So said Former Senator Max Cleland about the possibility of another former Senator Chuck Hagel serving as the Secretary of Defense. And for all the weaknesses Hagel has, alas as a Republican, I agree with Senator Cleland that he is extremely well qualified for the purpose he will be asked to serve.
Pictured is Senator Cleland, who lost both his legs and an arm when while serving in combat in Vietnam, as he greets President Carter. This man, who has given so much for his country, is EXCITED to see two Vietnam War veterans serve at the highest levels.
“Look at John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, two wounded combat veterans of the Vietnam War. They’ve got five purple hearts between them. That’s the kind of people we want withdrawing from Afghanistan and ending this insane war and occupation and focusing the country on using the American military to stay out war, but if we get in war to win war and win it quickly,” he said.
"I see them as the perfect dynamic duo — Batman and Robin, Salt and Pepper, Tom and Jerry. Whatever you want to call it, instead of State and DoD fighting each other all the time as is historically the case, I see them hand-in-glove together,” he said. The two “share a common background,” he added. “They have both been shot at and hit.”
As for criticism about Chuck Hagel, this is what Senator Cleland had to say:
“You can’t take one comment by somebody that has been in American politics for decades and hold it against him. You have to measure their whole outlook,” he said. “My understanding is Chuck has met with [the LGBT] community, that he’s met with the Jewish community and whether or not they’re satisfied with his stances, there’s no question in my mind that he is fully capable of embracing the basic rule that all Americans get a chance to serve if they want to.”
I wouldn't agree that Sen. Hagel would be right for any other position. But when President Obama asks him to serve as the Secretary of Defense, I think he will hit the nail on the head. This action will prove how much the President cares about the troops, when he gives two former wounded veterans the responsibility of putting those men and women in harms way.