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.

[Herman Munster]

1. he also talks about running as a third party

and teaming up with Barack Obama on a unity ticket.

....

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.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. "As"? Try "then". nt

[Telly Savalas]

4. The guy has been a pretty vocal opponent of Bush's Iraq policy

for quite some time, so it's not real honest to question his sincerity on that matter.

It is worth remembering though that Iraq is about the only policy front on which this guy has a reasonable opinion. He's as ultraconservative as they come.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. Being rebellous is good for his image....

[mnhtnbb]

5. I have predicted this is the Repub to watch out for.