The Senate’s “advice and consent” role doesn’t require it to rubber-stamp a presidential appointee for secretary of defense who senators believe would weaken America in this increasingly dangerous world.

Notwithstanding former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s diminished view of the post — “I won’t be in a policymaking position” — the secretary of defense is an exceedingly important position and must be filled with someone who understands the complexity and gravity of the threats we face.