Hagel (2 term R-Ne) to announce political plans Monday

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=2343416

Published Wednesday | March 7, 2007
Hagel to announce political plans Monday
BY JAKE THOMPSON AND ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITERS

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Hagel, who's long been considering whether to run for the White House, will announce his political plans at a press conference on Monday in Omaha.

The two-term Republican, an outspoken critic of President Bush's handling of the Iraq war, has a number of options. He could:

• launch a presidential campaign;

• file paperwork for an exploratory presidential committee;

• set up the exploratory committee without making a full commitment to a 2008 presidential bid;

• take a step toward the race but delay a formal decision until later;

• decide not to run.

He also might discuss whether he will seek re-election to a third six-year term in the Senate next year.


Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel

Hagel's decision has been much anticipated for months and could trigger moves by other politicians.

FULL story at link.

[BayCityProgressive]

1. I don't think

he would make it through the primary. the wingnuts still support the war.

[Alexander]

2. By this time next year

No one will support the war.

[mth44sc]

13. He is a problem in another way - perhaps

he might just opt to be that 3rd party candidate for the group (whose name escapes me at the moment) seeking some sort of sacread middle ground.

Hagel becomes a problem in that he is really a total conservative on all issues but for the war.

So if folks are inclind to support his war stand they are purchasing a total package they might not want so much...

[DURHAM D]

3. He is by far the Repug I fear the most. n/t

[Parche]

4. Hagel

Exactly, he would be the hardest Republican to beat.................what they have now

Gigli ani, Brownbutt, Mutt Romnoid, and Mcslain are all nifnods

[DURHAM D]

8. I am agnostic but over the next few days I will light some candles -

hoping that Hagel runs as an Independent.

[JoFerret]

17. And an expert on election theft

.

[skipos]

19. Why would he be hard to beat? Just because he is against the war?

The fact that warmongers like Giuliani, Mitt and Romney lead the pack would indicate that Repubs aren't looking for a dove candidate. The fact that HRC leads the Dems polls would indicate that even plenty of Dems aren't looking for a dove candidate.

Plus, Hagel thinks Ben Nelson is way to librul. He has little moderate appeal.

[phillysuse]

5. Let's Face It - Hillary, Obama and Edwards

can't beat Hagel!
He is more openly against the War in Iraq than Hillary and has the foreign policy and veterans experience that Obama and Edwards and Hillary lack.

The only candidates who could beat Hagel are Al Gore, Wes Clark or maybe Richardson.

And he is connected to the machines that count the votes.

Let's hope he can't make it through the Republican primary season.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Ruh Roh...

[flaminbats]

12. why couldn't Edwards or Obama beat Hagel?

I can see why 2008 might be an uphill fight for Hillary, but not enough to assume she would be defeated by Hagel.

"He is more openly against the War in Iraq than Hillary and has the foreign policy and veterans experience that Obama and Edwards and Hillary lack."

what foreign policy experience does Hagel have that Hillary, Obama, and Edwards do not? Sorry..but I think the defeat of great vets like Max Cleland proves that veteran's experience means very little in today's political climate.

[yurbud]

7. I'd add an option: change parties.

that's the only way he could win if he ran.

[Omaha Steve]

9. We don't want him in our party

He was one of 28 Senators that voted to REPEAL the minimum wage. He also votes the most with W! Get my drift?

I do know an unknown Democrat that wants to run against him for his Senate seat. He is a true working class type. More on that soon.

[yurbud]

20. Ididn't say I want him, only that it would up his chances. If anything, there's some Dems I'd like

to give the GOP.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. The Republican's Biden!

:rofl:

[TwilightGardener]

11. Biden? I can see the Lieberman comparison,

but Biden? Not gettin' it...

[NNguyenMD]

14. I disagree, his national name recognition doesn't compare with the current frontrunners

Maybe amongst regular followers of political news he's competitive for votes, but its still a steep hill for him to climb when it comes to folks who live outside the midwest.

Guiliani would still toast him in NY and CA primaries, he's just much better known and the moderate Republicans are more likely to flock to him than someone they may admire, but not know so well.

I agree however that in the remote chance he makes it to the general election he is a formidable candidate.

[TwilightGardener]

15. Well, I live in Nebraska, but

my folks and in-laws live in Pennsylvania, they are mostly Dems, they're informed but not political junkies, and they know who he is. And unfortunately, they admire him.

[frogmarch]

16. As another poster said,

Hagel is a republican in every way but his stance on the war. This is so true!

I hope he doesn't run for president, period, whether it's as an indy, a repub, or a whatever.

As a Nebraskan I can't stand him, and because his name is in the national news a lot lately regarding his strong opposition to the war, making him recognizable to many, he could turn out to be a real threat to the Democratic presidential candidate.

[TwilightGardener]

18. Agreed--although

unlike you, I like and respect Chuck--I think he's a decent man. I plan to vote Dem, but I don't think his winning (should it come to that) would be nearly as bad as any of the other monkeyshits they've got on the GOPer side.

[lebkuchen]

21. As in, leading the march of Repubs to Cheney's house

to tell him to "hit the road?"