Hagel "Not Planning" To Endorse Either Candidate

Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican who is one of John McCain's closest friends -- but who has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Democrat Barack Obama -- is sitting out the presidential contest, according to his spokesman, Jordan Stark.

"Senator Hagel has no intention of getting involved in any of the campaigns and is not planning to endorse either candidate," Stark said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Stark issued the statement after Hagel's name came up during a conference call Tuesday in which two former Republican officeholders announced their support for Obama. Jim Leach, a former Republican congressman from Iowa, said on the call that he hoped Obama is considering Hagel for the vice presidential slot. The other "Republican for Obama" on the call was Lincoln Chafee, a former senator from Rhode Island.

Comments

[Whinger]

When you choose to sit on the fence watch out for splinters!

Weak minded wimp!

[PJay1]

Lincoln Chaffee would be a GREAT vp pick.

[hsk01945]

This man is a phony as a three dollar bill. Spineless too.

[camera-obscura]

Just like Edwards had "no plan" to endorse up until Obama lost in WV and they conveniently knocked Hillary's win out of the news cycle. :)

Not expecting that to be the case but just saying... a Hagel endorsement in Oct or so could give Obama something of a boost!

[Topfeeder]

Can't blame him for not wanting to burn bridges. It is obvious where his heart lies.

[hudsuckerproxy]

Hagel's refusal to endorse a fellow Republican is a devastating indictment (particularly since McCain and Hagel are, or were, long-time friends). Moreover, Hagel's wife is an Obama supporter:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5810701.html

[jahjah]

Hagel has already indosed Obama he went with O to iraq so we will take that

[vippy]

Well, vote out all incumbents and let us get a new crew so Obama has an easier time getting
something passed and being held up by corrupt senators and congressmen.

[jsinclair]

Good to stay neutral. Clearly he's not going to be VP (good!).

I cabinet position for a Republican who DIDN'T publicly support him in the GE will accomplish Obama's "team of rivals" goal.

I'm relieved he won't be VP.

[PAposter]

Me too, but I never believed our party would help build the resume of a Republican, and potentially put him in position to become President.

[ascottcard]

On Late Edition Sunday July 20, Condoleezza Rice refused to tell Wolf Blitzer who she was voting for after telling him she had decided who she was supporting...

[Bagger]

Hagel for VP!

[jeffp26]

Right on. The perfect anti-war crossover for Obama.

[JohnFromCensornati]

LOL.
0bama was against the war from the start, so we should pick him over HilRod.
Hagel voted for it repeatedly, so he should be VP.
We're never getting out of BushWorld.

[PAposter]

Clark/Biden/Webb/Richardson will handle the military expertise and Foreign Affairs issues for the Democrats, we don't need a Republican.

[DoTheMath]

Since Hagel is a prominent Republican, his public announcement NOT to endorse his party's candidate for President amounts to an endorsement of the opposition. Who can name some other prominent Republicans, including current and former members of the Bush administration, who have not endorsed McCain?

[MissLouise]

Well, I think his NOT endorsing McCain, and accompanying Obama on his trip overseas, is a tacit endorsement of Obama. We'll take it.

[DaOne]

Indeed

[reliant1]

he's endorsed o privately.

he'll get a cabinet post - sec def probably - and needs to remain publically neutral.

[teron678]

LOL .. co-sign

[ccmd]

So dead on. We'll take it.