If this influences the conventional wisdom, Hagel just might not be confirmed. Brit Hume notes:
It’s probably dawning on Sens. who didn’t serve w/Hagel that he’s just not very bright. Exchange w/McCain unresponsive & bumbling.
Democrats can defend lies, anti-semitism, and a worldview that undermines American security, but they have a lot of psychological chips invested in the proposition that they’re the “Smart Party.”
If word gets out just how lightweight and bumbling Chuck Hagel is — and the question gets asked, “Don’t our boys putting life and limb at risk in foreign wars deserve someone… smarter?” — that might just be a wrap on this one.
Later in the day, look for video of Lindsey Graham’s interrogation of Hagel — it was very effective, and Hagel was plainly overmatched. Moe Lane has a snippet of one exchange, or, as NBC would call it, one heckling.