Chuck Hagel Stepping Down As Secretary Of Defense

I didn't think this was really worth a new thread but it isn't really the kind of news story people can argue about and I can't think of another thread it fits in

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/1...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/24/politi...

I am willing to bet a bag of peanuts that Fox spins this as showing how terrible Obama is on defense.

Here's my reductionist view:

ISIS kerfuffle = Hagel loses job

Perhaps both parties didn't want the split

Forced Out: Obama Announces Chuck Hagel's Resignation

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has resigned under pressure amid criticism of the president’s national security team on a series of global issues, including the threat posed by the militant group known as ISIS.

During a statement at the White House, President Barack Obama called Hagel "an exemplary Defense Secretary" and "a great friend of mine" who helped steer the military amid a time of great transition at the Pentagon.

"When it’s mattered most behind closed doors, in the Oval Office, you’ve always given it to me straight. For that, I will always be grateful," Obama said, noting Hagel's willingness to take the job despite hailing from the Republican Party.

Hagel called serving in the post "the greatest privilege of my life."

In a separate written statement sent to Pentagon staff, Hagel said: "You should know I did not make this decision lightly. But after much discussion, the President and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon."

But behind the scenes, the departure appeared to be less rosy. Senior defense officials told NBC News Monday that Hagel was forced to resign. Those officials said the White House lost confidence in the former Nebraska senator to carry out his role at the Pentagon.

According to one senior official, “He wasn’t up to the job.”

Another senior administration official said that Hagel has been discussing a departure from the White House "for several weeks."

Yet CNN says Hagel initiated talks with Obama

Let's just call it now. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel resigns; Senate GOP to block replacement, then blame Obama for leaving America undefended.

Edwin wrote:

Let's just call it now. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel resigns; Senate GOP to block replacement, then blame Obama for leaving America undefended.

Didn't they try to block Hagel even though he's one of them?

Yeah. Look, it doesn't matter what this white house proposes. If it was Bill O, Palin or St. Reagan himself being nominated by Obama, they would oppose it because Obama proposed it. These people just can not deal with a black President being elected.

Hagel is staying until then find a replacement.

Edwin wrote:

Yeah. Look, it doesn't matter what this white house proposes. If it was Bill O, Palin or St. Reagan himself being nominated by Obama, they would oppose it because Obama proposed it. These people just can not deal with a black President being elected.

To give them the benefit of the doubt I think they would hate any Democrat just as much. (I guess we will see when Hillary takes office in a couple years)

NPR commentators were saying it was largely because Hagel didn't agree with the White House's policy towards Syria, that he was being micromanaged and he just couldn't answer questions about the White House's policy in Syria without sounding confused or doubtful.

boogle wrote:

Hagel is staying until then find a replacement.

So until January 2017 at the earliest.

And the new guy is...Ashton Carter. Cue Ashton Kutcher jokes.

Dude...where's my tank?

"Senator, what does my nameplate say?"

"Dude! What's mine say?"

"Sweet!"