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Hagel grilled over past comments on Capitol Hill

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    Lawmakers question Defense secretary nominee

  • Duration 3:22
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Good evening I'm right -- the man who wants to lead America's military wasn't full retreat today before a senate committee.

Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel spent much of today's confirmation hearing.

Walking back earlier statements that had several of his former colleagues questioning whether he is the right man for the job.

Chief congressional correspondent Mike Emanuel shows us what happened in what was it times a heated and at other times an awkward confirmation here.

After two months -- public criticism over his nomination to be secretary of defense former Republican senator Chuck Hagel struggle to reassure senators he's up to the job.

Can not soft on Iran.

I'm fully committed to the president's goal of preventing Iran.

From obtaining a nuclear weapons.

And as I've been on record on that issue.

As I said in the past many times all options must be on the table to achieve that goal.

Shortly after the top committee Republican told -- eagle he would vote no senator Jim in Hoffman -- the nominee with this -- Why do you think that the Iranian Foreign Ministry so strongly supports your nomination to be -- secretary of defense.

I have a difficult enough time in American politics.

Senator I had no idea but thank you.

Democrats routinely came to handles defense including this jab it in -- suggesting he should act like previous leading Republicans.

I believe very strongly.

That this committee this needs to be bipartisan.

And I hope.

That the new ranking member holds the same regard for that as Senator McCain and senator Warner did.

Much of the ammunition came from tables past statements and writings which Republicans say show he isn't the right candidate.

Cable refused to give Senator John McCain a direct answer when asked if he had been wrong on the 2007 surge of 20000 troops in Iraq.

Will you please answer the question will you correct or incorrect when you said.

That the search would be.

The most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam we are correct or incorrect -- -- -- no.

My reference to the speaker Nancy might change -- hagel.

The question is -- we were right or wrong that's a pretty straightforward question and well.

The nominee said that quote -- his feelings about the Iraq war in general not just the surge he also took some heat for his work with global zero a group which says it is committed to eliminating all nuclear weapons globally.

Hagel was asked if he's anti American nukes.

Position of global zero my position.

Some of the individuals.

National security leaders -- senator Nunn talked about.

Including himself it has never been unilateral disarmament.

Ever.

Never -- -- did backtrack on his comment about the political power of the quote.

Jewish lobby.

I shouldn't use another term and I'm sorry and I regret and in the -- through the use of intimidation.

I -- -- influence.

I think would have been more -- Program.

Coming into the hearing handles a controversial nominees have some fireworks were expected.

But a number of senators on both sides have said it was uncomfortable being in there as -- labored to explain his past comments and votes -- I've made a lot on the hill Mike thanks.

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