https://pjmedia.com/barryrubin/2013/02/04/why-chuck-hagel-is-really-so-scary-hes-typical-of-the-current-rulers/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 12:17:44 -0400<![CDATA[&#8220;Joab came to the king [David] in his quarters and said, &#8216;Today you have humiliated all your followers, who this day saved your life, and the lives of your sons and daughters &#8230; by showing love for those who hate you and hate for those who love you. For you have made clear today that the officers and men mean nothing to you.'&#8221; &#8212; II Samuel, 19: 6-7 If Chuck Hagel is so much dumber than you are, why is he the one being nominated by President Barack Obama to be secretary of defense? Answer: Hagel knows how to be dumb in the right way. He&#8217;s simultaneously even dumber than you think yet also, to use an old expression, dumb like a fox. In his public self-management and especially during his confirmation hearings, Hagel handled himself in a manner that showed he is incapable of fulfilling a cabinet-level position. Here’s the primary example &#8212; Hagel said: “I support the president’s strong position on containment.” Now, the truth is that there’s nothing wrong with that. He did not say the president’s position advocating containment of Iran. Contrary to the way that many writers are portraying it, what he said wasn’t incorrect, just ambiguous. He could easily have recovered. Then, some of his handlers asked him to clarify. What did he do?]]>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:26:53 -0500<![CDATA[Barry Rubin]]>https://pjmedia.com/barry-rubin/2013/02/04/why-chuck-hagel-is-really-so-scary-hes-typical-of-the-current-rulers-n133547