Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), who will likely seek the Republican nomination in 2008, commented on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his handling of the war in Iraq during a conference call with reporters. Right on, Chuck.

The concern I’ve had is, at a very dangerous time, (the) secretary of defense does not command the respect and confidence of our men and women in uniform.

There is a real question about his capacity to lead at this critical time.

I have had many conversations with military leaders about their concern about what’s happening at the Pentagon and with our force structure.