In a private meeting Monday—not just any old private meeting, but a 90 minutes long private meeting!—New York senator Chuck Schumer was reassured by secretary of defense nominee Chuck Hagel that he didn’t mean the many things he’s said over the years and didn’t stand by the many votes he’s cast over the years. And while Schumer graciously allowed that “the Senate confirmation process must be allowed to run its course,” he hopes “that Senator Hagel’s thorough explanations will remove any lingering controversy regarding his nomination.”

He’s got to be kidding.