Cruz’ suggestion for Secretary of Defense: Joe Lieberman

Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, responding to the resignation Monday of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, held out former Sen. Joe Lieberman as a possible successor.

Cruz, one of President Obama’s harshest Republican critics, praised the Lieberman’s “unshakable commitment to the security of the United States.”

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, shown with President Barack Obama (AP).

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, shown with President Barack Obama (AP).

It was an unusual endorsement from a member of the opposition party – following Lieberman’s unusual trajectory through national politics. Lieberman, of Connecticut, was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2000. After being defeated as an incumbent in a 2006 Democratic Senate primary, he retained his seat by running as an independent in the general election. He went on to support Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate, for president in 2008.

Cruz described Hagel’s resignation as a reflection of “the ongoing damage caused by President Obama’s misguided foreign policy of leading from behind.”

In response to Obama’s executive action on immigration last week, Cruz also has called on the Senate’s Republican leadership to halt confirmation of all the president’s executive and judicial nominations – with the exception of national security positions such as Secretary of Defense.

Categories: General
Kevin Diaz | Washington Correspondent