Past remarks on Israel, gays cast cloud over Hagel pick

PARIS - France 24

Former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) (R) speaks after U.S. President Barack Obama (L) nominated him to replace U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta as Defense Secretary during an event in the East Room at the White House on January 7, 2013 in Washington, DC. ABACA photo

After fighting Republicans over taxes, spending cuts, and the woman he initially envisioned taking over for Hillary Clinton at the State Department, US President Barack Obama is bracing for his next post-re-election battle.

His decision to nominate Chuck Hagel, former Republican senator from Nebraska and Vietnam veteran, as secretary of defence has indeed drawn sharp rebukes from both sides of the political aisle, and has ruffled feathers among American Jews and gays, two key groups of Obama supporters. In other words, grumbling is coming from several corners.


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