The Hill: Reports that the expected nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel as the next US Defence Secretary is in trouble, the article notes the following, " ..has been criticized for prior statements on Israel lobbyists and a gay ambassadorial nominee, as well as his positions toward Iraq, Iran and Cuba. ".
Lets Get Real:
Lets recall Bush 41 lost his choice of Senator Tower to be US Defence Secretary because of Senate opposition, Hagel has managed to annoy both the left and right, lets see how much the Israeli Lobby really want to block Hagel, they might think that if Israel is going to attack Iran it does not need a US Defence Secretary that is hostile to Israel. Lets recall folks the Mid Terms are in 2014, one of the biggest money givers to Democrats are Jewish groups, in other words folks the Democrats in the Senate and House can not afford to bite the hand that gets them elected. The Republicans have serious national security concerns about Hagel, he opposed the Iraq War and wants talks with Iran, yes folks, if POTUS wants to talk to Iran he will have support from both Kerry at State and Hagel at Defence. On the Oval side POTUS has to go to bat for Hagel, if he is rolled even more he nominates Hagel the 2nd Obama term will start from a weak position, and power fades from a 2nd term fast folks. POTUS threw his UN Ambassador under the bus even before an official nomination, he can not afford a 2nd defeat, a US President should have his choice at State and Defence, he WON, it does not matter the political views of Hagel, the case with Rice was different, she fell on her sword during the election due to Libya, she was seen by Republicans as spinning for the Oval, when the truth did not match she was toast. Thus far nothing like that has come up when it comes to Hagel, having left wing views in itself should not be a block on a nomination, that is the same when its right wing views for the Cabinet or being a Judge. Lets see how this story develop folks.
