The Haggle over Hagel

The haggle over Hagel is nearly over. Sen Rubio was one of the first to speak, he would not vote for him because of Hagel's previous comments in regards to sanctions on Iran and direct negotiations with North Korea. " I don't believe I will be able to support his nomination after his answers the last hour."

Fellow republicans followed suit, with Blunt raising the same concerns over Iran and our relationship with Israel.

Sen Donnelly tried to continue to ask about Iran, but Hagel cut him off with "he could not speak on questions about Iran." Donnelly queried about 2.5 Billion is aid to Pakistan, but Hagel merely resounded the same we have heard over and over that Pakistan is complicated.

The hardest hitting was Sen Ted Cruz saying that the nominee had made hundreds of speeches and yet only four were delivered to them. Also financial records were missing. He blasted Hagel on  whether Israel had committed war crimes and Hagel chimed back, no they were defending themselves. Cruz also hit on a speech in 2006 where Hagel had said that "Israel had committed a sickening slaughter. "A 2009 interview on Al Jezeere Hagel had called Israel the worlds bully. Once again Cruz got Hagel to back down from his statements.

McCain came out pouncing at Hagel for a statement in 2001 where Hagel called Iraq a quagmire and disagreed with the surge in Irag and Afghanistan. McCain "The surge assisted with the objective." " Were we wrong or were we right?" Hagel "It was the most dangerous decision since Vietnam."  "Going to Iraq most dangerous decision since Vietnam."

Sen Linsey Grahm pressed Hagel on a letter sent to the EU by the senate urging them to impose sanctions against Hezbolah. Hagel refused to sign.

Sen Inhofe mentioned in 2000 Senators wrote to reaffirm their support to Israel and Hagel refused to sign. Another letter written with harsh sanctions on Iran, Hagel refused to sign. For these reasons Inhofe refused to vote for Hagel.

He was hard pressed and at times, unnerved, sometimes not able to respond. Even admitting at one time " I don't know enough about the defense department." One of the poorest nominees for one of the highest positions in our country. And yet he in all likely hood he will receive the call to serve.