Chuck Hagel: Obama's Secretary Of Defense?

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Chuck Hagel, Republican senator from Nebraska, is rumored to be on the short list for President-Elect Obama's cabinet. Obama has said that he'd like to reach across the aisle in his cabinet picks and for a period Hagel was rumored to be on the short list for VP, which may have countered John McCain well as Hagel is also a decorated Vietnam Vet. Hagel has said that he will be retiring from the senate, which might leave him available to fill Gates' vacancy after Gates leaves office, which may not be immediately following inauguration.

Several sources have listed Hagel as a possible cabinet member, specifically in the Secretary of Defense position. Bill Richardson, who is also a cabinet candidate has said that Hagel would work well in an Obama cabinet.

Hagel has also left himself open to be recruited by President-Elect Obama, according to a source.

While the source wouldn't give up much, there was no denying that there has always been an open channel of communication with the Obama campaign, since Biden was picked to become future VP. Biden and Hagel are very good friends -- both as Senate colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee and as close personal friends who talk often.

Could Biden be talking to Hagel about a job as "a friend" instead of in his official capacity as VP-elect? Entirely possible, but not knowable -- or confirmable -- at this point.

Comments

[Forest]

02:35 PM on 11/18/2008

If it's true that US CODE Title 10,113 prohibits Wes Clark's appointment at this time as Defense Secretary, I think Chuck Hagel would be a strong and forthright alternative and could prove himself to be the best choice.

[HerbTee]

01:24 PM on 11/07/2008

Chuck Hagel would be an EXCELLENT choice for SecDef and if Obama wants to have a bipartisan Cabinet. But I can't help wondering what has happened to General Wesley Clark! He is still my original first choice and he is still high on my list. Where are you General Clark? Did Clark upset Obama with his remarks towards McCain where he is no longer viable? Clark's remarks about McCain was spot on. Perhaps Clark's rabid earlier support of Hillary has damaged him with Obama.

[cassiopex]

10:14 AM on 11/07/2008

Yes he gets my kudos for 2 reasons: he cares about the SOLDIERS and veterans not only about the army and he had the guts to call upon his own party shortcomings and errors when needed. A Republican that is not self-indulgent, delusional and a "compassionate" conservative faker is a rare sight and a precious ally.

[Lhotse]

08:40 AM on 11/07/2008

And let's not forget that Hagel was the first high-ranking elected republican to talk straight on the Iraq debacle.

[roshni]

10:21 PM on 11/06/2008

I would like to see Wes. Clark get this position, but if not Chuck Hagel is a good choice.

[imusintheevening]

02:10 PM on 11/06/2008

Hagel is a good choice for a cabinet position, Defense or HS.

[sposton]

11:33 AM on 11/06/2008

Hagel is a solid choice for Defense Secretary. Obama is a true "uniter" and I believe he will live up to this label. We must bring bipartisanship back to foreign and defense policies. The partisanship that Bush has injected into these traditionally bipartisan policy areas has been toxic to us and allies around the world. Just witness the difference between Rumsfeld and Gates.

[Harmony1812]

11:27 AM on 11/06/2008

I would love to see Wes Clark in a high cabinet position, but it seems that if Obama can pick staff as well as he chose campaign people, we will have a great administration.

[FirstShirt]

01:33 PM on 11/06/2008

I would love to see Wes Clark where he deserves to be: handing out towels in the mens room.

[RealityBeatsDenial]

02:58 PM on 11/06/2008

Exactly what valuable service have you provided to the gool ol' U.S. of A.? Surely nothing that compares (if anything at all) to what Wes Clark has done for us - including you.

[leeman79]

10:48 AM on 11/06/2008

Chuck Hagel is a perfect pick. He completely understands the seriousness and sacrifice of war. Chuck was an enlisted man with the 1st ID in vietnam, and a decorated combat veteran with the combat infantryman's badge. While the current "chickenhawks" were drunk at a frat party dancing around with a lampshade on their head, guys like Chuck Hagel, Jim Webb, and Wesley Clarke were wading thru a rice paddy getting shot at. Chuck is a real american hero, and would serve this post well.

[FirstShirt]

01:34 PM on 11/06/2008

Good point. Obama served where?

[leeman79]

02:05 PM on 11/06/2008

We're not talking about president elect Obama. We're talking about senator Hagel being the right man for the job. So, with all due respect first sergeant, what's your point?

[indi1216]

02:30 PM on 11/06/2008

and Bush where did he served? Oh yes big oil and wall street

[petsounds]

10:31 AM on 11/06/2008

If last week's New Yorker article is accurate, Hegel would be an excellent choice.

Screw the meme!

[BLinCincinnati]

10:30 AM on 11/06/2008

Hagel will be Sec of Vet Affairs in my opinion.

[qaz000]

08:26 AM on 11/06/2008

Several people in the blogosphere have pointed out that it is important for Obama to appoint a democrat to Secretary of Defense in order to alleviate the meme that only Republicans can be secretary of defense. (Why people believe this given how badly the Repbulicans have screwed up, I don't know.) But I would also like to see him appoint a Democrat who actually believes in only using the military as a last resort. Instead of these Republicans who seem to think that the military is a toy to play with.

Why isn't anyone talking about Wes Clark for Secretary of Defense?

[BLinCincinnati]

10:25 AM on 11/06/2008

Simple reason....

US CODE: Title 10,113. Secretary of Defense:

"A person may not be appointed as Secretary of Defense within 10 years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force."

Clark retired May 2, 2000. His 10 years wouldn't be up until May 3, 2010.

That's why you don't hear about him.

[mercuryguy]

10:42 AM on 11/06/2008

Thanks for sharing that info

[FirstShirt]

01:35 PM on 11/06/2008

And, he is not respected by the millitary. But your information is on point.

[roshni]

10:22 PM on 11/06/2008

I am - Clark would be my first choice, but Hagel is a very good choice as well.

[jackstpaul]

12:34 AM on 11/06/2008

The reason Hagel or another GOPer is being considered for Def. is that Obama has very publicly committed himself to a bi-partisan administration.

State, AG, and Def are the three top Cabinet slots. Def Sec is far less of a policymaking position than the other 2. Managing troops, missiles, planes, bullets under policy directives from Congress and the Prez allows for far less individual influence than State or AG. That's why there's talk of Hagel et al. for Def.

Obama needs--by his own rhetoric about the issue--to appoint a GOPer to a major cabinet position. After those 3, things drop off a cliff to the next most import ant positions. 1 of 3 will go GOP, Def. makes the most sense.

Richardson=State
Hagel/Lugar/Gates=Def.
Woman=AG

[SouthFloridaDem]

01:24 AM on 11/06/2008

See? You're doing it too. Only Republicans for Defense. That has to stop. Democrats have to pick a Democrat for that job or forever be stereotyped as soft on defense.

[AndSoItGoes]

10:01 PM on 11/05/2008

Would very much like to see Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. He inspires confidence has an excellent background of relevant knowledge, has honorable character and ethics. I have thought this for months (since the European/Middle East trip. He would be a good fit and advisor. Clark, although I'm sure and honorable man, did not impress many with some of the comments made during the earlier part of the campaign. The new administration doesn't need someone who may have been controversial.

[Deus Angelus]

09:16 PM on 11/05/2008

Please pick Hagel!! We need someone with credibility in the defense dept.