Chuck Hagel, nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Defense, conceded that “there’s a lot” he doesn’t know about the Defense Department, but promised he would try to learn more if the Senate confirms him to the post.

“A number of questions were asked of me today about specific programs, submarine programs, different areas of technology and acquisitions, and our superior technology,” Hagel said during his confirmation hearing. “I’ve said I do not know enough about it. I don’t. There are a lot of things I don’t know about. If confirmed, I intend to know a lot more than I do.”

Hagel had a rough confirmation hearing. “Democratic Senators are now regularly rephrasing and restating Hagel’s comments so that those listening might understand him,” The Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes observed during his testimony.