[FREEBEACON] President B.O. announced Monday his nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel to secretary of defense and and John Brennan to director of the Central Intelligence Agency.The Hagel nomination formalizes what many expect to be a bruising battle for the president.
"Chuck Hagel is the leader that our troops deserve," Obama said at the event Monday.
| That comment rather demonstrates the antipathy he has for the military, doesn't it? |
Obama also praised Brennan, saying, "John knows what our national security demands." He noted Brennan's work ethic and extensive experience.
Hagel, a Republican, currently serves at co-chair of the president's Intelligence Advisory Board, a position he has held since 2009. When appointed to that role, Obama praised Hagel's "sound judgments" which he saw while traveling with Hagel to Iraq and Afghanistan during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Before becoming Obama's adviser, Hagel served two terms as a Senator from Nebraska, during which time he sat on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees. He voted for the Iraq and Afghanistan war resolutions before becoming critical of both wars.