Hagel Ponders White House Run As War Criticism Raises His Profile

[Herman Munster]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012502086.html

His Republican colleagues regard him warily. The White House barely speaks to him. He is reviled by his party's conservative base. Looks as though Sen. Chuck Hagel is on a roll. Both parties have their Iraq war contrarians. For the Democrats, it is Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, whose steadfast support for President Bush nearly cost him his seat last year and forced him to run as an independent. The Republican version is Hagel, a career maverick from Nebraska and the only GOP senator to call for an end to the war.

Hagel's sharp criticism of the war has placed him squarely in the mainstream of public opinion on Iraq and revived long-dormant speculation about his presidential ambitions. Hagel has been eclipsed by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a leading contender for his party's presidential nomination who vigorously endorsed the president's war policies. But with McCain appearing increasingly isolated on the issue as public opinion has turned overwhelmingly against the war, Hagel is acting like a politician who believes his stock is climbing. In other words, he is considering a White House run.

Hagel said in a wide-ranging interview this week that he is discussing his options with his family and other confidants and he will make a decision in the next six weeks. He said one possibility is forming a presidential exploratory committee and -- despite his outcast position within his party -- seeking the Republican nomination. Or he may seek a third Senate term. Then again, he might take a more creative path.

Hagel joked during the interview about teaming up with New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a moderate Republican, and also floated the possibility of joining a bipartisan unity ticket with a Democrat -- with his name first, of course. Hagel clearly admires Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and calls him "a star," but he doubts the two could ever team up given the vast difference in their parties' principles. "I don't know if it gets to that point, but there is a shift going on out there, and there's nothing like a war that does that," Hagel said.

[GainesT1958]

1. Since he's that unhappy with his party's stance on Iraq...

And since they're obviously that unhappy with him, he DOES have another option:

Do what Jim Jeffords did in 2001---the right thing!

B-)

[saltpoint]

2. Give me Hagel over nearly any Republican, but give me a Democrat

over Hagel.

That's not to say I didn't appreciate his emotional remarks for the SFRC this week. They were refreshing as hell, especially in contrast to the somnolent Dick Lugar.

I could see Chuck Hagel making an indy run for the White House and really heating up the debate within his own party. It also puts the pressure on Democratic primary voters to nominate a strong anti-Iraq War candidate.

Could be interesting.

[Imagevision]

5. Hagel should have no problem beating McCain & jooliani

[saltpoint]

6. Hi, Imagevision. More and more I think that's true. McCain in

particular is looking feeble and weary, like a carp who swallowed a turd in the drainage pond.

And Rudy is one crude jerk. I don't see GOP voters warming up to him, especially after his pro-choice positions are exploited by his opponents in the primaries.

[FrenchieCat]

3. My only question is, will there be any senators left in the senate?

I mean, what is that...like 10% of the senate MIA.

Geeze! :eyes:

Webb might as well jump in there too, at this point.
Feingold and Kerry and Bayh should definitely change their minds too.

None of it matters anyways...
It will all be decided soon enough!

Meanwhile the country will got to the dogs, who are the ones running the United States these days anyways.

[snowbear]

4. SooOOoooOOooo..........

If he's really pondering... is he pondering running as an Independent?

Hagel joked during the interview about teaming up with New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a moderate Republican, and also floated the possibility of joining a bipartisan unity ticket with a Democrat -- with his name first, of course. Hagel clearly admires Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and calls him "a star," but he doubts the two could ever team up given the vast difference in their parties' principles. "I don't know if it gets to that point, but there is a shift going on out there, and there's nothing like a war that does that," Hagel said.

Bloomberg (if that's who he ran with) certainly has the dough..

Huh. Say he ran as an Independent.. who would that hurt the most? The Republic Party, or the Democratic Party?

[snowbear]

7. Actually wait... the article said he'd toy with the idea of a "Unity Ticket"

Question:


Can a "Republic" candidate run with a Democratic candidate?

If he ran with a Democrat ---- I could see him selecting someone like Bayh or Warner..

--

I'm still wondering though.. if he did that, who would it hurt the most?

The Republic candidate or the Democratic candidate?

Would it hurt both parties equally?

[saltpoint]

8. Here's a scenario I'd rather not have happen:

Hagel realizes he can't get the GOP nom from the rightwing nutcases and runs as an independent with John Danforth as veep nom.

Danforth is against the rightwing fundie take-over of his party and decides to go for it to claim a new center, etc.

A medaled vet and a certified minister would make a compelling ticket.