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Politics: Congress

White House expects Senate confirmation of Hagel

February 1, 2013 | 1:16 pm
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Photo - Sen. Lindsey Graham, D-S.C., holds a copy of a congressional letter urging the European Union to blacklist Hezbollah as he questions former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's choice for defense secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Hagel's nomination. Hagel refused to sign the 2006 letter when he was a Senator urging the European Union to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, D-S.C., holds a copy of a congressional letter urging the European Union to blacklist Hezbollah as he questions former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's choice for defense secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Hagel's nomination. Hagel refused to sign the 2006 letter when he was a Senator urging the European Union to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says it expects the Senate to confirm Chuck Hagel to be the next defense secretary despite his struggles at a contentious confirmation hearing.

White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Friday that President Barack Obama thinks Hagel will be an excellent Pentagon chief.

He dismissed criticism of Hagel's less-than-stellar performance over nearly eight hours of testimony under withering attacks from fellow Republicans.

Democrats hold the majority in the Senate and no Democrats has expressed opposition to Hagel.

Republican foes grew on Friday as Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said he would oppose the nomination. Blunt is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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