More Chuck Hagel Pushback: Israel Group Airs Attack Ad
EmailThe Chuck Hagel fight has taken to the airwaves.
As pro-Israel groups continue to wrangle over Chuck Hagel, reportedly President Obama’s likely nominee for secretary of defense, the conservative Emergency Committee for Israel plans to air a new ad on cable TV in the Washington, D.C., area today and Friday.
The group, launched by Weekly Standard editor and noted neo-conservative William Kristol, blasts the former Nebraska senator for his stance on Iran — a refrain multiple Jewish and pro-Israel groups have hit since Hagel’s name first surfaced.
Hagel does have his defenders on Israel, though, most notably among moderate and left-leaning columnists and the group J Street, which consistently pits itself against Israel’s staunchest and hardest-line backers.
Here’s the new ad:
Obama Taps Sen. Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary 
Sen. Chuck Hagel's Defense Nomination Draws Criticism 
There are many reasons to be against Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense:
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record.
Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions.
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions.
Voted YES on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion.
Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines.
Rated 11% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance.
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation.
Rated 0% by the Human Rights Campaign, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance.
Rated 17% by the Camgaign for America’s Future, indicating opposition to energy independence.
Voted NO on capping of foreign aid at only $12.7 billion.
Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections.
Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts.
Voted NO on factoring global warming into federal project planning.
Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation.
Besides these, are the points raised by the Washington Post, that he will not be able to lead America’s and Obama’s policy to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s official government press TV endorsed him this week.
Many who know him well say he is a poor manager.
and his comments about a Jewish lobby are condescending and racist. Imagine saying exactly the same thing about the NAACP or La Raza!
This post needs someone diplomatic not a hothead.
Posted by: Jean | December 20, 2012, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
The NAACP and AIPAC et al. are not comparable organizations. The Israeli lobbying groups are promoting the needs of a foreign nation. As such, advancing an agenda to benefit Israel is their ultimate priority.
The objectives of each of those countries are not the same.
I wish that Israel would not interfere in our politics. It is not helpful to Americans. In fact, I do not support giving so much aid to Israel at a time when we need revenues to finance our own country’s needs.
It’s an issue that Americans need to seriously consider.
Posted by: polchat | December 20, 2012, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
AMERICA-
Educate yourself on what fuels our country’s politicians to be involved in Middle Eastern problems. You ARE NOT being pro-terrorist, or anti-semitic when you draw concern or question “Why are we supporting Israel.” You love our country as does everyone else who is American. Open your mind and open your eyes… You are being fed lies and being manipulated by the Israeli lobby… Be a patriot and speak up! Mr. Hagel is NOT anti-semitic! He is PRO-AMERICAN! Know the difference and we will understand that his ideology is based on and embodies American courage.
Posted by: F. S. | December 20, 2012, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Stop giving tax money away . That is NOT the mission of goverment. We need lower taxes to get the country going .
Posted by: netstarr77 | December 20, 2012, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
From what I understand of this story…this group of Israeli right wing hawks are teaming up with our own ‘neo con hawks’ to defeat Mr. Hagel. in that case? I’d say he is DEFINITELY the right man for the job. Because just like the President…he won’t ‘pander’ to them either.
Posted by: CND FOX | December 20, 2012, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
What’s with the non-grammatical headline? Shame on you!
Posted by: Will | December 20, 2012, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
If Bill K. and the friends of AIPAC are against Chuck then he must be the right choice!!!! If Hagel is not confirmed it shows that we do not control our own Dept. of Defense. Our own government for that matter.
Posted by: Art Skell | December 23, 2012, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
His 85 rating by the American Conservative Union isn’t good enough to please Tea Party. Of course, Dick Cheney is too liberal for them also (you know, the “deficits don’t matter” comment).
Posted by: Joseph | January 6, 2013, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
why is it a bad thing that our future secretary of defense isn’t pandering to a foreign nation with a paranoid, antagonistic prime minister
Posted by: Will Poundstone | January 6, 2013, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Hagel is the sort who can cloak his anti-Jew dialogue in pro-American language. It’s what certain Europeans and OPEC can agree on, so Obama will try it here.
Posted by: PEIKOVYAN | January 6, 2013, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
Obama is the Presidemt of the US , not Israel. I didn’t like the fact that their leaders were over here in our country telling us who to vote for in our election. Now they are telling the president who to appoint. Take my advice. Get away from the GOP. They will ruin you. I llove Israel and her people, but you are on the wrong path.
Posted by: connie | January 8, 2013, 6:05 am 6:05 am