than two hours in these meetings,” Hagel told Foreign Policy. “Some of them would go four hours.”

Previous Post: Former U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: White House Tried To 'Destroy Me'

WNU Editor: Here is another commentary on Chuck Hagel's remarks .... Chuck Hagel's Astonishing Admission on Syria (Micah Zenko, The Atlantic). As to what is my take on this story .... Chuck Hagel was an "underwhelming" Defense Secretary .... and could not get alone with President Obama's inner circle ... hence his firing. On a side note .... expect more "exposes" and "confessions" from other former administration officials when President Obama is no longer in the White House .... doubly so if the Republicans win the White House in 2016 resulting in many Democrats looking for work.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: White House Tried To 'Destroy Me'

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, August 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Yuri Gripas

Dan De Luce, Foreign Policy: Hagel: The White House Tried to ‘Destroy’ Me

In an exclusive interview, Chuck Hagel said the Obama administration micromanaged the Pentagon, stabbed him in the back on the way out -- and still has no strategy for fixing Syria.

Jet-lagged from a long overseas trip, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had just sat down with his wife for a quiet dinner at an upscale Italian restaurant in northern Virginia when his phone rang. It was the White House on the line. President Barack Obama wanted to speak with him.

It was Aug. 30, 2013, and the U.S. military was poised for war. Obama had publicly warned Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad that his regime would face consequences if it crossed a “red line” by employing chemical weapons against its own people. Assad did it anyway, and Hagel had spent the day approving final plans for a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missile strikes against Damascus. U.S. naval destroyers were in the Mediterranean, awaiting orders to fire.

Instead, Obama told a stunned Hagel to stand down. Assad’s Aug. 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb had killed hundreds of civilians, but the president said the United States wasn’t going to take any military action against the Syrian government. The president had decided to ignore his own red line — a decision, Hagel believes, that dealt a severe blow to the credibility of both Obama and the United States.

WNU Editor: As a former U.S. Senate Republican .... how did he think he was going to be treated by a Democrat White House and administration who were in disagreement with his views?

Pentagon's Sequestration Briefing - -March 1, 2013

SEQUESTER BRIEFING

In his first press briefing as defense secretary, Chuck Hagel discusses the onset of the sequester and the grave impact it will have on national security and military readiness during a briefing at the Pentagon, March 1, 2013. After taking initial questions from reporters, Hagel introduced Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who provided details on the impending steep cuts. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Chuck Hagel On Defense Budget Cuts Under Sequestration: 'We're Adjusting To The Realities' -- NBC

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday that the cuts under sequestration “will cause pain” and potentially impact readiness ”across our force,” but avoided any doomsday scenario for the impact on national security. Hagel also expressed optimism the White House and Congress would come to an agreement to head off any serious consequences.

In his first briefing for reporters, Hagel said America “has the most capable, the most powerful fighting force in the world” and the Pentagon will “not allow this capacity to erode.” Hagel added “we’ll do what we need to do to assure the capabilities of our forces.”

“We’re adjusting to the realities.”

Read more ....

More News On Today's Pentagon Sequestration Briefing

Main page on Sequestration -- US Department of Defense
Secretary Details Results of Sequestration Uncertainty -- US Department Of Defense
Hagel Notes Sequester’s ‘Particular Pain’ for Civilians -- US Department of Defense
Hagel Says Pentagon Will Do What’s Needed to Manage Cuts -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Chuck Hagel: Sequestration Won't Erode U.S. Military -- Huffington Post/AP
US Defense Secretary Hagel scolds budget cuts -- Global Post/AFP
Hagel says budget cuts put Pentagon missions at risk -- Reuters
Sequester will hurt military readiness, Chuck Hagel says -- Kansas City/McClatchy News
Hagel Tries to Restore Normalcy to Defense -- US News And World Report
Hagel on sequestration: DoD will adjust -- Army Times
Hagel, Pentagon announce initial spending cut -- USA Today
Hagel warns against cuts, assures consensus will be reached -- Washington Times
Hagel still hopeful on sequestration deal -- Stars and Stripes

Chuck Hagel's First Day As U.S. Defense Secretary

Hagel, In First Day On Job, Warns Of Challenges Cuts Pose For The Military -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — After surviving a long and bruising Senate confirmation battle, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel started his first day at the Pentagon on Wednesday morning by warning that looming cuts in military spending were one of the biggest challenges facing the Defense Department, but that the United States must continue to “engage with the world.”

