Senator Boxer to Support Hagel Nomination as Defense Secretary
By Michael Shepard - Jan 14, 2013 11:35 PM ET
California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer endorsed her former GOP colleague for Defense Secretary late Monday evening. Boxer had withheld support after President Obama nominated the Nebraskan last week, citing questions about his position on Israel, women’s issues and gays and lesbians.
Boxer said she spoke with Hagel “extensively” by telephone last week and received a detailed written response to her questions late Monday.
In a telephone press call, Boxer said Hagel answered all her concerns, and said he fully supports President Obama’s policies. She said he told her he considered his reference to “the Jewish lobby” one of his biggest mistakes and wished he could take it back. As for his support for Israel, Boxer said, “I’m not worried about it.”
Boxer said Hagel’s voting record was consistently pro-Israel. “I feel people are being very unfair,” Boxer said. Citing his votes and writings, she said, “It’s not true that he hasn’t always believed there’s a deep and abiding connection between our two nations.”
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-15/senator-boxer-to-support-hagel-nomination-as-defense-secretary.html
