Joe Lieberman: Chuck Hagel Would Face 'Tough Confirmation Process' For Defense Post

[Purveyor]

A top outgoing senator on foreign policy issues, Joe Lieberman, told CNN on Sunday morning that former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel would likely face a "tough confirmation process" over his votes on Iran sanctions, were he nominated as the next secretary of defense -- but that he shouldn't be automatically eliminated.

President Barack Obama is expected to name his pick for the top Pentagon job in the coming days, and Hagel, a former Republican senator who broke with his party over the war in Iraq, is widely viewed as a leading contender.

Hagel has also faced pushback from Jewish and pro-Israel groups over his inconsistent voting record on Iranian sanctions and a small selection of remarks that have been interpreted as anti-Jewish. Friends of Hagel have dismissed the charges as absurd.

The independent senator from Connecticut, who is a leading figure of Congress' Jewish caucus and will retire at the end of the year, said he didn't think Hagel should be disqualified for the post based on his votes.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/23/joe-lieberman-chuck-hagel_n_2355703.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

[TwilightGardener]

1. Why would any Presidential cabinet pick be "disqualified" on the

basis of Senate votes? Has that ever happened before?

[Blasphemer]

2. Most certainly true given his positions but I think he'll be confirmed... nt

[budkin]

3. Glad about this one. No Republicans!

[Purveyor]

4. How many more of the Presidents 'first picks' can be scuttled before he starts to appear

spineless?

I sure the repukes will 'high-five' if Hagel is dropped.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Hagel is a Republican and a bigot of extraoridnary venom who should not be in government at all.

The horrid shit he said about a gay ambassador should disqualify him and would if he's said it about any other minority group. Because he attacked a gay person, folks think it is understandable and even here they defend this Republican.

[madinmaryland]

6. Mr. Irrelevant speaks. No one listens.