Obama's Cabinet - Term 2

[HairOfTheDog]

I think he picked Hagel intentionally to pick a fight.

He knows this guy has tons of baggage, but just wants to say "Hey, I even nominated a Republican for SOD, and they won't even accept one of their own!".

It's all about building support against the Congress for the upcoming debt ceiling fight.

You may be right. On the other hand, I think that Obama may simply believe that Hagel is his best choice for SOD.

Obama and Hagel were aligned when they both questioned the motives and policies of the Iraqi invasion and Cheney's statements in 2005 that its end was near. I think that Hagel spoke the truth as he saw it, which pissed off Republicans (though it turned out that there were in fact no WMDs as was touted to gain support of the invasion, and the war did indeed stretch out much longer). Hagel and Obama have also traveled to Iraq together and Hagel has years of senatorial experience, along with being a Purple Heart veteran of the Vietnam War.

As for the criticism regarding his statements about Israel's significant influence on American foreign policy, I don't really understand the uproar. Israel and the Jewish lobby does have a great deal of influence in that regard and has for decades. Too much? IDK, but making statements about that influence shouldn't disqualify anyone from the SOD position, in my opinion. We need to review and address our Middle East relations, influences and policies more openly and honestly as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, even though I'm as far to the left of Hagel as Obama is when it comes to abortion, gay marriage and other social issues, those issues don't matter when it comes to the SOD position. I don't object to seeing someone who's straight up, regardless of party lines, being in a position of high authority. Perhaps Obama welcomes that as well, trusts Hagel and considers him well qualified. Or, perhaps I'm giving Obama too much credit. IDK.

It's an important position and I hope the nomination is being made with good faith intentions.