(Image source: W ikimedia Commons ) BY NICHOLE CARTMELL ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY Pundits predicted fireworks as Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel would take the stand before the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday. And fireworks they got as Sen. John McCain began questioning Hagel’s stance on the Iraq War troop surge. McCain: “The committee deserves your judgment as to whether you were right or wrong about the surge.” Hagel: “I’ll explain why I made those comments.” McCain: “I want to know if you were right or wrong. That’s a direct question, I expect a direct answer.” Why the opposition? They don’t think he was tough enough on Iran during his two terms as a GOP senator from Nebraska, and warn he might not push for a U.S. attack on Iran if one is needed. For example, Oklahoma Sen. Republican James Inhofe opened the hearing in protest, saying... “We are just too philosophically opposed on the pressing issues facing our country for me to support his nomination,” Inhofe said. “His record demonstrates what I view as a lack of sound judgment and steadfast support for policies that diminish U.S. power and influence.” Despite these claims, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill claimed earlier it's only the extreme groups that have come out so strongly against his nomination. And she’s willing to take his selection into consideration, urging others to put his record into context. “He’s got a lot to offer our country. I want to hear his testimony... I am certainly reassured that he understands the importance of our alliance with israel and i hope that most of the senate gives him a fair chance.” And in an interview with CBS , The Washington Post’s Bob Woodward points to the similarities between President Obama and Mr. Hagel. “ … there is a like-mindedness between Obama and Hagel about where the military should go, when it should be used... I think the mind meld between the president and Hagel is the key factor here.” The New York Times reports even though Hagel’s opposition might be high, White House officials remain confident about his prospects.