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President Barack Obama is expected to name Chuck Hagel as his choice for defense secretary as early as Monday, as critics of the former Nebraska senator prepare to go to war to fight his expected nomination.

White House officials and sources close to Hagel declined to confirm to The Cable that Hagel is the president's choice to be the replace Leon Panetta at the helm of the Pentagon, but several sources close to the process said have told The Cable that the White House and Hagel have been in touch on a regular basis and that Hagel is indeed the expected pick. Decisions about the timing and logistics of the announcement are being finalized now.

The Cable had previously confirmed that Hagel successfully complete the vetting process, as have Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy.

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My Comment: When I first heard Chuck Hagel's name being passed around as a possible SecDef choice .... I said that he was perfect for the job that President Obama wants him to do in the Pentagon. More reasons here on why I believed that he was President Obama's choice. But what ended up hurting his chances were his 'anti-gay' remarks from a few years back .... and even though his apologies were accepted by President Obama .... much of the Democrat left were not forgiving.

But .... Josh Rogin has excellent contacts in the Pentagon and in the administration. If he feels this confident that Chuck Hagel will be selected .... he is probably right. If he is nominated, it will be because of his close friendship with President Obama .... they have known each other for years .... and President Obama has now decided that he will support his friend and political ally to do the necessary lobbying and spending of political capital to have him confirmed.

Update: Eli Lake is saying the same thing.