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| Chuck Hagel – and his foes – gear up for Pentagon nomination fight | Chuck Hagel – and his foes – gear up for Pentagon nomination fight |
| (10 days later) | |
| It is shaping up to be cabinet nomination battle that pits the big guns against the big bucks. | It is shaping up to be cabinet nomination battle that pits the big guns against the big bucks. |
| On Sunday, two retired four-star generals came out in favour of President Barack Obama's pick for secretary of defence, Chuck Hagel. | On Sunday, two retired four-star generals came out in favour of President Barack Obama's pick for secretary of defence, Chuck Hagel. |
| But the lobbying efforts of General Stanley McChrystal, the US's former top commander in Afghanistan, and ex-CIA director and air force General Michael Hayden come as reports emerge of the financial clout of new shadowy groups tasked with undermining Hagel's nomination. | But the lobbying efforts of General Stanley McChrystal, the US's former top commander in Afghanistan, and ex-CIA director and air force General Michael Hayden come as reports emerge of the financial clout of new shadowy groups tasked with undermining Hagel's nomination. |
| An article in the New York Times on Sunday suggested that at least seven so-called Super Pacs – fundraising entities that rely on the money of anonymous donors – have been formed to derail the appointment of Hagel, a Republican former Nebraska senator, to the Pentagon. | An article in the New York Times on Sunday suggested that at least seven so-called Super Pacs – fundraising entities that rely on the money of anonymous donors – have been formed to derail the appointment of Hagel, a Republican former Nebraska senator, to the Pentagon. |
| Foremost among these is the conservative Americans for a Strong Defense (ASD). | Foremost among these is the conservative Americans for a Strong Defense (ASD). |
| According to the Super Pac's website, Hagel holds "out-of-the-mainstream views" and would weaken America's ability to defend itself. | According to the Super Pac's website, Hagel holds "out-of-the-mainstream views" and would weaken America's ability to defend itself. |
| "Hagel's stances – his opposition to sanctions, his belief that America is too powerful and plays too prominent a role in the world, his view that America can convince rogue states to disarm only if we disarm first – sends a dangerous signal to nations such as Iran and North Korea," ASD states on its website. | "Hagel's stances – his opposition to sanctions, his belief that America is too powerful and plays too prominent a role in the world, his view that America can convince rogue states to disarm only if we disarm first – sends a dangerous signal to nations such as Iran and North Korea," ASD states on its website. |
| The Super Pac is due to roll-out adverts in five states urging senators to vote against Hagel's appointment during the Senate's nomination hearings. | The Super Pac is due to roll-out adverts in five states urging senators to vote against Hagel's appointment during the Senate's nomination hearings. |
| Meanwhile another group, Use Your Mandate, attacks the proposed defence chief from another angle. | Meanwhile another group, Use Your Mandate, attacks the proposed defence chief from another angle. |
| Reportedly with hundreds of thousands of dollars at its disposal, Use Your Mandate has bought ad time during which it has claimed that Obama's pick is "anti-woman, anti-choice, anti-Israel, anti-gay and pro assault weapons". | Reportedly with hundreds of thousands of dollars at its disposal, Use Your Mandate has bought ad time during which it has claimed that Obama's pick is "anti-woman, anti-choice, anti-Israel, anti-gay and pro assault weapons". |
| "That's just not what we voted for in November. Chuck Hagel doesn't share our values; there are other people that can do the job," the commercial's narrator states. | "That's just not what we voted for in November. Chuck Hagel doesn't share our values; there are other people that can do the job," the commercial's narrator states. |
| Together the groups represent the latest flexing of power of Super Pacs, entities that helped the 2012's election become the most expensive White House race of all time. | Together the groups represent the latest flexing of power of Super Pacs, entities that helped the 2012's election become the most expensive White House race of all time. |
| It also reflects the problems the White House may face in putting through a defence pick that is dogged by controversy. | It also reflects the problems the White House may face in putting through a defence pick that is dogged by controversy. |
| His voting record on matters relating to gay rights has riled many of Obama's natural supporters. Meanwhile past comments in which Hagel appeared to criticise the influence that the pro-Israeli lobby in Washington has on US foreign policy has seen him attacked from the right. | His voting record on matters relating to gay rights has riled many of Obama's natural supporters. Meanwhile past comments in which Hagel appeared to criticise the influence that the pro-Israeli lobby in Washington has on US foreign policy has seen him attacked from the right. |
| Last week, former secretary of state and retired General Colin Powell went on NBC's Meet the Press to push the case for Hagel, denying accusations of antisemitism and stating that the proposed defence secretary was "superbly qualified" for the post. | Last week, former secretary of state and retired General Colin Powell went on NBC's Meet the Press to push the case for Hagel, denying accusations of antisemitism and stating that the proposed defence secretary was "superbly qualified" for the post. |
| On Sunday, McChrystal and Hayden lobbied on Hagel's behalf. Both alluded to the former senator's army experience – he earned two purple hearts after enlisting to fight in Vietnam – as evidence that he was suited for the post. | On Sunday, McChrystal and Hayden lobbied on Hagel's behalf. Both alluded to the former senator's army experience – he earned two purple hearts after enlisting to fight in Vietnam – as evidence that he was suited for the post. |
| McChrystal said that military experience was not a prerequisite for the job but it is "very helpful". | McChrystal said that military experience was not a prerequisite for the job but it is "very helpful". |
| "He already has a lot of credibility," the general added. | "He already has a lot of credibility," the general added. |
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