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Hagel: I've lost confidence in Rumsfeld

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Apr 17, 2006 - 06:35:36 pm CDT

Sen. Chuck Hagel said Monday he shares the lack of confidence in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld separately voiced by six retired generals.

“The concern I’ve had is, at a very dangerous time, (the) secretary of defense does not command the respect and confidence of our men and women in uniform,” Hagel said.

“There is a real question about his capacity to lead at this critical time,” he said.

Story Photo
Hagel

“I have had many conversations with military leaders about their concern about what’s happening at the Pentagon and with our force structure.”

Hagel first expressed lack of confidence in Rumsfeld a year ago.

Concerns expressed by the six generals, four of whom served under Rumsfeld, should be taken seriously, the Nebraska Republican said.

Hagel was questioned about the issue during a conference call from Washington in which he briefed reporters about his trip last week to India and Pakistan.

The public criticisms voiced by the generals probably are unprecedented in modern times, Hagel said.

Hagel, who warned against a precipitate U.S. military attack on Iraq without broad international support and careful planning for the aftermath, said President Bush “needs to make the call” about Rumsfeld.

Responding to criticism from the generals, Bush has expressed his continued confidence in his defense secretary.

“The president has that responsibility,” Hagel said.  “He’s not asked for my advice on Iraq.”

On another issue, Hagel said he believes the Senate will provide the 60 votes required to end debate and approve a comprehensive immigration reform bill after considering a number of amendments.

Hagel is co-author of a compromise proposal dealing with illegal immigrant workers already living in the United States.  Under his plan, most of the estimated 11 million illegal workers could earn their way to legal status.

Senate consideration of a number of amendments should precede a vote for cloture ending debate, Hagel said.

“Let everybody be heard, and then let’s fix the problem,” he said.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.


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Tom wrote on April 17, 2006 8:18 pm:
" It is insignificant what Sen. Hagel thinks. He no longer holds the views of the majority of Nebraskans. He has greater support amongst the Democrats than the majority party of Nebraska. Sen. Hagel only is concern about how he can gain headlines to promote his desire to be President. The truth of the matter is that I am doubtful that Sen. Hagel can carry Nebraska as a candidate for President of the United States or Senator. "

 LEW wrote on April 17, 2006 9:28 pm:
" I lost confidence in Hagel two years ago. "

 Richard wrote on April 17, 2006 10:32 pm:
" I would like to vote for Pete Ricketts in the upcoming election for Senator but Ben Nelson will be getting my vote (again). I just wish it was Ricketts vs Hagel. "

 Chuck wrote on April 18, 2006 3:40 am:
" He still has the 2nd most conservative voting record in the Senate. You should look at the numbers, armchair quarterback. "

 Leroy wrote on April 18, 2006 4:40 am:
" Hagel needs to shut up! "

 Bill wrote on April 18, 2006 9:04 am:
" Sen. Hagel has a right [and a DUTY]to express these reservations IN PRIVATE to the Commander-in Chief....Public expressions, such as his usually are, merely give aid and comfort to those who have vowed to destroy us. "

 Hank wrote on April 18, 2006 10:15 am:
" Leroy wants Hagel to "Shut up" and Tom writes "He no longer holds the views of the majority of Nebraskans." Could that be because Hagel actually thinks while the majority of Nebraskans find it all too easy to stick to preconceptions that do not match realisty? By all means, we need to discuss the Iraq mess Bush has gotten us into. And we need to do this soon before he gets us and the whole world into an even bigger mess in Iran. And we need to deal with 10 million or more undocumented people (yes, Nebraskans, they are people like you and me) that have made this country their home. Sorry, Nebraskans, but these are issues that will not be solved by "shutting up". They require intelligent solutions, and Senator Hagel at least is willing to give then serious thought. "

 Keven wrote on April 18, 2006 12:29 pm:
" Senator Hagel is speaking out and rightly so I am not so sure that his speaking out has to do with his bid to be the next president, and realy this has nothing todo with the discussion, I am hoping he has finally gotten a back bone, as most head in the sand nebraskans should, the blind leadind the blind is what this administration is all about bush wants a bunch of followers that walk in lock step and NEVER QUESTION ANY THING, and thats what he has in Nebraska. When did the people of Nebraska STOP THINKING for themselves, when did Nebraskans become mindless automans that believe the lies being spewed by this administration, we better do somthing or little king george will have this country ruined beyond repair, at this point in time we have lost our standing in the eyes of the rest of the world, we are seen as nothing more than a bunch of thugs rather than the nation that was always the first people on the scene to help. "

 Paul wrote on April 18, 2006 12:54 pm:
" People that say their elected leaders should shut up and get in step with the other zombies in the Republican party would make "good Germans" in 1938. Senator Hagel speaks his mind as a citizen and senator. This is what living in a free society is all about. What exactly are you avocating? "

 Andy wrote on April 18, 2006 1:55 pm:
" So he's trying to make a bid for President by speaking out against the current president. Good. Being outta step with a majority of Nebraskans is probably good if he's going National. Maybe he's out-grown this state and it's ultra-conservative narrow-minded approach to National Politics. Atleast while he is Nebraska's Senator he's voting in line with the majority (conservatively). Now that it's time for him to step up, he's gotta break out of the "midwest" mold and think on a larger scale. Good luck to him. "

 Josh wrote on April 18, 2006 2:28 pm:
" I applaud Hagel sticking his neck out to speak his mind. Even though the alternate reality reporting provided by Fox News may tell Nebraskans that Hagel has become a bad guy by speaking out against this horribly corrupt administration, I hold onto hope that more and more of us will open our eyes to see what is going on here. Rumsfeld would be getting off easy if he were only "fired", Bush and Rumsfeld truly deserve to be sitting side-by-side in front of the war crimes tribunal in the Hague, but of course we all know that'll never happen. "

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