Posted by Greg Sargent on December 21, 2012 at 4:01 pm
...But in an interview this afternoon, (click here) the target of the 1998 slur, leading gay philanthropist James Hormel, told me he never received an apology from Hagel himself, questioned the sincerity of the apology, and said the incident should still raise questions about whether Hagel is the right man to oversee the repeal of don’t ask don’t tell....
If Hormel came on to the Senator then it is he that should apologize. I think Senator Hagel is married. The former Senator is not being nominated to Secretary of State, it is the DOD and Hagel has a reputation that dictates prudent decision making when approaching the role of the USA in the world.
Senator Hagel is a conservative in the truest sense of the word. He doesn't like WASTEFUL SPENDING, putting young American lives in harm's way without a definitive reason and he won't put up with pork barrel projects and costly overruns.
The real reason for opposing Senator Hagel to the Department of Defense was stated in The Washington Post:
...The editors of the Washington Post (click here) surprise us this morning by opposing Hagel strongly for his views on defense cuts and Iran: “Mr. Hagel’s stated positions on critical issues, ranging from defense spending to Iran, fall well to the left of those pursued by Mr. Obama during his first term — and place him near the fringe of the Senate that would be asked to confirm him ....
Senator Hagel's greatest strength is his ability to be honest, examine the facts and change his mind. He changed his mind on Iraq and while he saw no reason for sanctions with Iran, he may change his name.
The greatest hurdle to effective sanctions with Iran is the demand for natural gas as an alternative to Russia's Gasprov. It is why the EU doesn't like to move on sanctions to Iran. They want Iran's natural gas.
Senator Hagel can speak for himself, but, I always believed he didn't endorse sanctions with Iran because they are unenforceable. Pakistan was going to continue a relationship with Iran no matter what the EU and USA did to limit foreign trade and impose sanctions. Once Musharraf was no longer in the Presidency and Zadari was elected, the change in Pakistan's position with Iran was obvious and the pipeline is still under contention. So, Senator Hagel may very well see the USA relationship with Iran has changed and the sanctions more enforceable.
Senator Hagel's greatest strength is he does not endore war as a first strategy against any country, including Iranb.
Senator Hagel's greatest strength is he does not endore war as a first strategy against any country, including Iranb.
