In this case he's trying to swing to the right.
Logically, you're correct. But I don't think that's what's going on here. Hagle hasn't ever distinguished himself as an opponent of GOP overspending. What's with the sudden attack of thrift?
If you look at all of the positions Hagle has taken over the last eight to twelve months, the only pattern that emerges is an attempt to down-talk the administration and cozy up to the Dems.
This is a pre-presidential bid 'move to the center'. Nothing more.