SENATOR HAGEL'S CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.............

Former two term Republican U.S. Senator Charles "Chuck" Hagel, President Obama's second term nominee as the next Secretary of Defense, has been undergoing a rigorous and contentious five hours of Confirmation Hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee.  After formal introductions from stellar former members and Chairmen of the Armed Services Committee, former Senators Sam Nunn of Georgia; and John Warner, of Virginia; who collectively served fifty four years on the Committee; and juxtaposed initial questioning rounds by the Committee Chairman and Ranking Member, for and against his nomination - has been serverely grilled by current members of the Armed Services Committee, particularly intensely, by Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz,  p.m. Eas8about previous statements he has made on the Surge in Iraq; and his views on Israel and the Jewish Lobby in America.  The Confirmation Hearing is expected to continue through 8 p.m. Eastern Time tonight.  To Be Continued.............tdp