One political commentator called it a “smackdown.” Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel took some rough treatment from former colleagues in the Senate during a confirmation hearing Thursday.

Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt each took a turn questioning Hagel, as shown in these two videos.

 

The former Nebraska senator was also grilled by Arizona Republican John McCain over Iraq. McCain challenged Republican Hagel’s opposition to the U.S. troop surge during the prior Bush administration. After refusing to answer a yes-or-no question, Hagel called it complicated and said history will judge whether he was right or wrong in opposing the surge. McCain said history has already judged the surge and argued that Hagel was on the wrong side of it.

South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham ripped Hagel for once criticizing a powerful “Jewish lobby” in the U.S. Hagel said he regretted making that statement. He argued that he has always been a strong supporter of Israel. In opening remarks, Hagel defended his record and past statements. He said, “No one individual vote, quote or statement defines me, my beliefs or my record.” On the possibility of diplomatic engagement with Iran, he argued that “engagement is not appeasement; engagement is not surrender.” With regard to Tehran’s nuclear threat, Hagel insisted that all options must remain “on the table,” including possible military intervention.

Hagel stressed that the U.S. must continue to engage and not retreat from a dangerous and unpredictable world. He said America’s security must be the top priority of the nation’s leaders and must never be held hostage by partisan politics. If confirmed by the Senate, Hagel would become the first former enlisted man and the first Vietnam War veteran to serve as defense chief.

President Obama nominated Hagel to replace retiring Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Hagel pledged full support for gays and lesbians in the military and women in combat. He said he supports the President’s plan to transition out of Afghanistan by the end of next year. Hagel voiced support for the administration’s policies on curbing terrorism. He warned about the growing threats of cyber-warfare and maritime piracy and said he is committed to modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Hagel also pledged to engage in smart and efficient budgeting at the Pentagon.