John Cornyn (Republican senator) recently came out attacking Hagel. Here's what Cornyn said:
On Iran:
“He appears to believe [a nuclear-armed] Iran can be contained. [ Defense Secretary Leon] Panetta and the president have said a nuclear weapon is a red line. He’s not even consistent with the secretary of defense and the administration.”
On nuclear weapons:
Cornyn referred to Hagel’s support for a group that favors elimination of all nuclear weapons: “On the issue of nuclear weapons he’s embraced Global Zero. It strikes me as particularly naive … To have a secretary of Defense who believes all nuclear weapons should be eliminated is . . . well, just over the top.”
On Afghanistan:
Cornyn also objected to Hagel’s remark in 2009 that “I’m not sure we know what the hell we are doing in Afghanistan.” (Although Cornyn did not cite it specifically, Hagel also remarked in 2011 that the U.S. ”lost our purpose, our objective” in Afghanistan.)
On the defense budget:
In addition, Cornyn took strong issue with Hagel on defense sequestration. “He basically believes the Defense Department can sustain the sort of Draconian cuts contained in sequestration — something Leon Panetta has said would be debilitating.”
Those are some pretty good positions I think! Makes me think that Hagel could be a pretty good choice!
I know that others are upset because he is a Republican or because he said nasty things about gays. I am all for Democrats and all for gays. But Hagel has apologized for his statement. Hagel probably doesn't agree with many of my views. But give me a defense secretary that will work to reduce nuclear weapons, I will definitely put up with a lot for that!