Gov. Dave Heineman says former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel would bring valuable military experience to the Pentagon if he's confirmed as Secretary of Defense, but he's not saying whether he would support Hagel for the job.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Dave Heineman says former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel would bring valuable military experience to the Pentagon if he's confirmed as Secretary of Defense, but he's not saying whether he would support Hagel for the job.
Heineman declined to say Monday whether he would back Hagel's confirmation, saying he wanted to leave the decision to Republican Nebraska Sens. Mike Johanns and Deb Fischer.
But Heineman, a former Army Ranger, says Hagel's combat experience in Vietnam would serve him well in the position. The Republican governor says he'd also be happy to see a Nebraskan fill the job, although he believes that Hagel angered many Republicans with his criticism of the Iraq War and his support for Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Kerrey.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
