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Subscribe to RSSDefense Secretary Leon Panetta came to the aid of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, the man President Barack Obama nominated to succeed him, saying on NBC’s Meet the Press, “The political knives were out for Chuck Hagel” during his confirmation hearing last week.
In nearly eight hours of testimony before the Senate Armed Service Committee on Thursday, Hagel spent much time revising and clarifying his previous remarks – including a spontaneous error at the hearing itself on whether United States policy toward Iran’s nuclear weapons program was one of containment.
Panetta complained that the members of the committee spent too little time questioning Hagel about the current challenges the Defense Department faces, such as looming budget cuts, and spent too much time examining statements Hagel made in the past.
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta comments on Hagel's tough hearing last Thursday before the Senate and brings up some questions that should have been asked.
Panetta insisted to NBC’s Chuck Todd that Hagel was “absolutely” prepared to take his place leading the Defense Department.
Panetta’s backing of Hagel was seconded by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, who said “in helping prepare him for his confirmation hearings, we had several opportunities to talk about strategy. And I found him well-prepared and very thoughtful about it.”
As the Armed Services Committee prepares to hold a hearing Thursday on last September’s attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Panetta said he looked forward “to presenting what we know about what took place.” Congressional Republicans have questioned why there were no U.S. military aircraft or other forces in proximity to Benghazi that could have been dispatched to help defend Ambassador Chris Stevens and other US personnel. Stevens and three others were killed in the attack.
Addressing the Defense Department’s airlift and intelligence-sharing role in assisting the ongoing French military intervention in the North African nation of Mali, Panetta said, “We are now working with France to make sure that al Qaida has no place to hide, even in North Africa.”
Dempsey added that in North Africa “the regimes that you used to maintain control over that space that would, in fact, be part of the solution of keeping al Qaida and its affiliates at bay are no longer there.”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta discuss the threat of Al Qaeda in North Africa and regional instability associated with recent change.
The popular uprisings of the 2011 Arab Spring, Dempsey said, “stripped that away” leaving “ungoverned space” or “a period at which geography is less governed than it used to be.” That lack of control has allowed jihadist groups such as al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to flourish.
Turning to Iran and its nuclear program, Panetta said, “The intelligence we have is they have not made the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon. The regime in Tehran is enriching uranium. They continue to do that.”
He added, “I can't tell you they are, in fact, pursuing a weapon, because that's not what intelligence says they're doing right now. But every indication is they want to continue to increase their nuclear capability. And that's a concern. And that's what we're asking them to stop doing.”
Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday that the Obama administration is “would be prepared to meet bilaterally with the Iranian leadership,” but that talks would need to be serious, have an agreed-upon agenda, and not be merely an exercise.
On the threat of spending cuts, known in Capitol language as “sequester,” scheduled to start on March 1 that are mandated by the Budget Control Act, Panetta said, “If Congress stands back and allows sequester to take place, I think it would really be a shameful and irresponsible act.”
He added that the spending cuts this year – amounting to about 12 percent of Pentagon outlays apart from overseas operations – would “badly damage the readiness of the United States of America.”
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta tells NBC's Chuck Todd if a sequester is allowed to happen it will "badly damage" the readiness of the U.S.
Panetta, who served as head of the Office of Management and Budget under President Clinton and as chairman of the House Budget Committee in the late 1980s, said, “As somebody who's worked with budgets throughout my life, in order to deal with the deficit problem, you've got to deal with entitlements. You have to deal with revenues. And you have to deal with discretionary (spending).”
Although Republicans such as Sen. John McCain of Arizona have accused Obama of failing to take the lead in finding a way to avoid the cuts required by the Budget Control Act, Panetta said, “I think he's pushing as hard as he can…. The president of the United States has indicated the concern about sequester. He's indicated his concern about maintaining a strong national defense. And he's proposed a solution to this. The ball is in Congress's court. They have got to take action to delay sequester.”
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Well Hagel will get in so I have to get over it. So wish this person showed some knowledge of the current affairs. I like that he abhors war but he must be adaptable in this world. I don't like the guy but accept that the Democrats have the upper hand in this one!
I know this is not relevant to this discussion but I think Menendez is not fit for the Senate either. My what a terrible example of a Top Leader. He will go down. Not good when the FBI is looking into your status!
Some leaks from his Staff Classified as whistle Blower are to come forward. Lets see what that is about. This is rumored to come out in the next week
#25 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 9:04 AM MST
If they had gotten into current issues it would have been a repeat of Hillary all over. I would have had to hear about the ARB all over again.Then there would be all the talking points that I hear week after week concerning the issues of today.
This is the second time you mention Menedez, I too am waiting for this to come out. One thing I am glad did not happen was Barney Frank taking Kerry's senate seat. I was thinking is there nobody else that can do this job, get some new blood in the game.
Spot on as many were thinking same about the tepub, oh so tough on National Security they totally destroyed under the bush, questionings.
But see they had to take the lines they did, like the new chickenhawk among them, Sen. Cruz of Texas, who by the way just aged out of volunteering in the military at 42, who already has shown he doesn't mind spitting on us Veterans especially us Vietnam vets. Especially on the Israeli lines for they needs that lobbies, who I'm sure had a hand in writing the questions and talking points, campaign funding to continue in their jobs not representing the people.
They also needs them big bucks from the war type hawk investors, defense contractors and wall street big players, as they continue their decade plus war drum attacks on Iran, just like for Iraq and again with a lot of ginned up so called intelligence, for war is profit, Huge Profit with no labored effort for. Inside congressional trading, on first hand intelligence information, probably helped many of their bottom lines and enhanced their growing offshore wealth.
USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71
McCain did nothing but try to sooth his own soul about his own bad decisions. Nothing done in Iraq was done for any verifiable publicly accepted reason,,,,,,,There was simply no real reason for us to be there in the first place and McCain was trying to pick bits and pieces he considers victories to justify the entire fiasco.
I'm actually surprised Republicans did not grill Hagel on abortion or contraceptives or,,,,,,,Why he does not know how many jellybeans will fit into a quart jar,,,,,,,,It seems they were willing to ask anything about anything except his actual military experience and actions
I wonder if the republicans are, once again, feigning indignation and outrage because this guy is exactly who they want. Why not, he's a republican after all.
Of course uncle leon pointsettia is going to come to the defense of the new pawn. Uncle anti military Leon was put there through a series of backhanded deals between the DNC, Obama, and Paylousi for the sole purpose of taking control of the Generals and military leadership, and shredding the DOD over the past four years under the table. Same as he was called in to do with the CIA.... four years later, job almost done, uncle Leon hits the road, and they find the Hagel stooge to come in and take all the crap that is going to come over the next few years from the Obama/Leon shredding... gotta protect your scapegoats and pawns until you need to burn them.
Cowards always defend their own. This administration is anti-Israel and pro-muslim brotherhood and the RINO Chuck Hagel toes the democRAT party line. By his own words, he is anti-American, dishonorable and untrustworthy.
Ah...the neo-conservative voice. You're Party is split in two over U.S. foreign policy. Hagel is a "win-win" for the administration. If confirmed, he's a conservative Republican to oversee a wind down of Afghanistan. If not confirmed, he's further proof that the radical right eats its own.
One scumbag supporting another. Gripe about McCain all you want; he's ex-military, real ex-military unlike the imposter kerry. As for you kool aid drinkers, NO Secretrary of Defense should be "against war". It must be an option, on the table, at all times. And for the real kool aid drinkers, do a little research beyond reading cbs, nbc, cnn, et. al. and you will find that your idea of "health care for women" is a death trap psychologically and physically. Boy, is boy biden comin' out of the woodwork. Hey Iran, it's cool, let's talk. No, gun controls won't likely end shootings but wait 'till you see what we're really prepping.
Back in the day a president with class, and with America's best interests in mind, would have nominated somebody less controversial. Unfortunately we have a POTUS that is an in your face bully/brat with zero class. BTW if Panetta endorses him, you know that he is a puke.
Blamo, who is it "in your face" to for him to nominate a conservative Republican? The liberals, maybe, but that wouldn't fit your narrative.
Back in the day this whole thing would have been called a witch hunt. Mccain, Graham and Cruz had nothing positive to explore with Hagel. Too bad we didn't get Hagel's views on current problems in the military.
The chasm in the GOP continues to grow and grow and grow.
Republicans will soon be an endangered species if they continue to govern as they are now. The McCain nonsense was a clear reminder of how badly the neocon attitude toward foreign policy have screwed things up.....and we are still paying for it.
Looks like somebody gets all his info from media matters... Every time a political movement is consigned to limbo, it always returns even if in some other guise... Enjoy this while you can, it can't last...
Nothing is sweeter to hear than when the conservatives who have just failed.....have extremely unpopular ideas....and try to lecture us about "getting our info from" biased sources?!?!
Plus, Obama has a 60% approval rating and very popular ideas.
Sure....you want to put your head in the sand; that's awesome....that just makes the trench you people need to dig out of even deeper.
Most wars have been started by Democrats.
Right, Blamo. America "started" WW1 and WWII. LOL
The Obama election team is in full force on these blogs --- well funded Soros group the Obama election group team is flooding the blogs on anything that is anti-obama. Like so many in power today with American politics - Hagel is truly a political hack, Peinetta is a pin head - like so many of his fellow Pennsylvanians they lost sight of their sworn duty to uphold the constitution. Ride off in the sun-set with his nice multi-million comp plan and smile along the way.
reagon...
See, the problem for you guys(or gals) is that you keep saying the same stuff....Obama is bad, he is anti-constitution, he's a socialist blah, blah, blah. You people ALL do the same things....you make the same statements but NEVER back it up. Then, when engaged in a debate....you simply fall back on the fact that we are all dumb liberals and just cannot understand.
This "strategy" has earned you a crushing defeat in 2012....but you stay with the same game plan? I keep thinking that folks like you must be plants from the Democratic Party because nothing we do could be as effective as what you do to yourselves.
