Where does Hagel stand about abortions in the military?

[question everything]

From an op-ed in the WSJ:

In 1995 Mr. Hagel told the Omaha World Herald that his opposition to abortion was total and made no exception for cases of rape or incest—a view that helped get him elected to the Senate the following year. He later voted repeatedly against allowing servicewomen to pay for abortions out of their own pocket, according to the left-wing magazine Mother Jones. Now that Congress has authorized the Defense Department to pay for abortions in cases of rape, it would be worth asking Mr. Hagel if he has evolved on this one, too.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323482504578227370677702846.html

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Before dismissing anything from the WSJ, will DUers kindly respond to the topic itself?

[CountAllVotes]

1. I worked for the military some 30+ years ago

and there were lots of young women getting abortions.

They were told to "take care of it and get back on the job" which is exactly what they did.

There were many of these same young women that went back time and time again for yet another abortion as the military hospital was right there on the base and they were paying for them.

It was NOT an issue in the early 1980s.

What is this an issue now?

[davidpdx]

16. Does anyone really think Hagel is going to "go rogue"?

It is pretty much guaranteed he'll face questions about his stand on abortion in the military, his take on DODT being reversed, his comment about the guy who was nominated as ambassador in the late 90s, and his stance on Israeli by many senators.

The other issues that people have brought up don't figure into the nomination at all.

In the end it comes down to cabinet members working at the pleasure of the President of the United States. He is their boss. I'm sure there are lots of times cabinet members disagree with him and they make their case and President Obama makes his decision.

What more is there to explain beyond that?

Yes, he's a Republican. He's not the first Democrat to nominate a Republican, so stop treating him like a traitor.


Ps-Sorry I meant to replay to the OP directly

[jenmito]

2. It doesn't matter. Hagel will be implementing OBAMA'S policies. n/t

[gateley]

3. Sincere question -- would Hagel have the authority to make any changes regarding

this?

I don't know whether they guy was playing the "vote for me" card or if he's truly rabidly anti-abortion (I'm guessing the latter), but I think any changes anywhere would be the call of the Administration.

[question everything]

4. I think that this is about all of Hagel's opinions

The other day, someone said on MSNBC that while the big policy issues will come from the White House, there are many "small" issues about day to day operations that are determined by the Pentagon.

[gateley]

5. I guess it depends on what is "small" --

I like Hagel for the position.

ETA: I like him for the position of SOD - NOT his position on abortion rights for servicewomen. I'm hoping he's also changed his view on repealing DADT having observed the armed forces didn't fall apart and are running just as always. He wouldn't get a say in that, though.

[forestpath]

6. I find Hagel's record disgusting and Obama's choice of him both telling and disturbing.

[jenmito]

8. What's "telling" about it? Hagel has changed his views on DADT and other issues related to the

military. He served in Vietnam and as a result is wary of sending others into war. He wants to reduce military spending, too. I think he's a great choice to work in Obama's admin. and to implement Obama's policies.

[JoePhilly]

9. What specific aspects of his record are disgusting?

And then, what do they "tell" you ... and how are they "disturbing"?

[Bluenorthwest]

11. I find the following record disturbing. Don't you?

Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)

[JoePhilly]

13. Its always fun when the person who answer the question isn't the one you asked the

question ... but that's cool.

The first 6 have nothing to do with being Sec Def.

The 7th does. And so, this is a great topic on which to grill him during the hearings.

The Sec Def does not set the abortion policy for the nation, but, his ability to recognize the President's position, and defend within the military, as Sec Def is a relevant topic for debate.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. I did not know it there was a new 'two hand only' rule here.

I note you did not answer the question I asked you. That's cool. The pro Hagel people don't answer questions, and I can most certainly understand why that is.

[TwilightGardener]

7. He stands wherever Obama and Congress tell him to.

Doesn't matter what's in his heart or his religious beliefs. Didn't matter with Leon Panetta or Bob Gates either.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Here is his voting record on the subject including a vote on abortion on military bases:

Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance. (Dec 2006)

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/chuck_hagel.htm

[dsc]

12. I have to say I have no problem with the first of those votes

it would allow SCHIP to cover pregnant women which is a good idea.

[question everything]

15. The big question is why Obama is wasting capital on this fight

when there are so many awaiting for him in the future.

Republicans are against him - normally would be a good sign, except that he is a Republican.

Democrats are against him because they don't understand why Obama has to select a Republican. And, no it does not signal "reaching across the aisle." This train has left. Starting with his first term, the Republicans in Congress viewed it as a sign of weakness.

And many gays are still suspicious of his "evolving."