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Controversy over potential Cabinet nod for former Sen. Hagel

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    Debate over possible defense secretary pick

  • Duration 5:56
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Welcome back everybody right now president Obama's search for a new secretary of defense is sparking a fierce political battle.

Former senator Chuck Hagel Republican from Nebraska seem to have an early head start.

But his position on key issues including Israel and others may not come out of the running before -- even nominated at least that's it's being reported.

Doug Schoen is a former advisor to President Clinton and a Fox News contributor and match lap was White House political director.

Under president George W -- gentlemen good morning.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill what's going on here are he's a Republican and yet Republicans are not completely in favor it sounds like -- -- Kate golf.

When the White House put him out there.

Was he really the first choice for the job where you think they'd put it up to -- the controversy and then maybe they have someone else in mind that we need is secretary of defense clearly.

In play we shall we we sure do what it was a trial balloon I think they wanted to see how people would react.

To his controversial comments about the Israel lobby.

Is votes against sanctions on Iran some of his more controversy all comments back in the ninety's admittedly.

-- and -- all of these have engendered a great deal of opposition as well as a concern as well as his.

Vote against the Iraq War so Republicans I think are expressing quite.

Legitimate concern and what presidents typically do is float name's Jamie see how the do as with Susan Rice and he's not doing so well today.

Matt would Leon Panetta state.

You know those are all questions that that are probably pretty private between the president and the secretary of defense.

I also think though that President Obama wants to shake up the second term -- Presidents want to end -- -- -- second term presidents tend to want to do both parties.

Is put together a cabinet that is closer to the White House a cabinet they can control more.

What's ironic about Chuck Hagel is no one's ever been able to control him.

Which is one of his problems in the senate he has no base of support.

The Republicans have plenty to gripe about -- it comes to his votes.

In his support it Democrats do -- well you're seeing people like Chuck Schumer and others who were very concerned about our policy towards Israel.

This expressing real concern so in some senses if the senate doesn't give Obama his choice of Chuck Hagel.

He might be getting kind of a a victory he didn't anticipate.

You know -- it matters at least to me more with the secretary of defense than many of the other cabinet positions because.

Where -- withdrawing.

From Afghanistan our troops need true leadership.

And whoever takes that position.

At this critical juncture.

Where Leon Panetta has already been overseeing things for awhile.

It seems an odd time to make a change what's though not.

Well.

Maybe it's the end of the first term Leon -- and I believe is in his mid seventies he's expressed a desire to go back.

To California and if Chuck Hagel is an and I think.

Matt is exactly right in -- Florida -- Ashton Carter there are two.

Very very qualified.

People who are waiting in the wings who would be very close to the president I think it's.

Entirely appropriate that as a second term begins that.

The president would look for new leadership especially after secretary Panetta's long and distinguished service.

You know -- on the one hand I can understand any corporate CEO when they come -- they want to bring in people that are sitting at that the major table that they know will be on the same page.

On the other hand it's important in the second administration to reach across the dial and look for people to fill positions from the Republican Party.

But is this symptomatic.

Of the way -- papal nomination came out in the situation -- Susan Rice.

Other problem we may have a positions not being filled during critical times for example I think about.

The -- yes.

Position which has been open for some six months and I believe it's answered Traber who is the person that President Obama selected.

And they haven't even set -- a hearing for him yet.

You make great points and.

Here's what President Obama has to realize.

He had sixty votes in the senate when he came to office he -- 55.

And that's all the difference in the world because it just takes 41 senators to have a filibuster -- -- nominee would it really hold back on a nominee.

In so I think what the president has to realize especially -- cabinet secretaries who gonna have to work with the senate on their budgets and all kinds of key policy she's going forward.

Eking by a victory is that enough right -- to find people who can get support from the other side especially when it comes to.

Issues surrounding national security and in these important questions about the budget -- -- secretary of defense so I really think in this case.

President Obama would be much better served to not try to jam through a friend.

We try to find somebody who can pull people together so we can find some bipartisan policies and it comes.

For national security -- filled the seats and I know this segment it's about Chuck Hagel but I think we've covered it.

And I want to just ask you -- about the ATF with all the shootings that are going on and all the questions about.

These assault rifles in the hands of people that shouldn't have them.

How critical is it to have somebody that's running back that area that department the ATF.

-- it couldn't be more critical bottom line.

We have huge policy issues there.

That we've talked about we have the fast and furious scandal which is still playing itself out and we have -- a whole questions now about whether there will be new regulations on.

Guns and automatic weapons and bottom line it's a symptom of the this functionality in Washington that we haven't been able to get anybody to -- the ATF.

-- gentlemen thank you very much -- -- you got us out when it's always good to have you here thank you thank you Kelly.

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