WASHINGTON — US Senate Republicans have succeeded in delaying a confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel's nomination as defense secretary, but signaled they would eventually relent and allow a vote after they return from their recess on Feb. 25. But the week long Senate recess gives outside interest groups opposed to Hagel's nomination more time to sharpen their attack against President Barack Obama's choice. They're promising to scour Hagel's record and to pressure senators to vote against him. But that leaves an uncomfortable gap for Hagel and the White House, which doesn't want any surprises that would further delay or possibly derail an already difficult confirmation. Even if Hagel is confirmed, his relations with Republicans could be colder than the Obama administration might have hoped. In choosing Hagel, the White House expected him to be an asset, not a liability, among Republicans who are often critical of Obama's national security policies. “You need a strong secretary of defense, and I think through this process he's been weakened, and it might be better to just go back to the drawing board,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon told reporters on Friday. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the delay was a political tactic and that Obama is still confident Hagel will be confirmed. “I wouldn't be surprised if there are additional politics that are injected into this circumstance,” he said. “It is extremely unfortunate.” While Hagel has said he's a strong supporter of Israel, his past reference to “the Jewish lobby” and opposition to a military strike against Iran antagonized pro-Israel groups. The Emergency Committee for Israel said it will continue to try to convince a majority of senators that there are better choices to lead the US armed forces and manage the federal government's largest bureaucracy. “The nomination process has moved faster than the disclosure process, and it's likely we still don't know everything we should about Hagel's record,” said Noah Pollak, the group's executive director. “The upcoming week is a chance to catch up.” The Republican-leaning Americans for a Strong Defense also plans to take full advantage of the break. Spokesman Ryan Williams said the organization is stepping up a campaign to flood Senate offices with calls from constituents who want to see Hagel's nomination rejected. McCain and fellow Sen. Lindsay Graham had been blocking Hagel's confirmation until they received information from the White House on when Obama contacted Libyan officials after the attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi last September, in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed. The White House responded to the question Thursday, but that did not stop Republicans from blocking a confirmation vote on Hagel, at least temporarily. “I would argue that this man's record, when it comes to Iran and Israel, and statements he has made, puts him well out of the mainstream,” Graham said. Hagel is not without support from a potent constituency: military veterans. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, and the American Legion have all backed him. — AP
