Chuck Hagel criticized as buzz over Defense Secretary nomination builds

Our second story OutFront – dead on arrival?

Former Republican senator and Vietnam war veteran Chuck Hagel could be President Obama's choice for the next defense secretary, but like Susan Rice, he has faced waves of criticism from various groups that could derail his nomination before it's even official.

Today, he's under attack by the Log Cabin Republicans, who took out a full page ad in the New York Times today highlighting a statement he made in 1998 when he questioned, in his words, whether an "openly, aggressively gay" man could be an effective U.S. ambassador.

Hagel has since apologized, but the timing is interesting as it comes after other members of Congress raised questions about his controversial statements on Israel, Iraq, and Iran.

Are these attacks justified or is he just a political target? OutFront tonight are CNN Contributors Reihan Salam and Roland Martin, along with Republican strategist Ana Navarro.