Posted on 11/24/2014 7:51:13 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The New York Times reports that President Barack Obama is about to dismiss Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. The reason given? That the White House recognized that "the threat from the Islamic State would require a different kind of skills than those that Mr. Hagel was brought on to employ."
In other words: Hagel was brought on to downgrade the military radically, but now the military turns out to be necessary, after all.
Yet that cannot be the only reason, absent any sign that Obama is committing to a sudden, steep increase in the defense budget, and reversing the non-sequester cuts of recent years. Rather, there are two likely explanations: that Hagel has turned out to be as incompetent as his critics predicted; and that Hagel, always a loose cannon, proved too independent, promising tougher action against ISIS than Obama was prepared to authorize.
Hagel should never have been chosen for the post. He had no firm grasp of national security strategy, was weak on Iran, had a disturbing anti-Israel track record, and fumbled his confirmation hearing badly.
Other nominees, including Michèle Flournoy--who would have been the first woman to hold the post--would have been better, but Obama could not pass up the chance to use a Republican as a bipartisan fig leaf to slash the Pentagon.
That said, there is no immediate or urgent failure that ought to have triggered Hagel's departure. Until he began to "go rogue" on ISIS, he had faithfully carried out Obama's policies.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
The destruction of American military power continues under a veil of false pretenses unabated.
Can’t say that I will be the least bit sorry to see Hagel go, even if he is exactly what BO ordered.
Is Bowe Bergdahl looking for a new job, yet?
Maybe he refused to totally destroy the US Nuclear Arsenal ?
We all know that, no news there.
The question is when will he be tried, convicted, and punished for his crimes against our people?
Hagel was always a foil. The DOD policies were set IN the White House and Hagel was grateful for the opportunity to play the charade. Now that act has run aground and someone who LOOKS more aggressive is needed for the more aggressive LOOK Obama wants now. This is all no joke. The lower level DIA people told Congress and told Obama’s people that ISIS was no joke and a threat, but Obama (and Clapper), NOT Hagel, said no, they’re a JV team.
So, from the Obama WH it’s “O.K. Chuck, we did not listen to your people, but now you’ll have to take the fall for that.” Pity Hagel? No. He was in over his head and out of his element all along.
You think I am kidding, why yes I am, but with the unmitigated Gaul of this crowd, nothing would surprise me...
“the threat from the Islamic State would require a different kind of skills than those that Mr. Hagel was brought on to employ.” ....
In other words he, being ex-military, Hagel realized what it will take to eliminate ISIS. What oudmbo and his ilk have in mind will NOT work. (Beside, odumbo doesn’t have the taste for killing muslims, today or otherwise)
Is this the First Obama firing or is it just a DISTRACTION from his Illegals
Someone from the Muslim Brotherhood taking over?
Could Hagel have decided to exit on his own and Obama must make it look like it was his (Obama’s) decision? The others who have gone have not wanted to go, so it had to look like their own decision. This one is the reverse. Bammy is quickly running out of people to blame for his own disasters.
Guess we’ll have to wait for Hagel’s book to find out.
Obviously, John Kerry needs to be made Secretary of Defense, because he was in Viet Nam.
He could be replaced as Secretary of State by somebody who is sophisticated and has an international outlook, like, say, Arianna Huffington.
Black President Fires Token White Man
Cites incompetence although the President’s Cabinet is comprised entirely of the most incompetent people the president could identify.
A presidential spokesman released this statement:
“The president hopes this will divert attention and anger from his recent amnesty Executive Order - at least until the Ferguson grand jury releases its decision in the Michael Brown killing.”
No, no, no! No more! Not this time, consigliere. No more meetin’s, no more discussions,...................
What we need is a “War Consigliere”
Obama would hire Fredo.
I think Hagel left on his own...for a lot of reasons...but chiefly because Obuma delayed action in Iraq...and has planned boots on the ground.....for months. Then, there’s lengthening our presence in Afghanistan. It’s a mess.
Obama would hire Paulie or Carlo.
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