Thus Spake “Conservative” “Old Right” Hagel

Not only do we have a moral responsibility, but we have a larger responsibility here, Jim, in our obligations to NATO, our commitment to those people. And I think the president is right on this one. We can’t defer this tough decision any more, because if we do, it will get worse. There’s butchery going on in the backyard of NATO — my goodness, if NATO can’t deal with it there, a few hundred miles away from NATO headquarters. So any measurement of the responsibilities that we have as a people, it’s very clear to me that we have to get in and deal with this along with our 18 NATO allies. And I think we can and I think we should. ~Sen. Chuck Hagel

That icon of the “appeasers” then went on to say about the bombing of Yugoslavia, using words that probably will be thrown back in his face today:

At the same time, we have to be careful we don’t squander some precious time here and give Milosevic the wrong message that we may be divided. We are in this to win. That debate is over, as far as are we committed or not. We’re committed. As Senator Hutchinson said, we crossed that line, and we have elevated expectations. We can’t lose this. This is not only the credibility of the United States and NATO, but as we move into this next century, other Milosevics, people in Iraq, in North Korea, in other places are watching this very intently to see what the will is of the United States and NATO.

Can someone remind me again why antiwar conservatives should like Chuck Hagel?