By Robert F. Boyd

Chuck Hagel visits the troops in Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons)

Chuck Hagel is the former senator from Nebraska nominated by the administration as the next secretary of defense. There was the usual ploy by administrations to determine what political baggage their potential choice may carry. In other words, is there going to be a messy battle during his or her confirmation hearings? We have seen how this works when Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador, was in the mix for secretary of state. The howls from the Republicans were so ear-shattering that she withdrew her name. What does this portend for Hagel?

Hagel, a Republican, has committed the political sin of not being loyal to Israel and being soft on Iran. This has unleashed a torrent of outrage among the Israeli apologists: neo-conservatives, American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Republican Jewish Coalition, the National Jewish Democratic Council, The Israel Project and the Zionist Organization of America. Their outcries have been magnified by commentary pieces in major newspapers. What has Hagel said that makes him such a target of vitriol?

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Boyd is a former professor and science writer. He lives in Daleville.