2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe Larger Question of Chuck Hagel
The up-in-the-air nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense Secretary has become a test of whether the Israel Lobby can still shoot down an American public servant who is deemed insufficiently passionate regarding Israel, a test that now confronts President Obama, says ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern.
The Israel Lobby is hell bent on sabotaging President Barack Obamas tentative plan to appoint former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. And with Obama now dithering about this selection the Lobby and its neocon allies sense another impending victory.
Perhaps The New Yorkers Connie Bruck described Hagels predicament best in assessing why the Israel Lobby is so determined to destroy the Nebraska Republican though he is a committed supporter of Israel.
But, as Bruck explained, Hagel did not make the obeisance to the lobby that the overwhelming majority of his Congressional colleagues do. And he further violated a taboo by talking about the lobby, and its power. Hagel had the audacity, in an interview for a 2008 book, to say something that you are not supposed to say in Official Washington, that the Israel Lobby pulls the strings on many members of Congress.
http://truth-out.org/news/item/13599-the-larger-question-of-chuck-hagel
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)MindMover
(5,016 posts)Last edited Sat Dec 29, 2012, 07:30 PM - Edit history (1)
Chuck's worldview is more like our Presidents and anyhow the President likes and trusts him ...
Who do you want ... ?
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)If he had said the bullshit he spewed about gay people and about a specific person for being gay about ANY other minority group, he would not even be in consideration by his own Party, but Obama sees that 'gays are not fit to serve' rhetoric as appealing, or as unimportant. Hagel is a bigot. What he said was unacceptable and should disqualify him as should his Republican status.
So yeah, his 'world view' is more like Rick Warren's or the President's than it is like a Democrat's.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)If I wanted republicans in the administration I would have voted republican
xxxsdesdexxx
(213 posts)and are against, but I'm not against those Republicans who aren't a part of the modern Republican ideology. Chuck Hagel is one of those who would not be welcomed in the modern Republican party, and I'm just fine with him being Secretary of Defense.
sammy27932003
(37 posts)I appreciate a leader that thinks for himself.I want someone who will put this country first.
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Obama is 'dithering' on the selection of Hagel.
And this just makes me want him to get the position even more.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)I have to say it is amazing to me that the folks who were so critical of McCain for attacking the potential Rice nomination in unfair and bigoted ways are so willing to support Hagel, whose anti gay comments were directed at-wait for it- another nominee for a diplomatic post. Why is it ok for Hagel to engage in that sort of attack on a nominee, but so very not ok for McCain?
What Hagel said about Clinton's nominee, Mr Hormel:
" "Ambassadorial posts are sensitive. They are representing America. They are representing our lifestyles, our values, our standards. And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay -- openly aggressively gay like Mr. Hormel -- to do a better job."
Can you show anything said about Rice that is even close to being that openly freely bigoted, prejudiced and ignorant? No. But it was very bad to criticize Rice, just fine to say Hormel's sexuality was an inhibiting factor to serving this nation.
The various standards used from moment to moment make my head spin.
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)apologized. And I am a firm believer that people, as they grow older, grow up and change their views. I make allowances for that, but it seems I might be in the minority.
So, something said decades ago will forever live with this man? What about his diplomatic creds? Do they not count, because they apparently don't for you, and a lot of other folks.
dsc
(52,130 posts)who offered a fairly lame apology only when he was being considered for the post? That is what Hagel did.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)He interviewed him (and WH staff intentionally made the meeting public) 3 weeks ago. Unless something has come out to disqualify him that we don't know about, let him go forward to hearings. Getting stupid now.