Pentagon front-runner Hagel has strong Obama ties

WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Chuck Hagel is a contrarian Republican moderate and decorated Vietnam combat veteran who is likely to support a more rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

As President Barack Obama’s top candidate for defence secretary, Hagel has another credential important to the president: a personal relationship with Obama, forged when they both were in the Senate and strengthened during overseas trips they took together.

Hagel, 66, emerged last week as the front-runner for the Pentagon’s top job, four years after leaving behind a Senate career in which he carved out a reputation as an independent thinker and blunt speaker.

Wounded during the Vietnam War, Hagel backed the Iraq war, but later became a fierce and credible critic of the Bush administration’s war policies. He opposed President George W. Bush’s plan to send an additional 30,000 troops into Iraq — a move that has been credited with stabilizing the chaotic country — as “the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam, if it’s carried out.”

While Hagel supported the Afghanistan war resolution, over time he has become more critical of the decadeplus conflict, with its complex nation-building effort.

If nominated — an announcement could come this week — and confirmed by the Senate, Hagel would succeed Defence Secretary Leon Panetta who has made it clear he intends to leave early next year.

Hagel’s possible selection has been met with initial praise from key members of the Senate, including the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin, who said Hagel would be “terrific.”

The choice could trigger opposition from some Jewish groups and may worry Democrats concerned about Israel-related issues. Hagel has criticized discussion of a military strike by either the U.S. or Israel against Iran.