So for that, I say, 'thank you!'
Panetta admitted on Meet the Press that enhanced interrogation provided info that led to bin Laden, although trying to soften that revelation by saying that supposedly had most of those pieces already...
Now he's defending Hagel--that should be a dance of words almost as incomprehensible as his admission about waterboarding.
Oh well I feel so much better now since Leon 'we take our orders from the UN' Panetta is endorsing Hagel ...
Panetta's need to come out to cover for Hagel speaks volumes about Hagel's ineptitude. Just another Obama crony put up to rule. Next thing, Obama will try the old Presidential prerogative trick
The real "failures" and "traitors" comprise the GOP-Tea Party-Right Wing Cartel including the "Den of Thieves" from 2000 to the present. These "stoic" attacks from Republican panelists are nothing more than a frantic attempt to appear "statesmanlike" and relevant. These stoic attacks from the Republicans scumbags also serve to deflect attention from their own ineptitude and tyranny. And these frauds told Hagel that “You are out of the ‘mainstream’, in fact, you are so far out of the mainstream that you are far to the left of Obama on these issues”, meaning that Hagel violated the Republican ‘Doctrine of Lunacy’ by speaking the truth about the Bush-Cheney administration and its illegal and stupid actions…
Birds of a feather flock together. Panetta looks like a shriveled up prune and has actually done nothing to strengthen our military or even stand behind them, he had no qualifications for the job. Worse yet Hagel, who can't even give an intelligent answer to questions, is actually being considered for Secretary of Defense. Of course Panetta endorses him. Where do these clowns come from. I don't care much for McCain as he is a wolf in sheep's clothing (progressive) but also the questions he asked Hagel were perfectly justified and his questions made Hagel look like a fool. My choice would have been Allan West a true patriot and well versed in what is going on with our military.
It's called politics. Jerry Sandusky used to be treated "humanely". Most are not so lucky....not even once.
WTF. Has anyone looked up the meaning of sequester? Why do these idiots continue to misuse words? Did some jackass use it on the floor of the Senate and everyone just say," Oh, ok, Is that what it means? Ok". I'm so sick of the legalese spoken by these morons. It's no wonder they never see eye to eye on anything because nobody knows what anyone is talking about. BTW, it means" to cause to withdraw into seclusion", not spending cuts! What are we supposed to believe that our funds have gone into hiding and we can't quite find the money for the defense department? Who's logic is this? Probably comes from the same place as "Defense Department". Seems more like the "Offense Department" to me. Let 'em hold a bake sale if they need the money that bad.
It probably has to do with the specific accounting procedures involved, or something equally obscure. Yes, it is legalese. But it is either that or the "Fiscal Cliff."
I love cliffs. I jump off them all the time on my snowboard. We shouldn't fear the cliff, it builds character to face it head on and you never know til you go. Head games, just a bunch of head games.
The past is all they can get him on. I doubt they have every brought down a cabinet nomination based on policy issues alone. In politics it can only be done with "dirt."
Crazy old coot shouts at clouds thinking he's relevant.
Johnny Reb from SC is appalled that there is a black man in the White House.
Both posture, grandstand and try to get attention like small children.
Hagel did okay and WILL be confirmed despite Crazy McCain and his Confederate pal Gram.
Secretary Pinetta seems to think they spent too much times on the wrong questions. What else would he have expected from that dubious duo?
The "dubious duo" are reacting to strong Tea Party movements in their respective states. McCain shouldn't care, he's in his last term. Maybe he just hasn't realized it yet? I believe Hagel, a former, vice chairman of McCain's Presidential run in 2000, supported Obama in 2008, over Iraq. So...more than a bit of vindictiveness.
Who is Gram?
Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator from South Carolina and McCain buddy...he, McCain and Lieberman, were the "Three Amigoes," before Lieberman dropped out of politics, by not running for re-election.
But, you knew all of that, no?
Four dead Americans, just another bump in comrade obama's road to amerikka!!!
It was perhaps the wrong metaphor for the moment, but everybody knew what he meant. It is kind of a cheap thing for the Obama-haters to dwell on, but I guess that's what haters do.
When would be a good time to hold comrade obama accountable for what he says???
Any time. But you might want to concentrate on something of substance. Implying that Obama somehow didn't care about Benghazi is dishonest, juvenile, and hateful.
If he actually cared he would tell the truth, concerning benghazi and fast ans furious!!!
Slob,
If I was scared of you -or desecrated myself into having any respect for you-I would walk myself into the Ocean for the greatest good rather than being part of the greatest satanic perversion human history has ever seen...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4CRkpBGQzU
So careful slob because the very wise can't see all ends and you are at the very opposite of that spectrum because in a blink of an eye you will hit the water as well and the real measure of what you lost -and have become-will be measured as well...
Honestly, the best moral and religious advise out there...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JvK3U2gpsQ
Those bags ubder Hagel's eyes would be enough for me to vote against him! Was he Uncle Ted Kennedy's drinking buddy?