15 GOP Senators Sign Letter Urging Obama To Withdraw Chuck Hagel's Nomination

It's been a bumpy road for Chuck Hagel ever since President Obama nominated him to be the next defense secretary. And his critics don't appear to be letting up. On Thursday, a group of 15 senators signed a letter urging Obama to withdraw Hagel's nomination.

'While we respect Senator Hagel's honorable military service, in the interest of national security, we respectfully request that you withdraw his nomination,' the letter notes.

Senators who signed the letter are: John Cornyn (R-TX), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), David Vitter (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dan Coats (R-IN), Ron Johnson (R ' WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Tim Scott (R-SC)

It goes on to point to precedent, explaining that 'over the last half-century, no Secretary of Defense has been confirmed and taken office with more than three Senators voting against him' ' and none have been confirmed with more than 11 opposing votes.

Contrasting Hagel with outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's 'huge success,' the letter eventually looks to Hagel's confirmation hearings, during which his performance was 'deeply concerning.' The senators denounced Hagel's 'erratic record and myriad conversions on key national security issues,' adding that his 'ambivalence' on how to approach Iran is a significant concern.

Another especially vocal critic of Hagel, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) did not sign the letter.

Read it in full below:

Letter to President Obama on Hagel Nomination by