"we aren’t nominating Chuck Hagel to be Israel’s Secretary of Defense, but our own" [View all]

[phantom power]

Some Republicans are already freaking out over the potential nomination of Hagel:

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday expressed dismay at reports President Obama would tap former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for Secretary of Defense, calling it an “in your face” selection.

“He has long severed his ties with the Republican party. This is an in your face nomination of the president to all of us who are supportive of Israel,” he added.

What’s so amazing to me is that Graham, who used to be (I don’t know if he still is) a reserve JAG officer, swore an oath when he joined the military. Here it is:

I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Oddly enough, there is not one word in there about Israel. Maybe Graham isn’t clear that we aren’t nominating Chuck Hagel to be Israel’s Secretary of Defense, but our own.

...So I want to have this fight. Let’s let Graham and all the others go in front of a camera and proclaim to the world that their top consideration for the American Secretary of Defense is… his deference to foreign nation. Bring it on, Lindsey.

http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/01/06/i-want-to-have-this-fight-too/