Log Cabin Republicans take out ad against Hagel
(CNN) – A group representing gay Republicans took out a full page newspaper ad Thursday lambasting former Sen. Chuck Hagel, who President Barack Obama is considering for his next defense secretary.
“Chuck Hagel: Wrong on gay rights, wrong on Iran, wrong on Israel,” the ad from the Log Cabin Republicans read. It appeared in Thursday’s New York Times.
“Tell President Obama that Chuck Hagel is wrong for Defense Secretary. Help us create a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party,” it read.
Hagel, who represented Nebraska as a Republican in the U.S. Senate, has come under fire from both conservatives and liberals for past remarks on gays, and for his positions on Iran and Israel.
Gay rights groups hit Hagel for his 1998 remarks questioning whether a nominee for an ambassadorship was suitable because he was "openly, aggressively gay." Hagel issued an apology for the remark last week.
The former senator has also been lambasted for his opposition to unilateral sanctions against Iran, as well as for votes opposing labeling Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Hagel's opponents have also struck upon comments that some perceive as anti-Jewish in a 2007 interview, when he said the "Jewish lobby intimidated lawmakers."
The now 5-year-old comment set off a firestorm of protests from Jewish leaders and advocacy groups this week as Hagel's name was increasingly mentioned for the Pentagon's top position.
CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.
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I guess the gop his starting their campaign to be inclusive huh? Please they dont even like the people in their own party.
Hagel's choice of words in 2007 seemed to offend some people. It offended those who wanted to distract from his all too clear meaning. Hagel had declared himself unwavering in his commitment to put American interests first; ahead of Israel's interest most especially. HIs choice of words may have been inluenced by "pro-Jewish" groups coming to the defense of "pro-Israeli" groups as the political tides ebbed and flowed. Who knows?
And, who really cares? Personally, I don't anyone serving in the US Congress who puts foreign interests ahead of national interests. Seems to me that it would be violation of the oath of office. But, Republicans seem to like to swear allegiance to other oaths and hold those in higher regard than their oaths of office. That's wrong.
When both the right and left have an issue with you ....must mean you're pretty much an independent minded son of a gun. Just what we need as defence secretary!!!!
Give old Chuck Hagel a break. After all, the GOP is undergoing a radical makeover and Chuck just needs to catch up. There was a time when "Gay Republican" was unheard of. Oh yes, many gays are Republicans, they just could not say they were gay. Anyway, the GOP is joyfully in disarray right now so what was up will be down and vice versa. Let President Obama get on with his nominations and stop protesting.
Where was the Log Cabin Republicans "Romney, wrong on gay rights" ad this year?
I guess Ob will have to choose a Democrat for the position after all.
Part of the issue is that he has said things in the past that ruffle people's feathers. The better questions that people should be asking are: what can he do about getting the military budget under control; what can he do to make the DoD more transparent to lawmakers in what they spend money on (and to the rest of us with the declassified material)? I guess the other concerns are about how well will he fight for the armed forces should he be the next Sec. of Defence.
The Republicans seem to think it is up to them to choose the Obama cabinet and do not allow for any growth or change in ideas but thought Romney changing positions hourly was just fine. Face it the REAL Repub problem is that they are TOO radical and the party may disappear after 2014 election if they do not get the message from the American people that we do not like their present radical politices. Govt is elected to Work not sign pledges to Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers
My Log Cabin friends are against Hagel, but supported Romney, that's pretty hypocritical. I'm gay, I use to be a Republican. I just don't get how they can support the Republican party that we have today.
Hagel will be the next Secretary of Defense. End of story.
There will always be certain people in our country and the world that are out of touch,or think in such a narrow view as to make everything and everyone who does not think like them or look like them an enemy. Why republicans have decided to sell their souls to these small minded groups is a problem they will have to answer to their maker after their passing....while on earth they answer to us and we need to vote the bums out!!!
@Jeff–Former Republican – My Log Cabin friends are against Hagel, but supported Romney, that's pretty hypocritical. I'm gay, I use to be a Republican. I just don't get how they can support the Republican party that we have today.
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Good call Jeff. Too many gay Americans are too supportive of a party that excludes gays, minorities and anyone else they deem "unworthy". I don't know what party you chose to vote for, but dumping the GOP was a smart move. As a woman, I could not possibly vote for a party that thinks abortion should be illegal, but won't pay for birth control pills and demonizing women in general. I cannot vote for a party whose members, while being quite mortal, somehow think they are better than anyone else.
CNN couldn't be bothered to report that Hagel has actually apologized for this 1998 comment, and has said he would be supportive of LGBT military families and open service.
How about actually reporting for change rather than just transcribing scurrilous attack ads?
Not sure why a Republican would serve as Defense Secretary in the Obama administration. All they will be is a pawn used to slash the military budget. Then Democrats can say it was backed by a Republican. Wake up idiots. You are being played. This is all Obama knows how to do.
Hagel can be forgiven for what he said, BUT those who are not putting any effort to avoid the fiscal cliff happen, and let the entire nation hence the world in general suffer, will never ever be forgiven.
Pulling out comments from . . . 14 years ago on this subject seems reaching a little bit - yes, they offend me, too, but in the world of gay rights and perceptions of gay people 14 years ago is an eternity (did anyone in 1998 even think that marriage equality would be a reality in ANY state by majority vote in 2012?); as to the comments of the Jewish lobby, speaking as a Jewish American there are times when I've felt the same frustration that Hagel was expressing. This is not a fight to be having, at least from the left or the center - Hagel (and Lugar, too, for that matter, who retires next week) are the most reasonable Republican voices you're going to find on any of these issues.
The Gay 1%ers lol... Had to be someone or two that category. Romney should have let them speak at the convention.