Distraught by his poor performance in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, liberals viciously turned on secretary of defense nominee Chuck Hagel on social media.

hagel's making biden look rhetorically sure-footed — Peter Beinart (@PeterBeinart) January 31, 2013

this hearing is beginning to remind me of the 1st Obama-Romney debate — Peter Beinart (@PeterBeinart) January 31, 2013

Certainly seems like it on twitter RT @buzzfeedandrew This Hagel hearing is a disaster. — AdamSerwer (@AdamSerwer) January 31, 2013

I think Hagel is engaged now in Jewsplaining. — Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) January 31, 2013

Hagel has written chapters on Iraq and on the Middle East. So we're cool. — Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) January 31, 2013

Did Hagel just call Iran's government "elected and legitimate"? — Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) January 31, 2013

Hagel is floundering through one policy answer after another. IRGC terrorism, Iraq surge, nukes. — attackerman (@attackerman) January 31, 2013

"I support the president's strong position on containment. I think that's right." Um, you meant prevention, right #Hagel? — attackerman (@attackerman) January 31, 2013

#Hagel just stumbled over whether Iran govt is "legitimate" or "elected." Fodder for oppo — Ron Kampeas (@kampeas) January 31, 2013

Yikes, now he said he "supports the president's position on containment." #Hagel — Ron Kampeas (@kampeas) January 31, 2013

Watching Hagel stumbling at Senate hearing. Recalling Brennan gaffes after Abbottabad. DoD and CIA not in best of hands, alas. — Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) January 31, 2013

Basically, Hagel does not seem very sharp. — Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) January 31, 2013

Hagel not particularly swift on his feet. Missed opportunity to push back vs. McCain. "Senator, you want another war in the Middle East?" — Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) January 31, 2013

Hagel is a little awkward here — Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) January 31, 2013

Sen. Hagel's confirmation hearing performance was brilliant. #slatepitches — Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) January 31, 2013