Today President Obama announced his new nominee for Secretary of Defense will be former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel. When I first heard reports Hagel would be the choice a few weeks ago I was weary about a Democratic president appointing another GOP Daddy to the Defense Department, but then I was reminded of the outspoken stand Hagel took against the Iraq War after it became clear it was devolving into a civil war. Hagel opposed Bush's surge and staked out a position to the left of even some of his Democratic colleagues.
It's clear many Republicans haven't forgotten his heresy by their muted to hostile reactions. Neocon pundits like Bill Kristol and former Romney campaign stenographer Jennifer Rubin are downright apoplectic at the thought of Hagel being confirmed due to what they claim is his hostility to Israel. The ire of Rubin and Kristol are enough to make me support Hagel, but his brave Iraq War opposition seals the deal.
My hope is that Hagel's confirmation will show that it is possible to break with Washington's pro-war, Israel-must-never-be-questioned consensus and still advance to higher office. I doubt Hagel's appointment will result in much policy change, but it's a first step.
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