Chuck Hagel: Would it be a mistake for Obama to name another GOP defense secretary?

President Obama is likely to pick former Republican senator Chuck Hagel to be his next defense secretary, several news outlets reported Thursday. The nomination could come as soon as this month, as the current Pentagon chief, Leon Panetta, 74, prepares to return to private life in Obama's second term. Hagel, like Obama, was a critic of the war in Iraq, and he is the co-chair of the president's Intelligence Advisory Board. There are still other contenders, including former defense undersecretary Michele Flournoy, but one Democrat says Hagel's appointment is "almost a done deal." Hagel, a Nebraskan who was wounded twice as an Army infantryman in Vietnam, would be Obama's second GOP defense secretary — when Obama took office, he kept on Bob Gates, who served in the role under George W. Bush. Is putting another Republican in charge of the Pentagon a smart move?

Yes. It shows the president is open to bipartisanship: Obama can't lose by appointing Hagel, says Stephen M. Walt at Foreign Policy. Like Gates, he's a moderate Republican realist — he's "a staunch advocate of a strong defense," yet opposed to squandering our resources and prestige "on misbegotten crusades." Nominating a well-known Republican demonstrates Obama's commitment to bipartisanship. If GOP senators try to torpedo his confirmation, they'll show "how petty, extreme, and out of touch they are."

"Top 5 reasons Obama should pick Chuck Hagel for SecDef"

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Choosing a Republican sends the wrong message: "Democratic presidents should stop buying into the Republican propaganda that Democrats can't be trusted with national defense," says Meteor Blades at Daily Kos. Republicans have held the top Pentagon job for 51 of the last 65 years. Every Democrat except Jimmy Carter has had at least one GOP defense chief; not one GOP president has appointed a Dem to the job. Obama should pick one of the many choices from his own party to run the Pentagon.

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Neither side wins or loses politically: Hagel is "known chiefly for harshly criticizing other Republicans, especially on Iraq," says Allahpundit at Hot Air. Still, some Democrats who are up for re-election might find "his past criticism of Israel" to be a burden. Regardless, Hagel should sail to confirmation — "the Senate tends to go easy on its alums." And honestly, it won't make much difference politically. "Who cares whether it's an R or D at Defense if it's O in the White House?"

"Report: Chuck Hagel 'likely' to be nominated as next Secretary of Defense"