Chuck Hagel For Secretary of Defense? Perfect!

...for the Obama administration, that is. Apparently, our less-than-sharp National Security Adviser Jim Jones (and isn't that a pattern in this administration as well, smart guys who turn out to be not that bright?) is pushing the Republican Hagel for the SecDef job once Robert Gates beats his retreat.

Politco sums up his resume:

He opposed the war in Iraq, has spoken of the need to leave Afghanistan, and...has infuriated supporters of Israel for a refusal to sign on to the many statements of support on the Hill for the Jewish State, and by suggesting the more dispassionate approach to that conflict that — on some days — Obama seems to prefer.

Jennifer Rubin fleshes out a legacy of stands that sound like something out of the liberal playbook:

in 2006, when Hezbollah’s attacks provoked Israeli retaliation and the war in Lebanon, Hagel screeched for the president to demand an immediate cease-fire, arguing it was essential in order to “enhance America’s image and give us the trust and credibility to lead a lasting and sustained peace effort in the Middle East.” Our credibility, in his eyes, depends on the United States’s preventing Israel from defending itself.

Last year, Hagel signed a letter urging Obama to open direct negotiations with Hamas, a position so extreme that Obama hasn’t (yet) embraced it.

On Iran, Hagel was one of two senators in 2004 to vote against renewal of the Libya-Iran sanctions act.

In 2007 Hagel wanted to open direct, unconditional talks with Iran. In 2007 he voted against designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. In 2008 he voted against Iran sanctions....

And, of course, he is a signed and sealed member of the Jewish Conspiracy Cabal:

In an interview quoted in Aaron David Miller’s book on the peace process called The Much Too Promised Land, Hagel said: “The political reality is that … the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here.”

Rubin seems to feel that this is a trial balloon, that Obama (even under the guise of "bi-partisanship") would never force his damaged party into a confirmation fight over a Senator who's views are out of touch with the American mainstream.

Hmm. And nobody thought he would continue to push health care reform after Blue Massachusetts rebuked him with Scott Brown. And nobody thought he would stand up and support the Ground Zero mosque against the desires of all but the political class. And so on...

Don't expect Obama to give a whit about what the public thinks, this is about advancing his agenda, and the Hagel appointment would be a step towards doing so. Sure, it would likely turn the American people against each other again, and would certainly cost his party a few more seats in November, but...since when has Obama cared how many bodies of his fellow Americans he had to walk over to get what he wants?

Watch for it...