National Security Nominees Won't Impress Congress, Experts Say

Conservative experts think the military and intelligence experience of nominees will mean nothing once hearings begin

January 23, 2012 RSS Feed Print

President Barack Obama speaks during a new conference in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, in Washington, to announce his nomination of former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, center, as the new Defense Secretary as Current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, stands left.

President Barack Obama announces his nomination of former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, center, as the new Defense Secretary on Jan. 7.

Kerry will be hampered by the ghost of Clinton's relative conviviality, she adds.

"Compared to John Kerry, I think we will look back on the Hillary Clinton era as kind of warm and fuzzy," says Dale, adding Kerry's demeanor is stiff and he doesn't reach out easily. "He has a legacy there he has to live up to. And he has some things to work on as a diplomat and ambassador."

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