Mr. Hagel did not speak at length about the budget, but the cuts, he said, are coming. “We need to deal with this reality,” he told an audience in the Pentagon auditorium.

Hours after being sworn in as the 24th defense secretary, Mr. Hagel struck a folksy tone in the roomful of both military and civilian Defense Department employees, with some of the military’s top brass populating the front rows.

Read more ....

More News On Chuck Hagels' First Day As U.S. Secretary Of Defense

Hagel Takes Office as 24th Defense Secretary -- US Department of Defense
Hagel Issues Message to Defense Department Workforce -- US Department of Defense
Hagel takes defense helm, ready to ‘turn the page on more than a decade of grinding conflict’ -- Washington Post/AP
As new defense secretary, Hagel tells troops: I’ll deal straight with you -- Washington Post
Hagel: Military faces challenges but is 'force for good' -- USA Today
Chuck Hagel At Pentagon: America Must Not 'Dictate' To The World -- Huffington Post/Reuters
New US Defense Chief: US Can't Dictate to the World -- Voice of America
Who’s the boss? Hagel bows to Pentagon staff after being sworn-in as defense secretary -- Washington Times
We Learned Everything About Hagel -- Except What Matters -- Jeffrey Goldberg, Bloomberg
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s First Day in Words and Images -- Moderate Voice

Chuck Hagel Confirmed For U.S. Defense Secretary -- News Roundup

 

Senate Confirms Hagel For Defense Secretary -- NBC  

The Senate voted to confirm former Sen. Chuck Hagel as President Barack Obama's next secretary of defense following weeks of dogged opposition by Republican senators to their erstwhile colleague. The Senate voted 58 to 41 to formally confirm Hagel, on the heels of a procedural vote earlier in the day that cleared the way for Tuesday afternoon's final vote.

That earlier vote dispensed with a filibuster that Senate Republicans had waged for a week and a half against Hagel, whose confirmation was delayed by Republicans past the President's Day recess in order to allow for more time to dig into the former Nebraska senator's background.    

Read more ....

More News On The Confirmation Of Chuck Hagel For U.S. Defense Secretary  

Senate approves Hagel as new secretary of defense -- Reuters
Hagel confirmed as next US secretary of defense -- AFP
Hagel Prevails in Senate After Bruising Bout With G.O.P. -- New York Times
Senate confirms Hagel to lead Pentagon -- Washington Post
The Senate Has Finally Confirmed Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary -- The Atlantic
Hagel confirmed by Senate after contentious battle -- MSNBC
Hagel confirmed as U.S. defense secretary, bruised after political fight -- CNN
Senate Confirms Hagel as Secretary of Defense -- ABC News
Hagel confirmed as defense secretary -- CBS News
US Senate Confirms Hagel as Pentagon Chief -- Voice of America
Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate -- BBC
US Senate approves Chuck Hagel as Obama's next secretary of defense -- The Guardian
Hagel survives; opponents make nice -- Politco
 Senate votes to confirm Hagel -- The Hill
Secretary Hagel: The new Defense chief got the vetting he deserved. -- Wall Street Journal editorial
Did the bruising battle cost Hagel his political clout? -- Aliyah Frumin, MSNBC
Chuck Hagel will be secretary of Defense. What did GOP opposition accomplish? -- Peter Grier, Christian Science Monitor
Chuck Hagel Becomes Defense Secretary In Time for Military Budget Chaos -- Spencer Ackerman, The Danger Room

Chuck Hagel Wins Confirmation For U.S. Secretary Of Defense

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (Reuters/Mian Khursheed)

Hagel Wins Confirmation To Lead Pentagon -- Washington Post

Chuck Hagel won confirmation Tuesday to become defense secretary over objections to his views on Middle East security and the administration’s handling of an attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya.

