Former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s selection as the next secretary of defense is drawing unusual criticism.

It comes mostly from his fellow Republicans who contend that Hagel’s foreign policy views are somehow “outside the mainstream.” I’m scratching my head over that one.

Hagel is a former Republican senator from Nebraska. He’s an Army combat veteran of the Vietnam War and if he’s confirmed he would be the first veteran of that war to lead the Pentagon. He’s eminently qualified for the task President Obama has asked him to perform.

But this criticism of past statements about, for example, Israel strikes me as odd.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is one Republican who’s stated he’ll oppose Hagel’s nomination. Interesting. The hearings haven’t even started yet but Cornyn’s made up his mind. Cornyn, a former Texas trial judge, attorney general and state Supreme Court justice ought to understand the need to hear all the facts before rendering a decision, right?

But let’s understand something about the defense secretary. He works at the pleasure of the president. Hagel has spoken in favor of direct talks with Israel’s sworn enemies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He’s also questioned U.S. sanctions against Iran. But it’s not the defense boss’s foreign policy that is being carried out. The policy belongs to the president and I’ve certain I’ve heard President Obama declare his intention to stand foursquare behind Israel.

Hagel has his Democratic critics, too. They deal with the former senator’s statements about gays in the military. He’s spoken against gay service personnel serving openly, but he’s recanted that view in the years since then.

Chuck Hagel is a dedicated patriot who has fought for his country. Let the man respond to what he calls “astounding distortions” of his record.