In Israel, Huckabee Blasts Hagel Nomination

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee said in Israel on Monday that he doubted whether former Sen. Chuck Hagel would be confirmed as Secretary of Defense.

“I think it's very much in question whether Chuck Hagel will be confirmed,” Huckabee said at a news conference reported by BuzzFeed. He is on tour with his “Israel Experience with Mike Huckabee” program. “I think the testimony of last week is extraordinarily problematic for many Democratic senators.”

Hagel, the former Nebraska senator, underwent tough questioning last week by Republicans at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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In fact, GOP committee member Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire reportedly plans to vote against Hagel’s nomination on Tuesday, while Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he would support a committee vote on the nomination.

Huckabee said that if Hagel is confirmed, Democratic Jewish senators would face the wrath from any fallout.

“If you're Chuck Schumer, if you're Carl Levin and you're a Democrat with a strong connection to the Jewish community, how can you possibly vote for Chuck Hagel and ever have credibility ever again with the Jewish community? Or for that matter with the rest of America?" Huckabee asked.