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Sen. Cruz Confronts Chuck Hagel With Old Audio on Israel in Heated Confirmation Hearing Exchange

Jan. 31, 2013 4:31pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Sen. Ted Cruz Hammers Chuck Hagel Over Past Israel Statements

Getty, AP photos

In some of the most talked-about fireworks to come from defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel’s Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asked Hagel whether he thinks the state of Israel has “committed war crimes” — after confronting him with an old clip in which he seemed to agree with the characterization.

“The caller suggested the nation of Israel has committed war crimes. And your response to that was not to dispute that characterization but indeed to describe what he said as, quote, “Well I think that’s exactly right,” Cruz said to Hagel after the 2009 clip from Al Jazeera English played. “Do you think the nation of Israel has committed war crimes?”

“No I do not, senator. I’d want to look at the full context of the interview, but to answer your question, no,” Hagel said.

Cruz objected that the clip contained all the necessary context, then went on to say that “a suggestion that Israel has committed war crimes is particularly offensive, given that the Jewish people suffered under the most horrific war crimes in the Holocaust.”

“I would also suggest that for the secretary of defense or the prospective secretary of defense not to take issue with that claim is highly troubling.”

Next, Cruz went to a quote from a Senate floor speech Hagel gave in 2006 where he ”referred to Israel’s military campaign against the terrorist group Hezbollah as a, quote, ‘sickening slaughter.’”

Hagel again said he’d want the full context of the speech, which Slate noted was that “The sickening slaughter on both sides must end.”

Cruz then went to another clip from Al Jazeera program when a host read a reader email suggesting the U.S. had been as the world’s bully. Hagel didn’t refute the characterization, calling it a relevant observation, but told Cruz he didn’t say he agreed with it.

“To go on Al Jazeera, a foreign network broadcasting propaganda to nations that our hostile to us, and to explicitly agree with a characterization of the United States as the world’s bully, I would suggest is not the conduct one would expect of a secretary of defense,” Cruz said.

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Related:

‘Will You Please Answer the Question’: McCain’s Fiery Exchange With Chuck Hagel Over the Iraq Troop Surge

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Comments (192)

Totally Domestic
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 8:28pm
Ted Cruze’s Tx. barbeque of a jackal.

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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 8:33pm
  Hey folks: I THINK WE HAVE FOUND OUR GEORGE WASHINGTON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
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Juniemoon
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 8:17pm
Anyone who votes for this man better be prepared to have lots of blood on their hands, his job along with Panetta is nothing more than a plot to destroy our military. Our country is headed for some very dark days. So many of these dims and rhinos have sold their soul to Gas Chamber George Soros and his pathetic progressive groups. A strong delusion has bewitched so many on the left, they are legion, they are reprobates, they are on a path to death and destruction. They are gone.

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hannah
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:58pm
Right on Ted Cruz. I pray, that anti-American never gets confirmed. It’s plain to see he thinks like obozo and the rest of the leftists who hate America.

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sandrunner
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:54pm
hagel is a evil man

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patriot30-378
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:54pm
Thank god Hagel left Nebraska when he did. He would sell his mother to further his career. He is a power hungry fool, just like the leader of the braindead in the oval office.

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ICEDRAGONNITE
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:50pm
Another Traitor is to be confirmed!

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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 8:36pm
  TRAITOR EXTRAORDINAIRE! BO’s favorite type
  
  Report this comment
Verceofreason
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:42pm
John McCain needs an enema.

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ExtremeLeft
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:23pm
These 2 Cuban – Americans Rubio and Cruz think that they have escaped socialism. Don’t they understand that they came here for nothing. The great socialist system has won the ultimate price. We have conquered the great Capitalist Empire and there is nowhere to run. Our great comrade Obama will annihilate the Tea Party and all those capitalist pigs. So much for the Exile comrades we have caught up to you. We must sent you back and have our comrade Castro deal with you once and for all.

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- Fubared
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:28pm
  Toke up man. You may as well escape all reality instead of just a little. Hahahaha. Sure.
  
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hjablo
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:13pm
The State of Israel, doesn’t ask America for anything, except moral support and the opportunity to purchase equipment to defend itself. I find it interesting that posts like this one, bring out the Anti-Semites, who probably agree with a guy like Hagel. I’d bet that Hagel’s money, is coming from Arab sources. This guy seems to hate Jews, Israelis and yes, even his own country (which he served). Perfect choice for Obama, like minds find each other. One more thing, you haters out there, “stick it where the sun don’t shine”. Ted Cruz, Conservatives need to do more of what you did – straight confrontation of crazy, hating, liberal nut jobs!. Go Ted.

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daniel3839
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:08pm
First off. TED CRUZ FOR PRESIDENT! 2016!

He has been clobbering Obamabots since the day he took office and he puts people in a place THEY CANT GET OUT OF! What a leader.

Now if what Ted Cruz just busted this guy saying is not enough to laugh him out of the room… WHAT IS!? You think if you where in a job interview for this position that the interview wouldn’t end immediately and they would say THANKS BUT NO THANKS!?

We are the WORLD BULLY? He is bashing our own country and all over the world and OBAMA appoints the SOB for secretary of defense! THIS NATION HAS GONE INSANE!

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garbagecanlogic
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:08pm
Poor old chuckie, he spent all day taking it in the shorts……………except when the dummycrats were kissing up to him (sickening when the West Virginia senator all but went down and kissed his arse).

The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.S. Out Of The U.N.

