Corruptbuddha
Governor
...is Hagel the best choice?
Do you support Hagel, if so why? If not, why not?
Do you support Hagel, if so why? If not, why not?
let's go in another direction...
- Thread starter Corruptbuddha
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Bugsy McGurk
President
Trying to identify the "best choice" is obviously a fool's errand. A very subjective question, and not the question to ask.
The question to ask is whether Obama has nominated a qualified person be lead the DOD. Hagel is obviously eminently qualifed, so anyone respecting the process would support him.
The question to ask is whether Obama has nominated a qualified person be lead the DOD. Hagel is obviously eminently qualifed, so anyone respecting the process would support him.
Corruptbuddha
Governor
No, I'm actually interested in who you folks think would be YOUR choice.
Hence the question.
Would you choose Hagel?
Hence the question.
Would you choose Hagel?
Bo-4
Senator
Hard to know whether he's THE best choice. But i'm real happy with him.
Why? He's seen the horror of war, and is a decorated hero (saved Mitch McConnell's bro's life). He still carries around shrapnel as a souvenir.
As one who understands these horrors, he's a far cry better than the chickenhawk neocons who hate his guts for supporting Obama.
Bo hates interventionist wars you see.
I believe he'd be a return to the more sensible Republican foreign policy folks like Powell and Poppy Bush.
Remember too that it's Obama's foreign policy he'll carry out, not his own. And he's certainly qualified to do that.
Why? He's seen the horror of war, and is a decorated hero (saved Mitch McConnell's bro's life). He still carries around shrapnel as a souvenir.
As one who understands these horrors, he's a far cry better than the chickenhawk neocons who hate his guts for supporting Obama.
Bo hates interventionist wars you see.
I believe he'd be a return to the more sensible Republican foreign policy folks like Powell and Poppy Bush.
Remember too that it's Obama's foreign policy he'll carry out, not his own. And he's certainly qualified to do that.
Bugsy McGurk
President
Dunno. I haven't put much thought into questions that are not mine to answer. By any objective measure Hagel seems to be a good a choice as any.
Bugsy McGurk
President
Another good thing about Hagel is that he has advocated cuts to defense spending. We sure do need that about now.
Bo-4
Senator
Exactly.. thanks
Missed that point. He's not a ho for the Military Industrial Complex. He's a PERFECT guy to recommend those cuts. Hopefully 30% of the overall budget at minimum.
Hagel understands what folly the Bush2 policy was of fighting terrorism with a conventional military and he's not afraid of technology or covert action.
Missed that point. He's not a ho for the Military Industrial Complex. He's a PERFECT guy to recommend those cuts. Hopefully 30% of the overall budget at minimum.
Hagel understands what folly the Bush2 policy was of fighting terrorism with a conventional military and he's not afraid of technology or covert action.
Bugsy McGurk
President
Yup. In addition to plain old Obama-hate, Hagel's support for defense cuts is what will make the Pugs try to defeat his nomination.
Corruptbuddha
Governor
LOL...that's funny right there.
You're a regular crackup!
Corruptbuddha
Governor
Ok..my turn to answer my own question.
I think Hagel is a solid choice. Although I would prefer a more non-interventionist like Ron Paul (retired) or Dennis Kucinich. Of course that would require a total change in American foreign policy.
Hagel is a war hero, has been in the trenches and knows what makes a soldier/sailor/marine tick.
So, I'm for him...but I wish he were a bit more of a non-interventionist. You know, would try to persuade Obama against crap like Libya and Syria (should it come to that)
I think Hagel is a solid choice. Although I would prefer a more non-interventionist like Ron Paul (retired) or Dennis Kucinich. Of course that would require a total change in American foreign policy.
Hagel is a war hero, has been in the trenches and knows what makes a soldier/sailor/marine tick.
So, I'm for him...but I wish he were a bit more of a non-interventionist. You know, would try to persuade Obama against crap like Libya and Syria (should it come to that)
Bugsy McGurk
President
They don't come a whole lot more non-interventionist than Hagel. As a Republican he opposed the GWB surge in Iraq. He thinks we can slash our defense spending as he does not see the need for us to have our military all over the world with their zillion dollar weapon systems.
Paul and Kucinich are kooks whose views would be ignored by Congress. Hagel has gravitas.
Best choice? Don't really know. He had a distinguished military career. I believe he served 2 terms in the Senate and was on either the Armed Services Committee or Foreign Relations Committee. I think he was a good Senator. He speaks his mind and isn't afraid to buck his own party. He knows his way around Capitol Hill. I don't really know of anyone available who is more qualified. That doesn't mean there isn't anyone.
LeRoy_Was_Here
Senator
Neither Paul nor Kucinich would ever be confirmed as Secretary of Defense by Congress. Hagel will be. Despite the squawking from the neo-conservatives.
Corruptbuddha
Governor
Just because you have ideas that fly into the face of the Military-Industrial Complex, does not make one a 'kook'.
And Hagel only has Gravitas because he subscribes to an intervention foreign policy.
Corruptbuddha
Governor
Good one Rick...I hadn't even considered Nunn.
Bugsy McGurk
President
Paul and Kucinich are kooks for many different reasons.
Dunno what you mean by your second sentence.
Bugsy McGurk
President
He's getting a little long in the tooth. I imagine he's retired, no?
