While in the Senate, Hagel defended his position by saying, “I’m a United States senator. I’m not an Israeli senator.”
Glaser adds that Hagel has been brought through the gauntlet by the GOP and conservative pundits because they refuse to forgive him for departing from their interventionist doctrine.
New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte said, “If he is nominated and comes before the Senate Armed Services Committee, I plan to vigorously question him on his prior statements, and [his positions on Israel and Iran], in particular.”
In 2006, when asked about Iran, Hagel replied, “I do not expect any kind of military solution on the Iran issue…. I think to further comment on it would be complete speculation, but I would say that a military strike against Iran, a military option, is not a viable, feasible, responsible option. Iran is a complicated issue.”
Too many elected officials in DC wish to continue the policies of endless war and wish to continue funding foreign governments. They support these policies so much that when someone speak out against them, instead of defending their position, they attack the person speaking out.
Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft says, “He got two Purple Hearts on the front line. That’s about the best recommendation you can get from somebody whose job would be to advise on the use of troops around the world.”
I think it’s about time the Secretary of Defense wasn’t a war-monger seeking to continue the growth of the American Empire. Maybe, just maybe, Chuck Hagel will be able to convince President Obama to halt to drone wars and actually begin bringing troops home from around the globe!