During the confirmation for [spoiler alert!] now-Secretary-of-Defense Chuck Hagel, Senator Ted Cruz “raised the question of whether or not Hagel has been taking money from ‘radical and extreme groups’ and of whether he has ties to Iran”.
That turned out to be true, as Hagel had:
not been transparent in response to specific questions about compensation he may have received from foreign sources” and also gave speeches, such as one to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which were off-the-record and hidden from view.
Chuck “the Jewish lobby” Hagel (referring to his characterization of Israel supporters as such) had a lot to answer for.
Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, however, scolded Sen. Cruz for questioning a nominee who wasn’t being transparent, also known as “doing his job”:
I want to put on the record that this senator feels like Senator Cruz has gone over the line. He basically has impugned the patriotism of the nomniee. [sic] And your conclusions, which you are entitled to come to, in essence about him being cozy with Iran. You have also stated your opinion that you don’t think he’s been truthful with this committee, and those are two fairly strong statements. There’s a certain degree of comity and civility that this committee has always been known for. Clearly in the sharpness of difference of opinion — to question in essence whether somebody is a fellow traveler with another country, I think is taking it too far.
Whenever a Senator says something like “I want to put on the record” followed by bloviation, you know they’re not telling the truth, but they sure as hell want to appear like they are.
So when a nominee is endorsed by Iran, expounds political views in line with Iran, doesn’t disclose certain donations, doesn’t disclose giving some speeches which could jeopardize his nomination—it seems like this person deserves some pretty intensive questioning, especially when they’re applying for the measly position of oh, you know, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.
