Senator Chuck Schumer. Photo: Wikipedia.

Politico bigwig Mike Allen appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Friday to discuss Chuck Schumer’s reservations about Chuck Hagel.

“This is a surprise: Senator Schumer has been telling his allies, especially Jewish groups, that “it would be very hard” for him to support–for Chuck Schumer to support (Hagel) for Pentagon head because of his positions on Israel.”

Schumer has expressed his reservations about Hagel in the past and earlier this week issued a statement saying he was looking forward to “to fully studying his (Hagel’s) record and exploring” Hagel’s views.

If Schumer chooses to oppose the Hagel nomination it could prove a fatal blow to the latter’s hopes of being named Defense Secretary.

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, who has been quite vocal in his opposition to Hagel, said that Schumer is unlikely to be swayed by his constituency one way or the other.

“A lot of Democrats in the Jewish community support Hagel and I don’t think it will affect his standing in the Jewish community to any appreciable degree one way or the other.”

Watch a video of Mike Allen’s interview below: