US President Barack Obama will nominate former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to be his defence secretary, and an announcement could come on Monday (today), a congressional Democratic aide said on Sunday.
The choice will likely set up a confirmation battle in the Senate over whether the former Nebraska senator strongly supports key US ally Israel. Hagel also has been criticised for comments he made questioning the effectiveness of sanctions on Iran for its nuclear programme. This fight would come after the Obama administration backed down from a tough Senate confirmation battle over Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations who was Obama’s first pick to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Rice withdrew her name from consideration after drawing heavy fire from Republicans for remarks she made in the aftermath of a Sept. 11 attack on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya. “The administration has a lot of work to do on Hagel. He is in a weaker position now than Rice ever was because Rice would have rallied Democrats behind her,” a Senate Democratic aide said.
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Hagel is a good man — an honorable person …
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The nominated boss of US military machines has to fight his way through Senate confirmation proceedings before he takes the driving seat to stop and think about US global wars. He is a staunch critic of Israel and some believe that if he had earned ire of Israel, he may have to work very hard to be appointed US Defense Secretary. Criticizing Israel is no less than an act of blasphemy and criticism by someone from the US can dash all his hopes to be someone important in the administration. Sen. Chuck Hegel from Nebraska and a decorated Vietnam veteran, recently nominated to take the reins of US war machine as Secretary Defense is expected to face tough resistance from pro-Israeli lobby in the Senate. His acts of commission include the unforgivable stand against Israel. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate where Republicans are keenly awaiting to quiz him on Israel and his other controversial views resented by Israel. They openly describe him to be the most antagonistic secretary of defence towards the state of Israel in our nation's history. Does his nomination for the coveted slot give any indication of US ignoring the concerns of its ally, Israel? Can he survive the onslaught and be confirmed by pro-Israeli lobby in the Senate? Read more at: http://passivevoices.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/can…
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