Vice President Joe Biden defended Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel in a recent interview with CNN published Wednesday, as the former Senator prepares to confront Republican critics in a confirmation hearing today.
In the interview, Biden slammed suggestions that the nominations of Hagel and recently confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry meant that the Obama administration would adopt a less assertive foreign policy strategy.
"Where have they been for four years?" Biden told CNN's Gloria Borger of Obama's Republican critics.
"The real President Obama has exercised force responsibly as boldly and as bravely as any president in American history. This is the guy who's not backed away. And he's also ended wars that almost every military man out there will tell you we should not be engaged in again."
Hagel has faced mounting criticism from Republicans all the way back to when his nomination was only rumored. Recently, conservative groups have popped up to run ads aimed at Senators up for re-election in 2014 to oppose his nomination. Hagel has been amid controversy for everything from his stances on Israel and Iran to an anti-gay past.
Hagel's confirmation hearing will begin at 9:30 this morning.
Watch the clip of Biden's interview below: