Why Obama picked Hagel
But inside the White House, the choice makes sense. It appeals to Obama’s bipartisan spirit — and the optics aren’t bad, either — to have any Republican as Defense secretary when Obama is seeking to end the war in Afghanistan and dramatically reduce the Pentagon’s budget. Hagel brings even more credibility to the task because he’s a decorated Vietnam veteran and would be the first from that war to lead the Pentagon…
A Democratic official who believes Hagel will be confirmed stressed that once he is formally nominated, the Nebraskan will have enthusiastic support from veterans organizations. Hagel would be the first defense secretary who served as an enlisted man — an idea that will be popular with the troops, the official said, and Hagel’s defenders are sure to emphasize that he earned two Purple Hearts and still carries shrapnel in his chest…
Senior Republicans said there is no natural base for Hagel despite his years in the Senate.
“I can’t imagine why [Obama] would choose to burn his political capital on this nomination. For what? There is no constituency for Chuck Hagel,” one senior GOP aide said. “Obama will expend every ounce of political capital he has to get him across the finish line. Dems will hate this.”
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Because he’s too lazy to actually do it himself and so was guided toward Hagel by some minion.
Bark couldn’t choose which tie to wear, choosing department heads is way beyond his abilities.
Bishop on January 7, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Because he thinks he’s the best choice to keep America strong and safe?
forest on January 7, 2013 at 12:12 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Who writes this stuff with a straight face?
Ca97 on January 7, 2013 at 12:16 PM
1. Hagel hates the Pentagon/Defense.
2. Hagel hates Israel.
3. Obama likes Hagel.
Schadenfreude on January 7, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Umm… The spirit of bipartisan opposition?
Illinidiva on January 7, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Because hes an anti semite
jp on January 7, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Not good for Israel. Her closest ally has chosen someone that would be confrontational. God bless you, Israel.
tommy71 on January 7, 2013 at 12:27 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Who writes this stuff with a straight face?
Ca97 on January 7, 2013 at 12:16 PM
It’s a very tiny spirit but a spirit nonetheless.
CW on January 7, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Obama and Hagel share a mutual hatred for Israel.
portlandon on January 7, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Because the freak [Obama] has doubled down on and gotten away with everything his little heart has desired so far?
yubley on January 7, 2013 at 12:33 PM
What Obama is telling world is he sides with Iran over Israel.
jp on January 7, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Why? Thumb in the eye politics. As usual for Obama.
But really, Hagel’s politics is about what you’d expect from Obama. The only difference is that he used to be a Republican. I don’t see how that makes him more disqualified than a similar person who’s always been a Democrat.
besser tot als rot on January 7, 2013 at 12:44 PM
Because the chicken has already crossed the road.
And because Obysmal wants to see how far that he can push the audacity schtick.
onlineanalyst on January 7, 2013 at 12:44 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Hagel#Foreign_policy
so he is an obama buddy from the times of the senator obama… apart from that, i read somewhere else that he is a “non interventionist” which appeals a lot to me. he was even against the libya war…
so confirm him already, i am not going to hate anybody just because he is buddy with obama.
nathor on January 7, 2013 at 12:48 PM
I’ll tel you why Obama wants Hagel in as Dec. of Defense. When Obama dismantles the military budget he can say “see, a Republican was in charge.” It’s all about finger pointing.
Warner Todd Huston on January 7, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Obama thinks Israel needs to make concessions.
Paul-Cincy on January 7, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Why Hagel?
For the same reason he kept Robert Gates on. So when everything goes to hell (as planned) he’s got a Republican to blame.
Mitoch55 on January 7, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Of course not! Why ever would the optics look bad with an anti-semitic, anti-gay, pro-Iran, pro-Hamas, and pro-Hezbollah pick for Secretary of Defence? /
Resist We Much on January 7, 2013 at 12:53 PM
The mockery has been swift and spot-on …
http://twitchy.com/2013/01/07/aching-sides-politico-says-hagel-pick-shows-obamas-bipartisan-spirit/
Pork-Chop on January 7, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Because it gives the media an opportunity to conflate Hagel’s views as GOP party views.
theperfecteconomist on January 7, 2013 at 12:57 PM
Obama is big on useful idiots?
Joey24007 on January 7, 2013 at 1:14 PM
The gop aide quoted is a moron. What does it take for these people to understand that obama doesn’t play by their beltway political rules?
Joey24007 on January 7, 2013 at 1:15 PM
With our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, the defense budget could use a little dismantling. Given that we have no real military rivals and our main enemies are non-state actors, there is no reason why we need to continue spending over $200 billion a year more on defense than the next nine countries COMBINED! This chart, from the International Institute of Strategic Studies, is a real eye-opener:
http://www.iiss.org/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=63588&type=full&servicetype=Inline&customSizeId=0
cam2 on January 7, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Dems don’t hate this. Look around.
They drink the koolaid and do as they are told.
Moesart on January 7, 2013 at 1:58 PM
FIFY
Shy Guy on January 7, 2013 at 1:58 PM