Joe Scarborough Dismayed By Republicans Challenging Chuck Hagel Nomination (VIDEO)

WATCH: Scarborough Blasts GOP Over Nomination Fight

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Joe Scarborough was aghast at Republican criticism of Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of defense on Monday's "Morning Joe."

President Obama announced his choice Monday afternoon. Prior to that, several Republican senators had already voiced their opposition to Hagel, who is a former Republican senator from Nebraska and a decorated Vietnam War veteran. Senator Lindsey Graham said that Hagel was "out of the mainstream" on foreign policy issues.

"If anybody out there wants to say that Chuck Hagel is outside the mainstream on foreign policy, I suggest they turn the mirror around on them," Scarborough responded on Monday morning. The MSNBC host offered a forceful defense of Hagel, who he called a "war hero who still carries schrapnel" in his body.

Andrea Mitchell said that the nominee has "universal support" from every retired military person and diplomat she knew. Co-host Mika Brzezinski ticked off a list of his accomplishments, which she said included heading the USO, fighting for the new GI Bill and being wounded in war.

Scarborough predicted that the GOP would merely damage their image by fighting Hagel's nomination. "I just wonder what's better for Democrats politically: if Barack Obama gets his Republican secretary of defense, or if Republicans, who after deep-sixing an African-American for secretary of state, now turn and savage one of their own," he said.

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