Ben Nelson applauds Hagel for trip with Obama

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10383000

Published Thursday July 17, 2008
Nelson applauds Hagel for trip with Obama
BY JOSEPH MORTON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said Wednesday that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel deserves praise for traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"I think it's fortunate that there was a Republican willing to join forces with Obama in making a bipartisan" trip, Nelson said. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., also will make the trip.

"Senator Hagel is to be commended for stepping up," Nelson said.

Earlier in the week, Obama spokeswoman Amy Brundage said Obama and Hagel both understand the region's problems and the need for bipartisan solutions. "Senator Obama respects Senator Hagel's friendship and deep knowledge of foreign policy," she said.

News of the planned trip has further fueled speculation that Hagel might be considered as a running mate for the Illinois senator. Asked about the idea of Hagel being on the Democratic ticket, Nelson said it is "totally offbeat" to be talking about a vice-presidential nominee at this point.

"I think I'm going to be part of any discussion regarding any Nebraskan considered by the Obama administration or by the Obama campaign," he said. "I don't have any philosophical disagreement with that sort of thing. It's probably just pretty hard to pull off under party rules."

[Cha]

1. Good..it is a bi-partisian thing if you can get republicans

to go along with getting out of Iraq so much the sooner and better.

Just because he's going to Iraq with Obama doesn't mean he's going to be his VP.