On a 58 to 41 vote, the Senate confirmed the former GOP senator as four Republicans joined 54 Democrats in approving Hagel, ending a nearly two-month battle that included an unprecedented filibuster against the nominee.

The four Republican senators voting in favor were Thad Cochran (Miss.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Richard C. Shelby (Ala.) and Rand Paul (Ky.). All 41 no votes came from Republicans.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: We will be updating this story at 21:00 EST

US Senate Prepares To Confirm Chuck Hagel For U.S. Secretary Of Defense

Chuck Hagel faces senators in a confirmation hearing, Jan. 31, 2013, in Washington. (ABC NEWS)

Senate Clears Way To Confirm Chuck Hagel To Head Pentagon -- Bloomberg Businessweek

The Senate cleared the way for Chuck Hagel’s confirmation as U.S. secretary of defense, as lawmakers voted today to cut off delaying tactics after weeks of partisan acrimony over President Barack Obama’s nominee.

With 60 votes needed to limit debate, the Senate passed a procedural motion 71-27 to block the first filibuster against a nominee for defense secretary. The action sets up a final simple-majority vote at 4:30 p.m. Washington time today to install the former Republican senator from Nebraska as the successor to retiring Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Read more ....

More News On The US Senate Clearing The Way To Confirm Chuck Hagel As U.S. Secretary Of Defense

Senate clears way for likely approval of Pentagon nominee Hagel -- Reuters
Senate Clears Hagel Vote -- Wall Street Journal
Hagel Survives Filibuster, Last Big Roadblock to Defense Post -- New York Times
Senate clears way for Hagel confirmation vote -- USA Today
Hagel clears filibuster hurdle, is set for confirmation -- Washington Post
Stat! Bloodied Defense Secretary Incoming! -- Mark Thompson, Time

The Job Of The U.S. Defense Secretary

What a Defense Secretary Does -- Dan Senor, Weekly Standard

Pace Hagel, it’s a policy-making job.

In September 1993, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin received a request from the U.S. commander in Somalia for extra tanks, armored vehicles, and AC-130 Spectre gunships to support U.S. operations in Mogadishu. Aspin refused the request. The White House was not involved in the decision. Days later, 18 U.S. soldiers were killed in Mogadishu, some 84 were wounded, two U.S. choppers were shot down, and one pilot was captured. Aspin, who later conceded he had erred in denying the commander’s request, appeared weak when responding to detailed questions during a congressional hearing. His resignation followed less than a year into his hapless tour running the Pentagon.

Read more ....

My Comment: A rather long post .... but it gives an accurate description on the role and importance of the U.S. Defense Secretary. Is Chuck Hagel up to the job .... I was skeptical before his confirmation hearing .... and after that debacle (see above video) I am now super-skeptical. But President Obama wants him for the job, and since there are no major confirmation killing scandals involving Chuck Hagel, he will be confirmed by the US Senate.

U.S. Senate Republcians Ready To Confirm Chuck Hagel For Secetary Of Defense

Key Republicans Say Chuck Hagel Now Likely To Be Confirmed -- Christian Science Monitor

Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have led the opposition to Chuck Hagel's nomination to be secretary of defense. Now, both say former Sen. Hagel is likely to be confirmed.

If nothing else, the congressional break for the week of Presidents’ Day is a cooling-off period for the fight over former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be secretary of defense.

