Fox Business
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Peters: Hagel Has Earned Congressional Hearing

Details

  • Description

    Lt. Col. Ralph Peters on the president’s possible nomination for Secretary of Defense.

  • Duration 4:34
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Latest Video

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

-- former senator Chuck Hagel today to -- his next Defense Secretary.

But some Republicans in Washington are already speaking out -- tables nomination.

Over its positions and Israel and Iran.

Joining us now -- lieutenant colonel Ralph Peters.

Colonel Peters you know this is that's -- thing because.

If you read this story from the mainstream media sort of the president actually offering an olive branch to Republicans.

By bringing -- one of their own and his cabinet yet for most of -- a lot of in the GOP.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Well.

One thing I like about senator hailed along with -- like many negatives he has.

Is he's not a hard line total line Republican he's a maverick.

He stands up for what he believes.

Even though I believe so what he believes it is wrong for the verge of being -- I actually believe he's a man of integrity.

That as a lifelong supporter of Israel Charles.

He would not be my first choice for secretary of defense.

That said.

I am not about to join the conservative lynch mob organizing.

To derail his nomination I believe he has earned a fair hearing and along with his real negatives.

He's got some real positives as well we could do worse before we get to the real positive tell me about -- real negatives from your perspective.

Other real negatives very straight forward.

-- while his remarks like Israel are not if you really read them they're not as inflammatory as -- trade.

Nonetheless he appears wildly naive.

Regarding Hamas.

Regarding a wrong -- voting record in the Middle East is mixed.

He he picks his issues.

But there -- certainly some votes you know I I disagree -- I think he's -- much to soften Hamas and Iran much too soft.

But that's not the only game in town -- the sec -- Does not make our middle east policy.

There are more important issues facing the next secretary of defense -- -- not -- more important than say different pressing issues will be on his plate.

But I mean it's hard not to argue though that the Middle East right now is it's really at the center no I mean let's we know there's.

The world -- and Watson have a lot of things gone on all of the world but.

Really at the focus for the near term is on the middle list.

Well no not for the secretary of defense is should be for the president although Obama is is a wall on the Middle East.

The secretary of state has -- lead underneath the president.

But the real issues for this -- -- issue.

There's going to be defense budget cuts and they are coming.

And we can either make them Smart or we can make -- stupid.

That's senator hagel despite his faults -- middle east policy.

He he said combat veteran wounded twice in Vietnam an infantryman.

He will stand up for the troops.

And the thing I love about Chuck Hagel is that he will take on the legal corruption the bloat in defense industry.

He's gonna be an advocate for the troops -- tax -- Against.

-- the wild bloat in our defense budget where we can make cuts.

All that said.

Does his position on Israel.

Worry -- yes does his position on Iran alarm me.

Yes but I'm just saying let's give this guy a fair hearing and also Charles -- we've got a -- Obama is not you strategically.

Inept on foreign policy but these guys -- Chicago gang are brilliant politically.

And I think Obama is doing is setting it up so he knows what -- Hagel perceived in Israel so I think Obama's setting up so hagel is bad -- and Israel so Obama can be big company Netanyahu.

Don't underestimate the political students that the Obama administration they're savages I'd say what the -- -- have to be one heck of a bad cop.

To make Obama -- good cop with respect to Israel.

It's all matter degree and we -- again for your viewers I am a lifelong supporter of Israel I believe we should be want to fight.

To defend Israel but I also believe that senator hagel deserves a fair hearing not a media lynching.

I gotta tell you you know what you describe Chuck Hagel is someone who who -- forthright speaks out.

The same could be said about you in for you to talk about the conservative lynch mob coming after him you're gonna hear about that more.

I'm sure as the day goes on in we've got -- -- -- -- Charles I say what I believed to have truly that's what we appreciate you coming on and that's what we always seek out your counsel we appreciate it.

The -- colonel Ralph Peters and we'll talk to -- appreciate it thank you so much.

Load More