Hagel is down

[Epoetker]

Bill Kristol, at least, is being magnanimous:

So Chuck Hagel has been fired as defense secretary. We were critical of his appointment, and opposed his confirmation by the Senate. But let's be clear: Hagel has done what he was asked and what was expected of him at the Pentagon. To the degree he has deviated from the Obama White House line, he's been more right than wrong (e.g., on the threat the Islamic State poses).

So why has he been fired? Because the Obama White House needs a scapegoat. President George W, Bush fired Don Rumsfeld in connection with a change in strategy (the surge) and to bring in someone of independent stature. That's not the case today. President Obama continues to want a Pentagon with weak leadership and little independence. There's therefore no reason to expect the next two years of Obama foreign and defense policy to be any better than the past two.

Place your bets on the replacement: woman, gay, minority, or all three?

[ChaosRain]

Place your bets on the replacement: woman, gay, minority, or all three?

Why does it matter?

[Darth Executor]

Why does it matter?

I'd like to know that too. There's certainly no end of "First X Y!!!!!!!!" coming from the progressive camp.

[rogue06]

No love for Hagel but does anyone think that this was his idea to leave?

[ChaosRain]

I'd like to know that too. There's certainly no end of "First X Y!!!!!!!!" coming from the progressive camp.

I can't help but feel as though this was a poke at me, but I can't say for sure.

[Cow Poke]

No love for Hagel but does anyone think that this was his idea to leave?

[Cow Poke]

He must have ticked off Valerie Jarrett one too many times.

[One Bad Pig]

Bill Kristol, at least, is being magnanimous:

Dana Milbank is not:

When Barack Obama looks in the mirror these days, he must see a terrifying visage staring back at him: that of George W. Bush.

In a cruel echo of history, Obama is morphing into the president whose foreign policy he campaigned to overturn. Obama on Monday morning sacked his Pentagon secretary, Chuck Hagel, after huge midterm election losses in the sixth year of his presidency — just as Bush did in sacking Donald Rumsfeld after midterm losses in the sixth year of his presidency.

And he's no conservative.

[Cow Poke]

I can't help but feel as though this was a poke at me, but I can't say for sure.

CP CR

Now you can be sure.