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Hagel squeaks through committee vote

February 12, 2013 by 2 Comments

The Senate Armed Services Committee narrowly endorsed former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense late Tuesday. All 14 Democrats on the committee voted to approve; all 11 Republican voted no. What makes the vote especially unusual is the fact that Hagel is himself a Republican.

His supporters lauded his service in Vietnam, according to Fox News:

But critics pointed to Hagel’s history of controversial votes and statements regarding Iran, Israel, terror groups, the Iraq war and other issues.

Further, they panned what was widely regarded as a rocky performance by Hagel during his recent confirmation hearing. It is rare for the Senate to be this divided on a Cabinet nomination of this magnitude.

“His performance before this committee was the worst that I have seen for any nominee for office,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, according to Fox News.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., another senator opposing Hagel, said, “There are very few people who have been this wrong about so many things.”

A vote for confirmation before the full Senate will probably come before the end of the week, most likely Thursday, Fox News said.

Read more at Fox News.

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About Michael Dorstewitz

Mike is a retired lawyer who has written for BizPac Review almost from the beginning. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeBPR.

Comments

  1. KB Cook says:
    February 13, 2013 at 6:15 AM

    Hagel is much worse than a second-rate as a candidate – but what do you expect from the naked emperor who is lower than low?

    Reply
  2. Big Dem says:
    February 13, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    This man is unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. Please write your senators and tell them you want them to demand Hagel withdraw from consideration. Insist he not be given a vote and if Reid forces a vote, insist Nelson and Rubio vote “NO.” Call and write today! Implore your friends to do the same. (personally, I buy prestamped postcards from the post office in batches of 100 at the time. Quick, easy and cheap. And a letter is more powerful than an email. For those of you who are squimish about attaching your name and email address to anything that goes to Washington, a postcard can be sent without a return address).

    Reply

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