IN DEFENSE

Sen. Chuck Schumer Backs Hagel For Defense Secretary

It's a key endorsement for smoothing the Senate confirmation process

Jan 15, 2013 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer says he now supports Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, helping to pave the way for his confirmation in the Senate.

When President Barack Obama announced Hagel as his pick, it raised concerns with some supporters of Israel like Schumer. But the influential New York Democrat said Hagel addressed all of his lingering doubts in a 90-minute Monday meeting at the White House, the Huffington Post reports

Schumer said he was concerned that Hagel in the past had encouraged President Obama to open direct talks with Hamas, considered to be a terrorist group. But Hagel assured him that he believes there should be no negotiations with Hamas, Hezbollah or any other terrorist group until they renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist, Schumer said in a statement.

Hagel had come under fire for describing American supporters of Israel as the "Jewish lobby," but he now "understands the sensitivity around such a loaded term and regrets saying it," Schumer said.

The former Republican senator from Nebraska also addressed Schumer's concerns about how he would handle Iran.

"Hagel made a crystal-clear promise that he would do 'whatever it takes' to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including the use of military force," Schumer said. "He said his 'top priority' as Secretary of Defense would be the planning of military contingencies related to Iran."

For opponents concerned about Hagel's stance on gay and lesbian members of the military, he said supports the full repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Schumer said.

Via the Huffington Post

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Jan '13

PNWest

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He's qualified, Obama wants him and he's even a republican. How much more bipartisan can Obama be?
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Jan '13

stepped_in_it

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Yeah, what he said! Next.....
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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How much you want to bet conservatives and wing nuts will be on here attackimg him? Saying if he were a real republican he would never do this for obama, saying he is a rino, etc.?
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Jan '13

jessejaymes

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This is a non issue. There is no person alive in the world that will please everyone in the country they are from. It's a non issue. Move on. Confirm him and stop smoke screening from serious issues.
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Jan '13

stepped_in_it

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@PoliticalSpice Do I have to name name's? Or can you give me a multiple choice (which I prefer...I always do better with multi-choice....LOL)
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@stepped_in_it Oh, I think this might be so easy you might get it even without multiple choice.
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Jan '13

Dan_Tien

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"...there should be no negotiations with Hamas, Hezbollah or any other terrorist group until they" admit defeat.
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Jan '13

RobertJHarsh

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I think I would support Hagel. We need to have direct talks with Hamas as well as Iran to resolve these problems. The US and Israel refuse to accept realities of what is happening in that region of the world, which is why groups get labeled as terrorists.
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Jan '13

OhWiseOne

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I completely agree with you.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@OhWiseOne What? Are you agreeing with a reasonable thought? Are you feeling alright today?
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Jan '13

OhWiseOne

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@PoliticalSpice Reasonable to you of course means agreeing with you. The only people I've seen who have a problem with Hagel's nomination are the Israeli-firsters who would betray the U.S. in a heartbeat if it benefitted Israel.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@OhWiseOne Well actually it dosn't mean agreeing with me in this case. I donot necessarily support Hagel, more like I agree with Harshs statements regarding needing to directly engage hamas and iran.
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Jan '13

Knightkore

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We DO NOT negotiate with terrorists....
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Jan '13

DARSB

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If he's confirmed, Sen Hagel will be the first SecDef ever who was first an enlisted man. I think I'd trust his judgement about boots on the ground and how to downsize the Pentagon budget without endangering the troops.
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Jan '13

Fishbone345

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Hell yes!
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Jan '13

DerivePI

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Poor Hagel. He doesn't need such negative publicity.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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Cute.
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Jan '13

artjeb

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When CHUCK SCUMMER gets involved it's a bunch of hot air.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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Probably wouldn't surprize you to learn I met him when he was still just a congressman.
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Jan '13

thejimbo

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Schumer had reservations about Hagel?

Is that supposed to be a joke ?
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Jan '13

Vance1

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New York Sen. Chuck Schumer says he now supports Chuck Hagel
wow a radical secular progressive socialist backing another one, who would have thought wright?
amazing!!!!!
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Jan '13

MadAmerican

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Oh MY GOD! Stop the press! NY Governor endorses someone? Woop te doo!
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Jan '13

mudpike

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I do not . But, just asking , when did Schumer , Pelosi , or any member of the Democrat Communist Party of America ever have an independent thought . Not that there's that much difference in the Parties , they are all puppets , dancing under the control of some master. Nothing less than 'term limits' on these Professional Elitist Prostitutes can restore some balance of power to the working class taxpayers who are the backbone of this country. It's not politicans , not welfare cradle to grave entitlements & not socialism.
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Jan '13

cpier14

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BEAUTIFUL is all I can say
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Would you like to see the Senate confirm Hagel as Secretary of Defense?

Would you like to see the Senate confirm Hagel as Secretary of Defense?