You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade now to a modern browser in order to benefit of all our site's features: Chrome, FireFox, Opera, Safari or Internet Explorer. [Close]

The Official Blog of Fox News Channel

READ: Find Out Who Opposes Sen. Chuck Hagel's Nomination as Secretary of Defense

Below is a list of some of the politicians and notable people opposing Chuck Hagel's nomination as President Obama's Secretary of Defense. The president nominated Hagel in remarks made on Capitol Hill on Monday.

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC

  • "This is an in-your-face nomination by the president to all of us who are supportive of Israel...I think it's an incredibly controversial choice."
  • "He is an antagonistic figure when it comes to the state of Israel. It's a signal you're sending to Iran at the worst possible time and to our allies."
  • The Washington Post in an editorial "Chuck Hagel is not the right choice for defense secretary"

    • Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell

  • He has said "there would be a lot of tough questions of Senator Hagel."
  • "I think he'll be subjected to the same kind of oversight hearings that any nominee for such an important position would expect. And his views with regard to Israel, for example, and Iran and all the other positions that he's taken over the years will be very much a matter of discussion in the confirmation process."

    • Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R)

  • Obama nominating Hagel sends "the worst possible message" to Israel and other U.S. allies in the Middle East.

    "I will not support Chuck Hagel's nomination."

    • Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

  • "The president seems bound and determined to proceed down this path, despite the fact that Hagel's record is very, very troubling on the nation of Israel...I do think it is interesting that the president seems hell-bent on nominating him despite the fact that a number of prominent Republicans have criticized him and the Democratic senators have been surprisingly silent on it."
  • "It is very difficult to imagine the circumstance in which I could support his confirmation."

    • Log Cabin Republicans (Group that works within the Republican Party and advocates for gays and lesbians in the United States)

  • Took out a one page ad in the Washington Post claiming Hagel's apology in regards to his comment that an "openly, aggressively gay" man should not be an ambassador to represent the USA, was "too little, too late."

    • Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard

  • His Political Action Committee, Emergency Committee for Israel, aired ads on cable news saying "President Obama: For Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel is not a 'responsible option.'" This was due to Hagel's positions opposing sanctions on Iran, labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guards a terror group, and a military strike on the country.
  • "Is there any Hagel legislation?" Kristol asked. "Has he written anything memorable? - said anything memorable?... Has he run anything big like the Pentagon?"

    • Abe Foxman, Director of Anti-Defamation League

  • Hagel "expressed himself in an interview about the power of the 'Jewish lobby,' declaring himself to be an American senator, not an Israeli senator. At the very least it's of concern to the American Jewish community, at the very most, it's very troubling."

    • Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat/NY

  • When asked on Meet the Press if he could support a Hagel nomination, he responded, "I'd have to study his record. I'm not going to comment until the President makes a nominee.

    • Rep. Elliot Engel, Democrat/NY - senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee

  • "It seems that there is some kind of an endemic hostility toward Israel. And that's troublesome for me and for a lot of other people. Obviously he served in the Senate for a number of years and he has done many good things. But I think in the sensitive post of secretary of defense those are warning bells, those are red lights. And I think that it's potentially troublesome."
    •
    Posted in: 
    // Chuck Hagel // Chuck Hagel Defense Secretary
    Leave a Comment0

    Today's Front Page Stories

    Fiery

    Pirro Blasts Obama Admin: “I'm Convinced My Mom Could Do a Better Job”

    O'Reilly Factor Surveys Americans on Benghazi and IRS ... With SHOCKING Results

    Charles Krauthammer: IRS Scandal Could Be "Fatal" for White House

    VIDEO: Aerial Video of Scene of Train Derailment

    ‘This Is An Outrage for All of America’: Rep. Kelly Blasts IRS Chief, Gets Huge Applause

    Fiery

    Megyn Kelly Lashes Out Over Carney’s False Benghazi Claims: ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great to Have Some Honesty?’

    Outrageous

    IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Heads Health Care Office

    Heartbreaking Video: Sister of Slain Travis Alexander Addresses Jury

    On Fox News Channel

    All Times Eastern

    6
    P

    IRS under fire! The White House's Dan Pfeiffer reacts. Then, Paul Ryan on Congress’ investigation!  Don’t miss Fox News Sunday tonight!
    9
    P

    No liberty and zero privacy - Is this the new America? Our investigation exposes the online threat! Tonight, John Roberts hosts Fox News Reporting: Your Secret’s Out.

     
    10
    P

    Small business owners, homebuyers, even disaster victims… Is Uncle Sam whacking its citizens into submission? Don’t miss a special Stossel!

    Who Won Fox and Friends' Great American Kayak Race?

    Funny

    VIRAL VIDEO: Father Makes Adorable Quadruplets Giggle

    Wait, What?!: Watch Bob Beckel's Cameo on '24'

    Crazy Video

    Crazy Video: Wrong-Way Driver Sends Car Crashing Into Swimming Pool

    GOOD NEWS

    Parents of Murdered NYC Children Expecting a Baby

    Bunga, Bunga: Ruby the Heart Stealer Says She Dressed as Nun for Berlusconi

    Don't want to keep checking back here for the latest from Fox News? That's cool. We'll come to you ...

    Connect with Fox News

    Subscribe

    Stay connected with the most-trusted name in cable news through exclusive videos, blogs, polls, contests and behind-the-scene details.

    Get More Fox!

    A Reporter’s Fate in the Balance

    Fox News’ Jana Winter still faces jail time simply for doing her job. In the words of Fox News’ Judge Napolitano: “Putting reporters in jail for revealing the truth while protecting their sources is highly offensive to the values the First Amendment was written to protect.” Read up on the full story here. 

    Sync Up With “Hannity Live”

    Visit on your tablet, smartphone, or computer during the show for an exclusive feed LIVE from the “Hannity” control room. The show’s producers will post videos, articles and slideshows related to what Sean and his guests are talking about in real time. 

    This is the place to join-up with other fans nightly. Test your knowledge in ‘Hannity’s History Exam,’ and take part in exclusive flash polls. So, tune in at 9p ET on Fox News Channel, and point your Internet browser to “Hannity Live.” It’s fun, it's easy, and it’s free!

    Greta Is Wired!

    GretaWire.com is the official blog of Greta Van Susteren. Get Greta’s breaking news alerts, pictures, videos, polls, and behind-the-scenes exclusives. Plus, speak out on open threads, as well as the live chat page. Connect to the GretaWire community ... and to Greta herself!