Questions about President Obama’s handling of the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans, including the US ambassador – an issue, by the way, which Mr. Hagel had nothing to do with – are being answered to the apparent satisfaction of Republicans … at least to the point where they’re willing to end their de facto filibuster of Hagel’s nomination.

Read more ....

More News On The Confirm Process Of Chuck Hagel For Secetary Of Defense

Obama nominee for defense likely to get confirmed: top Republican -- Reuters
2 Senate Opponents Vow to End Bid to Block Hagel -- New York Times
Chuck Hagel’s critics say defense nominee will be confirmed -- Washington Times
McCain says he won't delay further on Hagel -- Sydney Morning Herald
McCain: Hagel confirmation imminent -- Politico
Republicans soften stance on Chuck Hagel nomination ahead of Senate vote -- The Guardian
GOP foes of Hagel nomination say vote should go on -- Nola.com

The Chuck Hagel Nomination For US Secetary Of Defense Is Becoming A Mess

Republicans Block Vote On Obama's Defense Nominee, Hagel -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Republican lawmakers succeeded on Thursday in delaying a Senate vote on confirming President Barack Obama's choice of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, but another vote was planned for later in the month and Obama said he expected his nominee to be approved.

The tally was 58-40, with almost every Republican voting no, falling short of the 60 needed to pass a motion to stop debate and allow a vote by the full Senate on confirming the former Republican senator.

The result delayed, but did not end, Hagel's hopes of becoming the civilian chief at the Pentagon.

Democrats were furious at the delay, which they characterized as the first time in history that the procedural tactic known as a filibuster had been used to block a defense nominee, something disputed by Republicans.

Read more ....

More News On US Senate Republicans Blocking Chuck Hagel's Nomination As US Defense Secretary

Senate Republicans block vote on Hagel nomination -- Washington Post
Senate Republicans block vote on confirming Hagel as defense chief -- Reuters
Senate GOP stalls Hagel nomination by waging filibuster -- NBC
Senate GOP delays vote on Defense nominee Chuck Hagel -- L.A. Times
GOP Stalls Vote on Pick for Pentagon -- Wall Street Journal
Hagel nomination blocked, Senate Republicans threaten to filibuster -- Stars and Stripes
GOP moves to block Chuck Hagel from defense post -- Washington Examiner
Filibuster or not? GOP slow-walks Hagel nomination -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
GOP says it needs more time on Hagel for Pentagon -- Kansas City/McClatchy News
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmation -- David Grant, Christian Science Monitor
Why Republicans are filibustering Chuck Hagel -- Chris Cillizza, Washington Post

My Comment: The main stream media's coverage on this story was so bias in favor of the nomination that they never paid any attention to the growing opposition to the nomination .... and the reasons why. Even tonight .... with the nomination as good as blocked .... many are still voicing the opinion that he will be confirmed but without explaining why. Bottom line .... politics aside .... Chuck Hagel is a lousy nominee for this job (Galrhan's reasons are on the money) and there are better choices out there (my favorite is Michèle Flournoy) .... but this is who President Obama wants hence this is where we are today.

What's my prediction .... the White House is going to release the information that the Republican U.S. senators want (which they should have done in the beginning thereby avoiding this mess) .... and he will be nominated. But if for some reason the White House goes into lock-downed mode and decide not to release what is essentially basic information ....this will then tell me that they are hiding something .... and they do not want little people like me (and you) to know about it.

Republicans Block Vote On Hagel For U.S. Defense Secretary

Republicans Block Chuck Hagel's Nomination For Defense Secretary -- The Guardian

GOP senators pin vote on Obama nominee to the release of more information about attack on US consulate in Benghazi.

The US Senate's top Democrat attacked Republican senators Thursday for blocking Chuck Hagel's nomination to be President Barack Obama's next secretary of defense, saying it was "shocking" and "tragic" that they would attempt such a move at a time when the US military is engaged in so many places around the world.

A vote to end debate on Hagel's nomination failed to pass with the required threshold of 60, meaning the president's pick remains in limbo until the Senate returns on 26 February, after the recess.

