WASHINGTON (OfficialWire) — Chuck Hagel was blunt-spoken in the Senate,even when bucking fellow Republicans. Now opponents in his own party and elsewhere are using Hagel’s words against him.
The Vietnam veteran and former two-term senator from Nebraska will need to explain some of his comments and views as President Barack Obama’s choice for the next secretary of defense. A look at past remarks likely to come up during his confirmation hearing:
Hagel,who says he’s a strong supporter of Israel,stirred bad feelings by referring to pro-Israeli interests as “the Jewish lobby” and suggesting they wield undue power in Washington.
“The Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people. … I’ve always argued against some of the dumb things they do,because I don’t think it’s in the interest of Israel,” Hagel told former Mideast peace negotiator and author Aaron David Miller in a 2006 interview.
Hagel continued:“I’m not an Israeli senator. I’m a United States senator. I support Israel,but my first interest is,I take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States,not to a president,not to a party,not to Israel.”
Read More at officialwire.com . By Connie Cass.