Hagel's replacement could face rough confirmation: Whoever accepts the nomination to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel should not expect a warm welcome on Capitol Hill.
Republicans will take over the Senate in January, and likely will use a confirmation hearing of the new Pentagon leader as one of their first opportunities to pick apart the White House's foreign policy and defense spending plans. Although scuttling the pick is unlikely, uncomfortable accusations about President Obama's defense priorities are a given.
On Monday, just after Hagel's resignation was made public, Republicans offered praise for the former GOP senator from Nebraska and poured contempt on Obama's policies.
