Kerry as Secretary of State may make we weep in sorrow for our nation's foreign policy, but this article on his listening tour explains why I also want to curl up into a fetal position when I contemplate Hagel's pending confirmation as Secretary of Defense:
Recent statements by Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Kerry and Defense Secretary-designate Chuck Hagel have persuaded Tehran that Washington is still chasing the mirage of a “grand bargain” with the mullahs.
Kerry’s position on Syria is the subject of even greater suspicion in the region. ...
Kerry now says all this was prompted by a desire to promote peace. He also calls it a bipartisan effort, since Hagel joined him on two visits.
Ah, there's the Hagel role in the Obama administration: to disguise Democratic retreat by asserting that the nominal Republican Hagel's involvement constitutes "bipartisanship."
Of course, I think that is only one role. Mostly, Secretary of Defense Hagel with that coveted (R) after his name will allow President Obama to blame a Republican for future deficiencies in the military.
I say, make it trapezoid shaped, just for fun.