Read more ....

Update: Senate blocks Hagel nomination - for now -- USA Today

My Comment: If the White House does not bend .... this nomination is in trouble.

Will The U.S. Have A Defense Secretary During A Time Of War (Afghanistan)?

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Defense Secretary Hagel? Not So Fast -- ABC News

Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was hoping today would be his last day at the Pentagon. The White House was hoping it would have a new Defense Department secretary by Friday.

Not so fast.

It now looks like Democrats don’t have the votes to get Hagel confirmed, at least not yet.

That’s because Republicans are determined to block a straight up-or-down vote – at least for now – until Hagel turns over more information on his financial disclosure form and the Obama administration answers more questions about last year’s attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Read more ....

Update: Dems lack votes to dodge Hagel filibuster -- Washington Times

My Comment: It looks like the White House is going to have to provide the information that is being requested in order to get this nomination approved. As an outsider I find this process very strange .... why is Chick Hagel and the White House so resistant in providing the info that is being requested .... why the obstruction?

U.S. Senator Reid: Republicans Have Blocked Chuck Hagel's Nomination For U.S. Secretary Of Defense

Chuck Hagel Blocked: Harry Reid Says He Doesn’t Have The Votes -- Politico

Chuck Hagel’s path to the Pentagon struck another major roadblock on Thursday when Senate Republicans kept up their threat to filibuster, throwing the nomination into limbo as Congress prepared to quit town for a weeklong recess.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor that Republicans were blocking Hagel over their demands that he and the White House give more information about Hagel’s background and the Sept. 11 Benghazi attacks.

Angry Democrats slammed that move, contending Hagel has cleared every bar on his financial disclosures and that he has nothing to do with Benghazi – and that the appearance of a headless Pentagon would only invite trouble for national security.

Read more ....

More News On Chuck Hagel's Nomination For US Defense Secretary

Senator Reid says Republicans are blocking Hagel -- Reuters
Hagel nomination hits a wall -- NBC
Hagel Hangs By Two Votes; Republicans Launch First Filibuster Against A SecDef Nominee -- Aol Defense
Leading Senate Republicans Set to Block Hagel’s Confirmation -- New York Times
Reid: Republicans blocking Hagel’s nomination -- Washington Post
Republicans vow to go to war with filibuster over Hagel -- FOX News
Biden works the phone, Hagel nomination down to the wire -- CNN

Update: Oh oh .... if there is a video tape of this speech, even the Democrats will start to bail out on Hagel.

Update #2: This is getting serious .... Arab-American group won’t release Hagel tape.

Chuck Hagel's Nomination As US Secretary Of Defense Facing Republican Filibuster

TRENDING: Outcome Of Hagel Filibuster Vote Uncertain -- CNN

Washington (CNN) - Chuck Hagel’s bid to lead the Pentagon faces an uncertain outcome on a critical vote Friday as Democrats attempt to break a GOP filibuster of the defense secretary nominee.

Despite optimism from administration officials, who believe Hagel will get the five GOP votes he needs to end the filibuster, senior congressional sources in both parties are less positive. They told CNN they now are not sure he will get the votes.

Doubts were raised Wednesday after Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said he was reconsidering his pledge not to filibuster Hagel because the Obama administration was refusing to provide key details about the president’s actions on the night of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Republicans Are Starting To Filibuster Chuck Hagel's Nomination As US Secretary Of Defense

Hagel confirmation will take 60 votes -- Washington Post
Defense Pick Needs 60 Votes for Nomination to Advance -- Wall Street Journal
Republicans begin filibuster against Hagel -- L.A. Times
Harry Reid sets the stage for Chuck Hagel showdown -- Politico
GOP prevents vote on Hagel as Defense secretary -- L.A. Times
Senate Democrats, Accusing G.O.P. of Obstruction, Try to Force Hagel Vote -- New York Times
Key senator calls Hagel’s views on threats facing US ‘unsettling’ as floor vote is scheduled -- Washington Post
Senate to vote Friday on Chuck Hagel -- Politico
Hagel Becomes First Filibustered Defense Nominee -- NPR

My Comment: What's my take .... like I said yesterday ... it will be close but the votes to filibuster are not there. But tomorrow is another day.

