Hagel met with Jewish leaders
Washington (CNN) - Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel met at the White House Friday with leaders of several major American Jewish organizations as he tries to answer criticism of his past remarks and stances, several groups confirmed to CNN.
The participants refused to discuss the specifics of the meeting. The groups at the hour-long session included the Anti-Defamation League, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Conference of Major American Jewish Organizations and the American Jewish Committee.
Several of those groups have raised concerns about Hagel's past views on Israel, his use of the term "Jewish lobby," and whether he would support unilateral sanctions against Iran. Not all of the groups have opposed Hagel's nomination – AIPAC, for example, does not take public positions on nominations.
A statement from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations described the meeting as "an important opportunity for a serious and thorough discussion of key issues of importance to all of us."
Vice President Joe Biden also joined the meeting along with White House officials, the statement read.
Confirmation hearings for Hagel at the Senate Armed Services Committee are set to begin January 31.
"Tries" to answer criticism? That implies that leaders of any religion have any right to expect an answer to their attempt to criticize a political appointee. They don't. Period. Regardless of how they feel about Hagel, he will be confirmed.
........I am NOT anti Isreal.............and I just feel that Isreal USES THE USA as it can, and we have one ally in the mid East outside of Islamic countries. Now, stay with me here............IF we ever become energy independent, WHY WOULD WE NEED THE MIDDLE EAST?..............That said.........what would be the rationel to fund isreal WITH BILLIONS THAT WE BORROW TO PAY?............It doent make sense. That is what I believe is and was Hagel's point.
He's got the votes. GOP/Teatrolls just can't pass up the opoprtunity to create a societally damaging circus if they're not in control.
When Mitt Romney met with Jewish leaders everyone seemed to believe that he needed to do so. Conservatives have thrown their support to Netanyahu. Once again politicians believed the hype and then told us that the Obama administration was anti-Israel as is Sen. Hagel. Much of the hype has come from other Senators who do not want to see Hagel confirmed and then they try to speak for Israel and for the Jews in America. No group speaks for the Jews in America. It does not matter if they are religious groups or other groups trying to protect Israel. Israel has been a strong ally and that is why she should have our support just as any other country which is a strong ally.
Religion has nothing to do with it nor should it. People try to speak for other religions and the Pope does let his opinions be known on what is happening in this Country. We should not listen to them either. We need to make up our own minds and outside influences have no place in American politics.
Every political nominee must be cleared and approved by the state of Israel. If you don't like it too bad. Sounds good don't it?