Is the target Hagel, Obama, or both? The character of the attack on Hagel leads me to question whether or not the real target of the anti-Hagelites is the president. After all, one of the reasons some pro-Israeli detractors don't want Hagel as SecDef is their fear that he would only reinforce Obama's own alleged instincts to be soft on the mullahs and hard on Benjamin Netanyahu. Presumably, that's one reason he's even in the running for the job -- they share similar views on many matters. The president isn't seen as warm and fuzzy when it comes to bonding with Netanyahu or the Israelis. So if Hagel's opponents can indeed sink him, it sends a message on these matters to the White House, too.
Withholder-in-chief: Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran sanctions: Much has been made of Hagel's views on other matters -- talking to Hamas, changing tack on Hezbollah, and questioning the value of sanctions against Iran. On all these issues, Hagel's views are out of synch with current U.S. policy. I disagree with the former senator on all three (and make no mistake, should the nomination move ahead, he'll be pressed on all three).
But we're kidding ourselves if we think Chuck Hagel will be in a position to influence the debate on any of them. As I've written elsewhere, Barack Obama is the most withholding and controlling U.S. president on foreign policy since Richard Nixon. All power on the big and sensitive issues flows in and out of the White House, as John Kerry will discover too. Obama dominates; he doesn't delegate. Don't like what Hagel has to say on Hamas? Not to worry. Unhappy about his views on sanctions? Never mind. His views on this and other matters won't count for much.
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