Will Hagel's Nomination To Be The Next U.S. Defense Secretary Be Blocked By The U.S. Senate?

U.S. President Barack Obama meeting with co-chairmen of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board former Senator Chuck Hagel at the White House in Washington, October 28, 2009. Photo by Reuters

Hagel Will Need 60 Votes To Get Confirmed As Defense Secretary -- Foreign Policy

The Senate Armed Services Committee was set to approve the nomination of Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense Tuesday, but several Republican senators told The Cable they will insist he receive 60 votes on the Senate floor before he is confirmed.

The committee debated the Hagel nomination in anticipation of a Tuesday afternoon vote that is expected to fall along party lines, with all committee Republicans voting against the nomination. After the committee acts, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is expected to call for a final floor vote on Thursday, just before the Senate goes on vacation. Several GOP senators told The Cable Tuesday that they will not agree to a simple up or down vote on the Senate floor this week, including Senate Armed Services Committee ranking Republican James Inhofe (R-OK), Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), John McCain (R-AZ), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

(UPDATE: The committee approved Hagel late Tuesday by a 14-11 vote that fell along party lines.)

Read more ....

My Comment: Will there be 60 votes? I personally believe there is .... but the vote is going to be close. As to how this nomination was handled .... to put it bluntly it was a train wreck. Chuck Hagel's confirmation hearing was a mess, his initial refusal to release financial information .... and when pressured only a portion was then released .... does not bode well in his future dealings with Congress. But what is striking about this entire process is how the White House has responded .... I could be wrong but from where I have been sitting I cannot help but feel that they are totally disengaged.

In A Bitterly Divided Committee Vote Hagel's Nomination For U.S. Defense Secretary Advances To The Senate Floor

Senate Committee Advances Hagel Nomination For Defense Secretary -- Washington Post

Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee backed former senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska to lead the Pentagon on Tuesday afternoon, paving the way for the full Senate to vote on President Obama’s nominee this week.

The committee vote predictably split along party lines, with the 14 Democrats voting in favor of moving the nomination to the floor and 11 Republicans voting no. One Republican was absent.

Democrats backed the former Republican lawmaker despite a performance during his Jan. 31 confirmation hearing that even supporters called underwhelming. Republicans on the committee continued to voice strong reservations about Hagel, who has faced persistent questions about his views on Iran, Israel and nuclear policy.

Read more ....

More News On The US Defense Secretary Nomination Process For Chuck Hagel

Hagel Nomination Clears Panel After Combative Debate -- New York Times
Divided Senate panel approves Obama nomination of Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary -- Washington Post/AP
Embattled Hagel clears key Senate hurdle -- CNN
Senate panel approves Hagel nomination as Pentagon chief -- Reuters
Senate Armed Services Committee endorses Chuck Hagel 14-11 -- Politico
Chuck Hagel survives, now faces full Senate -- Politico
Chuck Hagel’s Nomination Heads to Senate After Partisan Committee Vote -- ABC News
Amid objections, Hagel clears first hurdle to confirmation -- CBS
Senate panel endorses Hagel for Pentagon in rare party-line vote -- FOX News
Senate panel OK's Hagel nomination; GOP senators could delay floor vote -- NBC
Chuck Hagel's nomination for defence post approved by Senate committee -- The Guardian

Are Lousy School Marks A Detriment To Being The Secretary Of Defense

Hagel Went to Five Colleges, Was 'D' Student; Media Oblivious -- Breitbart

Remember when the mainstream media mocked a politician who had to attend five colleges to graduate, whose academic record was less than outstanding, and whose subsequent success was proof of nothing? Remember how that was supposed to be a threat to national security, the economy, and so much else?

