A decorated Vietnam vet, Chuck Hagel combines experience in war with skepticism over turning to military solutions where diplomacy might work. Add to those qualifications a tendency to speak his mind (after using it), and the former Republican senator from Nebraska seems uniquely placed to lead the Department of Defense in 2013.
In Hagel, President Obama has someone well equipped to help trim the defense budget to rational size. Consider that defense spending has doubled since 9/11. The United States spends more on defense than the next 10 countries put together.
A supporter of international cooperation, Hagel doesn't think we should be policing the world alone. And unlike George W. Bush's architects of the Iraq War, Hagel expressed well-placed humility in our ability to understand, much less reorder, the Muslim world. Even as Hagel supported sending American troops to Iraq early on, he warned, "We should not be seduced by the expectations of dancing in the streets."
Hagel's internationalism would have fit comfortably in an older Republican tradition. But his sharp distaste for the Iraq War, its rationale and its execution generated scathing accusations of disloyalty from Bush allies and the neocons. And though ordinary Americans joined his critiques, the Republican leadership did not.
In the recent campaign, Mitt Romney backed additional military interventions and called for even higher defense spending. (He oddly justified the latter as a means to create jobs. As opposed to spending more on roads or building schools?)
Hagel follows in the footsteps of an earlier Nebraska original, George W. Norris. A progressive Republican of the early 20th century, Norris supported Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and helped create the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Hagel probably would not have gone there, having opposed the Medicare drug benefit as an expansion of government.) Norris also attacked Republican presidents with abandon.
Hagel was raised in several small (some of them minuscule) towns in Nebraska. Living among few people makes each one more precious. Though much valued by the Sunday talk shows for his homegrown opinions, he seemed most comfortable in little towns separated by sweeping open landscape. After I wrote a column praising the lonely grandeur of Nebraska's Sand Hills, Hagel sent me a handwritten note of appreciation, ending with, "Incidentally, I grew up in the Sand Hills."
Hagel has said some imprudent things, but there's only one reason for concern — his past lack of enthusiasm for tough economic sanctions on Iran. His opposition to an openly gay appointee was unfortunate, but he's since joined the 21st century in that regard. He misspoke in referring to the leading Israel lobby as the "Jewish lobby" — the lobby includes many non-Jews and irritates many who are Jews.
His statement in a 2006 interview that "the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here" sounded borderline anti-Semitic to some. Well, the lobby does intimidate many in Washington, but that does not preclude a close relationship between Israel and the United States.
Another remark — "I'm not an Israeli senator. I'm a United States senator" — drew controversy, though it shouldn't have. In any case, that's the way Hagel talks when expressing independence. He also famously said, "Nothing in my oath of office says, 'I pledge allegiance to the Republican Party and President Bush.'"
And so who is Hagel? He is an adult, and a more adult relationship with the rest of the world, Israel included, would be welcome. Not a man who needs to be backslapped, he appears incorruptible and therefore a threat in the eyes of many defense contractors.
Senators from both parties will question him sharply. But if Hagel finds religion on the wisdom of tough economic sanctions against Iran, he could be an ideal secretary of defense.
To find out more about Froma Harrop, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2013 THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL CO.
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
Viewpoints
Related Photos
-
Froma Harrop
The Hagel defense
- Viewpoints
-
-
Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
Despite hysterical cries from radical environmentalists, neither Sen. Rand Paul’s Defense of Environment and Property Act nor Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Coal Jobs Protection Act would allow activities that bring harm to Kentucky’s wildlife or waterways for the sake of propping up the coal industry.
-
Peter Perlman — Life lessons from a lawyer’s lawyer
One of the great moments of my life was sitting next to legendary Louisville attorney Frank Haddad at a luncheon when he learned he had received the first Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer award from the Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers.
As they started his bio, the surprised Frank started crying like a baby. A sudden heart attack took him less than a year later. Winning the Perlman award was the crowning achievement of his career. -
Credit score insanity
Frequently, people stop me and ask me personal finance questions.
The most common is how to improve their credit history score.
If you need to improve your credit score, it means you have lousy credit. Before fixing the score, people need to ask how their credit got so bad to begin with. -
‘Tells’ about who will blow their money
Kentucky Derby week is one where gambling takes a forefront in my life. Along with the non-stop activities in my home state, I am speaking at a dinner for the Society of Settlement Professionals in Las Vegas and a film crew from Italy is flying in from Rome to interview me for a documentary about lottery winners.
-
Viewpoints change when critics gain power
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
I doubt the scandals around Benghazi, the IRS and subpoenas of Associated Press phone records reach Watergate status — but we must await more information and time to know. -
Trouble’s last ride
When announcing my retirement, I made reference to letting “Trouble” having one last ride.
-
Going from school to work requires preparation, faith
(Editor’s Note: After graduating from EKU on Saturday, Seth Littrell came to work Monday at the Richmond Register as a reporter/photographer.)
This past Saturday weekend I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with my bachelor’s in journalism.
It was the single goal I had been working toward for the past four years, and as I walked across that stage I realized I was the first person in my family to do so. -
Report on former EKU Center for the Arts director called 'biased, unfair'
I am writing in response to the Richmond Register’s May 3, 2013, article concerning the former Executive Director of the EKU Center for the Arts. The article I reference appeared on the front page of your newspaper with the headline “Sexual harassment, other offenses alleged in Hoskin’s records in 740 pages of documents.”
-
Recognizing those who provide care
How fitting it is that the beginning of National Nursing Home Week is Mother’s Day, May 12.
-
That’s just how it is: Part four
I mentioned in the first column in this series that I still get razzed for wearing Marshall University Green.
Former EKU President Joanne Glasser always teased me about it. She told me I looked much better in maroon, and I always reminded her I bleed green. I don’t think she ever really cared. - More Viewpoints Headlines
-
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
