Hagel : Critics targeted John Avlon since he was nominated for secretary of defense . Since his nomination , Hagel has been diligently working the corridors of Congress , trying to address concerns directly . Avlon : Hagel wrongly called anti-gay , Iraq , but it 's really about opposing anti-Israel war . Hagel is a mainstream conservative and Iraq vet , wary of calls to war , he says . Avlon : Unfounded attacks show `` you 're with us or against us '' neoconservative view .
Hagel : Critics targeted John Avlon since he was nominated for secretary of defense . Avlon : Hagel wrongly called anti-gay , Iraq , but it 's really about opposing anti-Israel war . Hagel is a mainstream conservative and Iraq vet , wary of calls to war , he says . Avlon : Unfounded attacks show `` you 're with us or against us '' neoconservative view .