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Both the Hagel and Brennan nominations, unless there are new bombshells, will probably go through. But they both are disturbing for similar reasons.

So much has been written about the Hagel nomination that little more need be said other than a note concerning the president’s intentions. There are scores of old-guard Washington hands who could have served as well as or better than Hagel (who, let it be noted, had a heroic wartime military record, an impressive business career, and clear proof of executive expertise) without an iota of controversy.