HRC

The Human Rights Campaign says that Senator Chuck Hagel's expressed views on gay issues is "unacceptable." The LGBT rights organization is referring to Hagel's 1998 opposition to an ambassadorial nominee for being "openly aggressively gay."  

"Senator Hagel’s comments from 14 years ago are unacceptable, but what we do not know is how his views have evolved over time, as have those of most Americans," says HRC communications director Michael Cole-Schwartz in a statement. "It is critically important that the new Secretary of Defense is supportive of open service, lesbian and gay military families, and the community as a whole.  We look forward to hearing from Senator Hagel on these issues should he be nominated.  Whomever is selected to be the next Secretary of Defense needs to understand there are clear expectations for progress at DOD and that the President’s views on key issues should be reflected by the Secretary."

It is rumored that President Obama is planning to nominate Hagel to be the next secretary of defense.