Sheldon Richman on Chuck Hagel's Retreat

Some observers are mystified by Chuck Hagel's pathetic showing at his Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, but as Sheldon Richman explains, there should be no mystery about it. He performed as he did for one simple reason: He wants to be the next secretary of defense, and he (along with the White House) must have calculated that standing up for his past positions would have harmed his chances.