Top Links: The Chuck Hagel fight begins

Top story: Chuck Hagel is a Republican. But he’s also an Obama nominee for secretary of defense. And in the minds of most Republicans questioning Hagel today, “Obama anything” is rock to “Republican’s” scissors.

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• “Bottom line: As long as there are no surprises, Hagel is likely to make it. But it also isn’t going to be easy.” (First Read)

• That said, there are five GOP senators who could make this an increasingly uncomfortable nominating process. (The Fix)

• And a likely confirmation isn’t stopping outside spending groups from, let’s call it, “distortion of the facts.” (Fact Check)

• Here are more half-truths and no-truths about Hagel’s positions on nuclear arms and Iran. (Politifact)

• “This may have been missed by some, but Hagel has his first GOP “yes” vote: Thad Cochran, who is up in ’14, btw.” (Chuck Todd)

• Here’s a quick whip count of who’s a “yes”; who’s a “no”; and who’s a “meh .. I dunno.” (The Cable)

• So what does a Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel mean? Well, for one, fewer nuclear weapons. (Foreign Policy)

• Democrat “Sam Nunn, who doomed Tower’s chance of becoming SecDef, will be helping Hagel this time around.” (Mark Thompson)