at the same time, pete hesgeth was confirmed as the new defence secretary. was that ever in doubt?tary. was that ever in doubt? , , doubt? yes, it was. up until the last few _ doubt? yes, it was. up until the last few minutes - doubt? yes, it was. up until the last few minutes there l doubt? yes, it was. up until. the last few minutes there was a potentialfor another a potential for another republican who a potentialfor another republican who might have decided to vote against him. that would have dipped the veil —— tipped the balance had made impossible by a single vote for him to get through. it was a very close shave and a sign of arnie's amongst some republicans about his nomination. a lot of democrats focused on his private life, his alleged drinking problems, his alleged drinking problems, his alleged drinking problems, his alleged problems with women in particular. a lot of republicans are more focused on whether he was competent or not for the job and whether he was competent or not for thejob and suddenly whether he was competent or not for the job and suddenly the three t