Sen. Fischer to oppose Hagel

Freshman Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said Thursday she would oppose former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s (R-Neb.) confirmation as Defense secretary. 

The decision is hardly a surprise, given Hagel’s endorsement last year of a Democrat running against after Fischer for the Senate. 

While Hagel and Fischer are both Republicans from Nebraska, Hagel sided with former Sen. Bob Kerrey in last year’s election. 

Fischer cited Hagel’s “controversial
views” and “confusing and contradictory” testimony at last week’s confirmation hearing in announcing her opposition.

“I understand no one has all the answers or is correct 100
percent of the time,” Fischer wrote in an Omaha World-Herald op-ed.

“But as an elected official, I also believe leadership requires
the humility to admit being wrong. By refusing to acknowledge previous
miscalculations on fundamental national security questions, Sen. Hagel has
failed to instill confidence that he is the right leader for this position.”

{mosads}Hagel did receive the support of Nebraska’s senior senator,
Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), who endorsed him last week. Johanns became the second
Republican to support his nomination.

Fischer is also a member of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, which will vote on Hagel’s nomination before it goes to the full
floor.

A vote in the committee was
delayed Wednesday after Republicans said they had not received enough
information from Hagel about the funding of organizations he was affiliated
with and his paid speeches.