Sen. Johanns (R-NE) to back Hagel's nomination

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joseph Morton

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., said Saturday he will support Chuck Hagel's nomination to be defense secretary.

The loudest objections to the nomination since it was first floated have been over Hagel's past comments toward Iran and Israel. Opponents have argued he's been too soft on Iran and too tough on Israel.

Johanns said the greatest among his own concerns about Hagel dealt with his views on the Middle East and Israel.

But Johanns said that his hour-long meeting with Hagel and Thursday's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee convinced him to back the nomination.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130202/NEWS/130209946/1718

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Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20130202&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=130209946&Ref=AR&Profile=1694&maxw=598&maxh=400

GERALD HERBERT / AP PHOTO
Michael Johanns, right, confers with then-Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., at the start of his secretary of agriculture confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Jan. 6, 2005.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Hagel was never defeated in Nebraska, and remains popular there

Hagel won with over 80% of the vote statewide in 2002.

For Johanns to vote against him would be political suicide.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

2. How do you know he's still popular?

The Republican establishment hates him. I hear from my Republican co-workers all the time what a turncoat he is.

[John2]

5. I wonder how

that works with a native son of Nebraska? He was a senator and a war hero from the state. Does he have a lotta of friends in that state? I mean family ties? That is a very rural state also. Do Nebraskans really think Hagel is bad? Did he save someone under enemy fire in Vietnam?

Maybe it depends on who you believe he turned on. I don't think he owes Cruse, Graham or McCain anything. I really don't know where those three get off talking to Hagel that way? I know McCain was a POW for most of the War, but I just don't know where Cruse or Graham get off lecturing to Hagel about War? Hagel seemed to have made sound decisions when he was in the line of fire. Those three would probably say the same to Audie Murphy. McCain is the same person that said something disrepectful to former Joint Chief of the Army General Colin Powell. Being recognized for being a POW must have went to his head. Now he is a military genious.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

6. A lot do.

Especially now. Democrats used to hate him because they though he rigged elections. Republicans hate him towards the end of his last term because he sold out the Bush administration and basically had no connections left in Nebraska. He lived in DC and was very disconnected from the state.

[Cynicus Emeritus]

8. Many in the Repub Establishment hate McCain and Graham too

The USA needs cabinet officers that put USA interests front and center. Instead there are too many politicians that are conflicted and compromised because they will do anything to get themselves reelected.

[Ian Iam]

3. Bravo!

Standing up to the pro-Sweden lobby takes courage

[BlueStreak]

4. The only reason to oppose Hagel is to kiss McCain's ass. How many Repugs will do that?

We shall see, but I bet there will be fewer than 25 that are willing to kiss McCain's ass like that.

I bet there will be at least 75 votes in favor of confirmation. You can figure the opposed one will include McCain, Graham, Paul, and a few other of the nut cases.

[David__77]

7. It's critical that he be confirmed!

Thanks to this Republican senator, the lobby opposing him has been dealt a serious defeat.