Chuck Hagel: Quit Talking About The Surge, Focus On War's Future

OMAHA, Neb. — Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, fresh from an Iraq trip with Democrat Barack Obama, said the presidential candidates should focus on the war's future and stop arguing over the success of last year's troop surge.

Hagel mentioned both candidates, but his comments seemed directed at Republican John McCain. McCain, while Obama traveled the Middle East, attacked Obama for opposing the military escalation last year that increased security in Iraq.

"Quit talking about, 'Did the surge work or not work,' or, 'Did you vote for this or support this,'" Hagel said Thursday on a conference call with reporters.

"Get out of that. We're done with that. How are we going to project forward?" the Nebraska senator said. "What are we going to do for the next four years to protect the interest of America and our allies and restructure a new order in the world. ... That's what America needs to hear from these two candidates. And that's where I am."

Hagel, too, opposed the troop increase strategy, though he acknowledged Thursday it brought about positive changes. "When you flood the zone with superior American military firepower, and you put 30,000 of the world's best troops in a country, there's going to be a result there," Hagel said.

Whether the surge worked, though, can't be measured, Hagel said, arguing the small gains came at a high price. He said President Bush's decision last year to dispatch an additional 30,000 troops to Iraq has cost more than 1,000 American lives and billions of dollars.

Though Hagel is a Republican, his name has been floated as a potential vice presidential running mate for Obama. Like McCain, he is a Vietnam war veteran, but Hagel is a fierce critic of the war in Iraq. He has said he would consider running with Obama on the Democratic ticket but that he doesn't expect to be asked. He is not running for reelection.

Hagel joined Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island in traveling with Obama to the Middle East. Reed said the trip was productive. "It wasn't just a photo op and social chit chat," Reed said in a telephone interview.

Reed said the group pressed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to have the Iraqi government do more.

"Unless the government of Iraq can start delivering _ delivering jobs, delivering funds, performing _ then the gains that have been made will be quickly erased," Reed said. "I think that is a point that we all stressed, particularly Senator Obama, with the prime minister."

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Associated Press Writer Andrew Miga in Washington contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS that Hagel has said in the past, not Thursday, he would run.)

Comments

[SpectCon]

Obama was right not to support an increase in our troop levels. Where is the left defending him???

Terry, Katie and Brian are warmongers who want Obama to apologize for being anti-Surge. It was wrong get more involved in Iraq, regardless.

[rollingdivision]

For years progressives have been screaming "Support our troops, bring them home!" but not anymore. The presumptive nominee wants to transfer the troops from Iraq to Afghanistan and expand that war and they are fine with his expanded Afghan war. In fact he has remarked that he would send US troops into Pakistan against the wishes of the sovereign government of Pakistan and start a war there under certain conditions and that's fine with progressives too.

[Azor]

Afghanistan is NOT Iraq. Different situation and dynamics, different levels of troops needed. Afghanistan cannot be allowed to become a completely failed state.

And Obama never said he would send troops to Pakistan. He said that if he had reliable intelligence about Bin Laden AND the Pakistani government would not cooperate, he would go after him nevertheless. Very different.

[rollingdivision]

Obama is talking about expanding the war in Afghanistan, possibly going into Pakistan and leaving 60,000 US troops in Iraq and no progressive says boo. It's as quiet as a graveyard at midnight.

[Grunty1]

Of course the Republicans need to focus completely on the Surge (TM). It is the only thing that is remotely positive that has happened in Iraq over the entire occupuation.

[Teritt]

Geez...I have to agree with a Republican for a change.

[darrell198023]

Hagel for VP!!!!

[TimmySlagle]

In other words:

"Ignore the man behind the curtain!"

[bogues]

Shame on John McCain for continuing to insult our brave men and women in uniform by saying that changing the mission in Iraq is surrender. If as he claims the surge has worked and all is well in Iraq and since the Iraqi government are also saying it is time to go, then it seems to me the job is done. He calls it surrender because his only hope of being president is to once again convince the american people that the situation in Iraq is dire and only a republican has the inclination to keep us safe. What whooie that is. All americans want to be safe and we all want our country to be respected once again. That will not happen if John McCain is our president. On all of the important issues that we face, John McCain is in harmony with the failed Bush Administration. Why anyone cannot see that at this point, is beyond me.

[oscartucker]

Will someone give a website or just state outright what the stipulations of "The Surge" were? Was it just the general definition of surge--an increase(as in the number of troops)? Weren't there other elements?

[IntelligentDesign]

It's interesting to watch the trolls cringe when the light of truth and common sense shine through - it's very much like the old vampire movies where the evil one forgets what time it is and is zapped with the rays of a new day dawning.

[Ariadne]

Actually I would like to thank you for making it so obvious that hanging around here at your site and being exposed to your lovely advertising is a monumental waste of my time.

[Fotios]

Hagel for VP!

[glesslib]

The Republicans have been elected on "Gotchas" since George McGovern chose Tom Eagleton for his VP and it turned out he had been treated for mental illness. Since Ed Muskie cried because the Republicans told lies about his wife.

It's the only thing they have left this time....a prayer for a Gotcha moment. Their party has pretty much ruined this country future for the foreseeable future. If they want to win it will take a lot distraction from the miserable situation we find ourselves in. Have no fear, they are working diligently to find those distractions. And they will work with a lot of voters who fear change.....even positive change.

[moderate1]

Oh yeah, Democrats never pull the gotcha routine...

[Scribe57]

Ah yes, the classic "I'm rubber, you're glue" defense. A GOP classic.

[speeddeeps]

I can not think of one, would you please remind me?

[All57States]

These questions are too painful. You have heard our gibberish answers, now Move On.

The great and wonderful Oz behind the curtain act continues.

[piompino]

Hagel used as a tool? You have got to be kidding...Why don't you go ask Col. Powell what it feels like to be a tool? -- talking about being used by YOUR OWN PARTY! Get a brain, Senator Hagel refuses to be used by republican idiots!

[craneman]

what is this world coming to----a republican who thinks for himself. No ditto heads need apply.

[ohiomark]

Hagel is a RINO. He might as well just defect to the Democrats.

[rmreddicks]

Much right there. Has anyone heard from Powell? Has he even written an article for FA? What was wrong with that man to do that U.N. thing? (no need for hindsight, I was appalled as I watched it unfold live - or at least telelive) I'd be hiding, too.

[Azor]

Along the same line, here is what else he said

"Asked how Republican Senate colleagues reacted to his traveling with the presumed Democratic nominee, Hagel said he hadn't really discussed it with them and, "I didn't ask their permission."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/24/nebs-hagel-says-gains-in-iraq-came-at-high-cost/

[Ariadne]

Dalai Lama McCain