That was so 2008, so Sarah Palin.

It turns out that former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), who is now awaiting confirmation as Secretary of Defense, attended five colleges and was a "D" student. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam, and returned having been awarded two Purple Hearts. He pulled himself together, graduated, and went on to a successful career. Nevertheless, the media's double standard is glaring when compared to the way Palin was treated.

Read more ....

My Comment: So he did not do well in school when he was young. But he did join the military. Served in Vietnam. Came back and went to school. Graduated. And proceeded with a successful career. Good for him. But it is true that there is a double standard in play .... and this should not surprise us .... the media is what the media does.

Why The Hagel Confirmation Vote Was Postponed

Former Senator Chuck Hagel testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be Defense Secretary, on January 31, 2013. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Hagel Tells Lawmakers He Can't Provide Details On Speaking Engagements, Foreign Funders -- Buzz Feed

“He is basically telling Senators they have no right to know if he has been unduly influenced by foreign governments or foreign agents over the last five years. What is he hiding?” GOP aide says.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, has informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that he will not provide foreign financial details for the corporate and nonprofit organizations he was affiliated with since he left the Senate in 2009.

Republican members of the committee asked Hagel last week for information on whether any of the organizations received funding from any foreign government, individual, or corporation — a request he declined late Tuesday in a letter citing confidentiality agreements.

Read more ....

Update: Hagel Vote Postponed. Financial concerns, lack of disclosures hold up Hagel vote -- Washington Free Beacon

My Comment: If true .... this is potentially serious and embarrassing for the White House. I would think that such information was vetted before he was nominated .... and then passed onto the Senate committee. Apparently not. So far it is only the conservative blogs that are reporting on this story, but I will not be surprised if the mainstream media will start to ask the same questions in the next day or two .... and after that .... if Chuck Hagel wants to be confirmed he better find a way to provide the info that is being requested.

U.S. Secretary Of Defense Nominee Chuck Hagel Confirmation Put On Hold By Senate Committee

Chuck Hagel, the defense secretary nominee, facing the Senate Armed Services Committee. Christopher Gregory/The New York Times

Senate Committee Postpones Vote On Hagel Confirmation -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The Senate Armed Services Committee delayed a vote on Chuck Hagel's confirmation as secretary of defense, the panel's chairman said on Wednesday, amid Republican demands for more information from President Barack Obama's nominee.

"The committee's vote on Senator Hagel's nomination has not been scheduled," Senator Carl Levin said in a statement. "I had hoped to hold a vote on the nomination this week, but the committee's review of the nomination is not yet complete."

But the delay is not expected to mean that Hagel will not be confirmed. The former senator's backers are still confident he will succeed the retiring Leon Panetta as Pentagon chief. They attributed the postponement to Republican insistence on political posturing.

Levin, a Democrat, said he intended to schedule a vote as soon as possible.

Read more ....

More News On The Confirmation Of U.S. Secretary Of Defense Nominee Chuck Hagel Being Put On Hold By The U.S. Senate

Senate panel postpones vote on Hagel nomination as GOP demands more info -- FOX News/AP
Hagel nomination vote delayed -- Washington Times
Senate panel's vote on Hagel nomination won't come Thursday -- CNN
Senate Republicans Play Coy on Hagel Filibuster or ‘Hold’ -- Defense News
Levin Says Hagel Confirmation Vote Won’t Happen This Week -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Hagel vote up in air -- UPI
Hagel Will Be Confirmed Whenever the Senate Gets Around to Voting on Him -- The Atlantic

My Comment: He will still be confirmed .... the Democrats are not going to block President Obama's nominee .... but in view of how he performed in his appearance in front of the committee last week .... and on how bad it was .... the concerns and doubts that some of these senators have been voicing are certainly justified.