(CNN) -- "The political reality is ... that the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here." -- Senator Chuck Hagel, 2006 As a result of those words and his voting record, former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination has turned a decades-long, bipartisan confirmation process for secretary of defense into an acrimonious one. While some leading figures such as the Anti-Defamation League's Abe Foxman and the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Rabbi Abraham Cooper say Hagel's words are borderline anti-Semitism, I'm less worried about anti-Semitism and more worried about the judgment of a potential defense secretary who thinks Israel has won support because of "intimidation," not merit.
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In 2006, Hagel said 'the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here'
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Ari Fleischer: The support for Israel isn't because of 'intimidation,' but merit
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Polls show most Americans view Israel favorably, but don't support Iran or Palestinians
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Fleischer: Israel is a steady friend of the U.S. and a tolerant democracy
Contrary to Hagel's logic, Israel doesn't enjoy widespread @placeholder support because anyone -- from any faith -- intimidated someone else; Israel earned the support of the American people because of its people's values.