Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Sunday that former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Obama's likely pick for secretary of defense, would be a problematic choice, particularly regarding to his positions on Israel and Iran.

"He has long severed his ties with the Republican Party," Graham said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "This is an 'in your face' nomination by the president to all of us who are supportive of Israel.'

"It looks like the second term of Barack Obama is going to be an 'in your face' term," Graham added.

"Quite frankly, Chuck Hagel is out of the mainstream of thinking I believe on most issues regarding foreign policy," he said.