Bloomberg is reporting that former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is "likely" to be nominated as Secretary of Defense, where he would succeed Leon Panetta.

Bloomberg reports that President Barack Obama invited Hagel to the White House last week to discuss the position, and that he has passed the "vetting process."

Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran, was a U.S. Senator from 1997-2009, when he decided not to seek re-election. He is the co-chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. Hagel endorsed Obama in the 2008 election, and he is close with Vice President Joe Biden from their time together in the Senate.

Hagel was a critic of the administration of President George W. Bush during his time in the Senate, especially on the Iraq War. He famously slammed the administration for saying it was "irresponsible" to "send mixed signals" to troops by criticizing the Iraq War.

"To question your government is not unpatriotic -- to not question your government is unpatriotic," Hagel said in a 2005 speech. He also said it was "absolutely a replay" of the Vietnam War.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/chuck-hag...2#ixzz2ExhSR1Wr

If this happens it would not be good for Israel--His anti-Israel views is why Obama would appoint him.

A quick overview of Hagel’s record with Israel:



In August 2006, Hagel was one of only 12 Senators who refused to write the EU asking them to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
In October 2000, Hagel was one of only 4 Senators who refused to sign a Senate letter in support of Israel.
In November 2001, Hagel was one of only 11 Senators who refused to sign a letter urging President Bush not to meet with the late Yasir Arafat until his forces ended the violence against Israel.
In December 2005, Hagel was one of only 27 who refused to sign a letter to President Bush to pressure the Palestinian Authority to ban terrorist groups from participating in Palestinian legislative elections.
In June 2004, Hagel refused to sign a letter urging President Bush to highlight Iran’s nuclear program at the G-8 summit.
And here’s what the anti-Israel group, CAIR wrote in praise of Hagel: “Potential presidential candidates for 2008, like Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Joe Biden and Newt Gingrich, were falling all over themselves to express their support for Israel. The only exception to that rule was Senator Chuck Hagel…” [Council on American-Islamic Relations, 8/28/06]