Today
we continue our series of cabinet profiles by looking at Sen. Chuck
Hagel as a possibility for Sec. of Defense.  Yesterday we looked at Sen. Joe Biden for Sec. of State. 
Things have been a bit busy around here, but we should have a full
schedule drawn up in the next day or two.  Finally, don't forget to
vote in our VP poll which ends tomorrow at midnight!

Chuck Hagel is getting a lot of media attention lately.  He's somewhat of a darling of the press, a Republican who has blasted the Bush Administration on several issues. Hagel broke with his Republican counterparts on the Iraq war and has been calling for a withdrawal for quite some time.  Hagel also referred to the Bush Administration as "one of the most arrogant, incompetent administrations I've ever seen or ever read about".  Showing even more discontent with the Republican Party, Hagel recently criticized McCain's campaign style while praising Obama. All of the anti-Republican antics have made Hagel an obvious choice for a cabinet position in the Obama Administration and there are grumblings that he may be the country's next Secretary of Defense.

Hagel brings a lot to the table.  He's a decorated war Vietnam War veteran who has been a fierce critic of the war in Iraq.  Another positive is that Hagel supported additional safeguards to the PATRIOT ACT and did not just rubberstamp it as the majority of Republicans in the Senate did.  Hagel's views on these issues not only put him on the same page ideologically as Obama, but also weakens concerns about Obama's patriotism. If a man like Chuck Hagel supports Obama, then those who doubt Obama's patriotism will certainly have to rethink their position.  But not only that, Hagel is crossing party lines to do this; doubts about Obama's patriotism will likely be shattered if a very socially conservative Republican and war veteran breaks with his party to support Obama. 

Hagel will also have a great deal of credibility when it comes to talking about military issues and how to scale down the war in Iraq. He will be an excellent cabinet member to send around on the Sunday talk show rounds and will be a formidable hurdle over which Republican critics of Obama will have to climb. 

Perhaps more importantly, Hagel's inclusion in the cabinet will show a true commitment to change.  It will also demonstrate that Obama is capable of building a bipartisan bridge in Washington.  This will deflect another of Obama's weaknesses, that he lacks the experience necessary to bring about change.  If he can unite a long-time friend of John McCain and lifelong Republican with the Democratic core, then Obama is clearly capable of overcoming the partisan divides in this country.

Despite these positives, Hagel has become popular largely for his anger at the Bush Administration, not for serving with any distinction in the Senate or demonstrating the ingenuity to creatively deal with military or foreign policy issues (Hagel serves on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees).  His overall thoughts on how to deal with the War on Terror and foreign policy could use some clarifications before Democrats feel comfortable with putting a lifelong Republican in one of the most important cabinet positions. But if Hagel demonstrates that his foreign and military policy views are substantially in accordance with those of Barack Obama, I feel certain that Hagel will have a large role to play in Obama's Administration.

--- Raylan Givens