Mark Steyn has it right about Hagel:
He seems to be all but entirely loathed by his own party. Nevertheless, he is technically a Republican, not to mention a bona fide war hero. Only Nixon can go to China, and only a pro-life, pro-gun, climate-denialist, homophobic, Strom Thurmond–loving, medal-draped Republican can go to the Pentagon and tell them to start clearing out their desks. Obama has picked a guy whose rhetoric is more anti-Pentagon than his own, and who, unlike most of the cabinet senators, has a record of executive experience that suggests he may well live up to it.
If he pulls it off, it’ll be a big part of Obama’s legacy. And, if he doesn’t, I’m sure the media will be happy to remind everyone that, oh well, Hagel was a Republican.
Obviously, Steyn is right because I agree with him. President Obama wants someone willing to "buck" his own (nominal) party:
President Obama wants someone willing to buck his own party good and hard on defense.
Hagel will carry out orders to gut the Pentagon and will have that coveted "R" after his name to make sure the blame is properly cast away from the president and his party.
The president wants to fight this battle the way he fights the war on terror--remotely. The grim Reaper will be on the way to Arlington if Hagel is confirmed by the Senate.
Hagel will have his own kill list drawn up by the Oval Office. Anyone working in the E Ring should stay away from their window--that target matrix has five sides.
The president may not understand the concept of "winning" wars, but in domestic politics he grasps that winning elections has consequences.