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ROB RAGE
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:02pm
Senator Cruz 2016…..He is our ~~Not so secret anymore~~weapon to take back the White House from the Sal Salinsky Crew~~Fantastic interview…I Love to see Lefties squirm like a worm on a hook~~~Hagel was doing the Jackie Gleason…Homina…Homina…What a sorry, pathetic Marxist, Benedict Arnold Moron…He isn’t qualified to be Secretary of a Gay Bath House..!.!

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vngstr
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:55pm
Well now!!! Looks like we picked a winner in Ted Cruz. He just b-slapped that man all the way across the white house and back to Chicago! America, take an example from Texas and start electing people like Ted Cruz. No nonsense, No BS, No politics… THE TRUTH!!!

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- daniel3839
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:11pm
  Did you see Ted Cruz in the Gun Hearings yesterday? He blew them away! He had charts to make his case. What I like about him is he makes damn sure that his points are BULLET PROOF and there is no way to wiggle out of the points he is making!
  
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nick e l
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:22pm
This is just amazing, from bad to worse or just worse to “worser” as the Sec Def. Way to go Ted.. forcing yes/no answers and slamming back the truth. THIS is why the GOP is dead. I would not let him take out my garbage.
Semper Fi!

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FloraBelleza
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:21pm
Democrats going to do everything to destroy him, they going to used the Hagel machines to switch votes in TX. They going to try to put him against Rubio, Paul, etc, etc. Please stay firm, all Republicans must stay strong and unite, only if we act strong and together we the people going to survive and defeat the liberal agenda. GOD Bless all those that stand up for life and the good of America.

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DougHuffman
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:21pm
Add your comments

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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:17pm
I hope the Senate sticks to making Hagel turn over all his financial records and speeches because when Hagel’s background is thoroughly checked it will be revealed how he has already been working for the interests of Islamists and reveal his link to the voting fraud of this past election:
http://www.westernjournalism.com/did-obama-steal-the-election-with-hagels-help/

A letter addressed to Sen Carl Levin (D-MI) & Sen James Inhofe (R-OK)
raised many concerns that with the nomination of Hagel. This letter was written and SIGNED by FOURTEEN Retired Admirals and Generals. To see the letter and their concerns along with all the names of the Admirals and Generals go to:
http://www.noisyroom.net/blog/2013/01/29/military-leaders-oppose-confirmation-of-sen-chulck-hagel-for-secretary-of-defense/

0′s main goal besides disarming Americans is DESTROYING THE US MILITARY.
http://www.emergingcorruption.com

Thank you Ted Cruz – You are living UP to what you were elected to do – PROTECT AND DEFEND THE US CONSTITUTION AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Finally, Someone is doing their homework.

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- daniel3839
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 7:48pm
  I wasnt aware of this. Can you believe that a SENATOR is the CEO of the nations VOTING MACHINES!?
  
  ARE YOU PHUKIN KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  HOW IN THE HELL CAN THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS SOMETHING RIGHT OUT OF A COMIC BOOK!
  
  You know easy it would be to plant a cheat in that software!? No wonder the machines were changing votes from Romney to Obama. IT WAS PROGRAMMED TO DO SO!
  
  Report this comment
FloraBelleza
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:13pm
The problem with this people is they are a band of coward, they said a lots of things and sh. without think, only to please the other side, or for those that are paying the bill, they all have a big mouth, but when they are confront, they put the tail between the legs and shake. Democrats always act like this, them said; No comment, or I’m sorry if I offend anyone was not my intention. And the MSM not confront them, or the President like they do with Republicans.

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mcivie
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:05pm
You can certainly tell who does and who does not read the bible and who does and does not believe the bible.

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KidCharlemagne
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:03pm
Ted Cruz seems to be the latest turncoat to turn his back on the wisdom of President George Washington:

———————————
“Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.”
-President George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

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FANGS
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 5:54pm
Obama wants hagle to run his american holocost against Republicans. Get ready people, Won’t be long now.

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CathyvanDyke
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 5:51pm
Maybe Cruz should also confront Marco Rubio regarding Rubio’s 2009 position regarding illegal immigration.

TED CRUZ
United States Senator for Texas

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued the following statement regarding today’s bipartisan immigration reform proposal: ….
http://www.cruz.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=339434

Marco Rubio, The Immigration Reform Savior or Fraud?
January 28, 2013

“I am strongly against amnesty. The most important thing we need to do is enforce our existing laws. We have existing immigration laws that are not being adequately enforced. Nothing will make it harder to enforce the existing laws, if you reward people who broke them.
It demoralizes people who are going through the legal process, its a very clear signal of why go through the legal process, if you can accomplish the same thing if you go through the illegal process. And number two, if demoralizes the people enforcing the laws. I am not, and I will never support any effort to grant blanket legalization/amnesty to folks who have entered, stayed in this country illegally.”

Marco Rubio, March 2009
http://shark-tank.net/2013/01/28/marco-rubio-the-immigration-reform-savior-or-fraud/

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rochrealtor
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 5:43pm
A simple, logical, and streamlined cross examination…Wow Ted Cruz, thank you for defending our Nation. Can you teach the other dummies when they do Hillery again!

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frogg
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 5:38pm
We erally have a problem with letting this President continue if people like this are allowed to run it. What are we asking for here? Are we going to allow these @$$holes surender our country. What has happened??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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getourcountryback
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 5:35pm
Obama’s twin brother from anotha motha.

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