Why Hagel? [View all]
It appears Chuck Hagel is going to be nominated for Defense Secretary. I was immediately against it when his name was first floated, but have since reconsidered after taking a look at those who are opposing him. For years, Hagel has been JAFO (just another fucking Republican) to me...but the caliber of his new enemies, more than anything, compelled me to take a second look.
I am in favor of his nomination, for one very large reason: the political orthodoxies of the DoD (spending, Israel, etc.) have remained largely untouched by the last 30 Defense Secretaries, no matter what their political affiliations have been. Chuck Hagel has long held a reputation for absolutely refusing to embrace those orthodoxies...which is why so many people are dead-set against his nomination.
I want there to be significant cuts to the Defense budget. So, I believe, does Obama. So, it is widely known, does Chuck Hagel...so why nominate a Republican to Defense?
Because only Nixon can go to China.
Who better to take on the bloat in defense spending? It's a very canny selection.
If your concern over his nomination centers around his late-90s gay-bashing, I offer this spirited defense of the Hagel nomination from Glenn Greenwald, who is himself gay, and who hasn't had a good thing to say about the Obama administration in almost four years: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/05/hagel-liberals-gays-israel-democrats
Flame away. 
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