Sen. Bill Nelson: Chuck Hagel is a 'dedicated public servant and patriot' [D-FL]

The Buzz -- Tampa Bay Times ^ | January 8th, 2013 | Alex Leary

[SunkenCiv]

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, in Jerusalem today meeting with Middle East leaders, expressed support for Chuck Hagel, President Obama's defense secretary nominee.

“Chuck Hagel is a personal friend; a solid former U.S. senator; and, a dedicated public servant and patriot,” Nelson said. A news release said he spoke with Hagel today and "believes there will be a thorough review of Hagel’s record before his confirmation."

The statement does not delve into criticism that Hagel has not been a strong supporter of Israel, a point Obama and other Democrats say is false.

Nelson's office said he is in the Middle East for "briefings on regional security and peace process efforts involving Israelis and Palestinians. He said he believes there will be a thorough review of Hagel’s record before his confirmation.

Nelson also says he'll support John Brennan, Obama's pick to run the CIA. "Brennan was instrumental in helping plan the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden," the news release stated.

Nelson also took aim at comments made yesterday by one of his current Senate colleagues. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) said in Israel yesterday the U.S. should consider cutting foreign aid.

“Israel needs the full assistance of the U.S.,” said Nelson. “It’s the only way Israel can remain secure.”

Nelson cited the fact that U.S. assistance helped build the Iron Dome missile defense system to protect Israel against Hamas rocket attacks. Nelson, who introduced legislation last year supporting the Israeli defense system, visited an Iron Dome site yesterday. The system was instrumental in protecting civilians when fighting escalated in the region late last year.

[SunkenCiv]

Wasn’t Bill Nelson a RINO once upon a time?

The Facts on Chuck Hagel — Smear a bagel, not Chuck Hagel.
http://www.jstreet.org/
Stop the neocon smear machine (what’s their FR nick?)

[originalbuckeye]

Chuck Hagel.......the ‘Republican’ that the Democrats just love!!

[Newbomb Turk]

Ben Nelson. That's the same Ben Nelson who was the deciding vote on Obama care and tried to get the CornHusker Kickback. Also the same Ben Nelson who didn't run for reelection because he knows the fine folks of Nebraska would have kicked his butt to the curb.

He also supported Bob Kerry for reelection here and he lost in a landslide. Same reason Chuck Hagel didn't run here again.

I'm a proud educated voter in Nebraska.

Then again, so is Larry the Cable Guy.

[SunkenCiv]

Chuck Hagel brings a moderate Republican internationalist’s view to Defense Department

Mac Deford

January 12, 2013 08:55

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/news/regions/americas/united-states/chuck-hagel-moderate-republican-obama-defense

Commentary: GOP’s hostile reaction to his appointment reflects its self-destructive thinking on foreign policy.

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2012/12/05/rand-pauls-new-message-on-israel/

Christian Zionists appear willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. One pro-Israel leader says, “The question before me is if he is different than his dad — smarter than his dad — or just making the right noise.” He adds wryly, “Evangelicals believe in forgiveness.” I spoke Tuesday night with David Brog, executive director of the country’s largest pro-Zionist group, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), which has been outspoken in criticizing Paul’s advocacy for cuts in crucial military aid to Israel. Brog explained CUFI’s past concerns: “Paul has thus far seemed oblivious to the reality that Israel’s military is fighting our battles for us and keeping us from having to send our own soldiers to do the job.” Nevertheless, Brog told me that “we’re certainly encouraged to learn that Senator Paul is traveling to Israel. We know that the facts are on Israel’s side. And we know from long experience that there’s nothing like a visit to Israel to learn facts and change minds. We’ve seen such trips work complete transformations in the past, most notably when Senator Jesse Helms flew to Israel in 1984 as a vocal critic of the Jewish state and returned home to be among Israel’s staunchest supporters.” Brog makes the case that support for Israel actually meshes with Paul’s desire to conduct foreign policy with limited revenues. By providing military aid to Israel, Brog argued, we enable an ally to fight our common enemies.

[SunkenCiv]

Chuck Hagel pick: Final snub of George W. Bush
By ALEXANDER BURNS | 1/9/13 4:39 AM EST
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/hagel-pick-final-snub-of-george-w-bush-85932.html

[SunkenCiv]

Chuck Hagel Is No Susan Rice
by Margaret Carlson
2013-01-08T16:00:11Z
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-08/chuck-hagel-is-no-susan-rice.html

[SunkenCiv]

US Senator says Israel should not worry about Hagel, Obama’s choice for defense secretary
Associated Press
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whitehouse/us-senator-says-israel-should-not-worry-about-hagel-obamas-choice-for-defense-secretary/2013/01/08/16f1313e-59be-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html

[muawiyah]

Doesn’t bode well for you when the fascist pigs say you’re a great guy.

[sport]

If a Democrat like Nelson praises him, that tells me all I need to know about him. That and he would be willing to work in the Administration of obama in the first place. But he does have an R after his name so to some that is all he needs.

[Captain7seas]

And pray tell what does Bill Nelson have to say about the overwhelming NO responses (96%) to his poll question “Do you favor a return to the Assault weapon ban?”

[SunkenCiv]

GOP sees political payback in Hagel pick
January 07, 2013 at 6:11 PM, updated January 08, 2013
http://www.syracuse.com/us-politics/index.ssf/2013/01/gop_sees_political_payback_in.html

Republicans... are looking to notch a win on the scoreboard, while mindful of the politics of holding up presidential prerogative on Cabinet appointees... For Democrats, there’s a peril of crossing a reelected president — but also the risk of backing someone with whom their pro-Israel and gay supporters, along with some donors, aren’t entirely comfortable. At minimum, senators will be under pressure to extract as much from Hagel as they can before saying they’ll support him.

[SunkenCiv]

Rand Paul Courts Israeli Leaders, But Stays Silent On Chuck Hagel’s Defense Nomination
http://www.businessinsider.com/rand-paul-israel-chuck-hagel-2013-1

[snip] “I haven’t made a decision on it yet,” Paul said, when asked whether he would vote to confirm Hagel as Secretary of Defense. Hagel, a former Republican Senator, has faced intense criticism from Republicans and pro-Israel Democrats over his past statements on Israel and Iran. [/snip]

[NonValueAdded]

Bill, not Ben. Florida is stuck with Bill while Ben was Nebraska’s cross to bear.

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks NVA and NBT.

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo

[CPT Clay]

Thanks Flori duh