Hi clo,
Didn't watch the whole thing, so my views are derivative. But unpleasant as it was, itappeared to me that Hagel was rather exposed.
He didn't come across as someone who had really thought through the positions he has taken.
In terms of his background, he blew with the popular breeze on Iraq. He was for it when nearly everyone was for it. He was against it when nearly everyone was against it.
David Frum who is one of the remaining thoughtful Republicans reviewed some of the stuff he teaches in his college class. It was lightweight.
Far as I can see he is not a strong candidate.
As for the senate, it was an unpleasant spectacle. But while being unpleasant, I think the senators may have revealed the candidate's lack of depth. And that is not a bad result. You want to know this stuff ahead of time.
Of course, John McCain is himself not a deep man. Does anyone not know what decision he would take between peace and any war? And his tactic was probably borne of an intense wish to promote US power in an equally nasty manner.
As regards sexual assault - it is on the list. But without diminishing the issue of common individual harms, the priority must be actual defense. He should probably hire a lieutenant who will manage behaviour.
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