President’s Pick Ill-Equipped?

A national defense analyst and Pentagon advisor agrees with a number of GOP senators who don’t think former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel (R) is qualified to be secretary of defense.

After several weeks of speculation, President Obama has officially nominated Hagel to replace Leon Panetta, who wants to return to private life during Obama’s second term. In choosing Hagel, the president is reportedly signaling he is ready for a contentious confirmation fight, likely dominated by questions about Hagel’s stance on Israel and Iran. (Hagel to face rough going in Senate)

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has joined other Senate Republicans — including Roger Wicker of Mississippi and newly seated Ted Cruz from Texas — in criticizing Hagel, mostly for his virulently anti-Israel and pro-Iranian foreign policy positions. Graham told CNN over the weekend that Hagel is a controversial choice, as his thinking on most issues of foreign policy is out of the mainstream. He also questions Hagel’s management experience.

Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis (USA-Ret.), now senior fellow for national security at the Family Research Council (FRC), says Hagel does not have the experience needed to run a vast and complex operation like the U.S. Department of Defense.

Read More at onenewsnow.com . By Chad Groening.