Hagel Joins Obama on Trip

A well-placed source close to the State Department confirms that Sen. Chuck Hagel will indeed definitely be joining Barack Obama on his trip later this month to Europe and the Middle East. This is a blow to John McCain's candidacy. Just as the neocons peeled off from the Democratic party in the 1970s, so some realists such as Hagel now seem to be moving away from the GOP. Hagel, who fought on the ground in Vietnam, has taken away different lessons about the conflict and is a vocal critic of the Iraq War. This will further strain relations between Hagel and McCain. Hagel's presence will further shore up Obama's foreign policy bona fides.

Comments

[alexa07]

Sen. Chuck Hagel has been one of the very, very few independent voices of reason in what discussion is allowed in our Congress about American foreign policy in the Middle East. A very sad state of affairs in that most of our other duly-elected reps. (Pelosi & Co.) fall all over themselves to see who can propose the most concessions to the pro-Israel lobby & their American friends. Every concession made is at great cost to the American taxpayer, taking away much-needed dollars from every sector of our economy & infrastructure as well as causing more than 60 yrs. of messes in Palestine & Lebanon; the unnecessary war in Iraq & quite possibly, yet another messy & ill-advised war (Iran), against yet another Muslim country that is challenging NOT the USA, but Israel! We need Chuck Hagel in govt, & are you listening, Sen. Obama??

[AmericaUSA08]

Obama-Kerry '08
or
Obama-Clinton '08
....but, NO Obama-Hagel 08'

As a former republican (switched recently...even voted republican this primary), Hagel is a good, respected republican, but I'm actually looking forward to placing a straight democratic ticket vote this November.

I will be therapeutic, I believe, for many of us who have decided cross over.

[mamacat]

Thank you Sen. Hagel for being a voice of reason in a sea of partisanship.
At this point I will vote for Obama whoever he chooses for veep.

[Zeje]

I'm for Hagel!

[Nyland8]

As much as I respect him, as admirable a person as Chuck Hagel is ( he doesn't speak with a bifurcated tongue ) and as valuable an ally as he might be in ending our catastrophically failed adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, I do hope he is not being considered for the VP spot.

While his inclusion on the ticket might unite the parties, and while it is sure to be an even more fatal blow to McMadman, his voting record of being anti-choice is long and hard. The last thing we need in the number two spot is someone who diverges on this issue so dramatically.

If the anti-choice fanatics are willing to bomb Planned Parenthood clinics just to divest women of control of their own bodies, then what else might they be willing to do to see their radical agenda realized?

As much as the neo-conmen might despise you, and as much as sane, peace loving people the world over might love you Chuck, you'll have to serve in some capacity other than VP.

8

[Purobi]

With you 100%.

[transendentilist]

Name the last VP that has ever overturned a Supreme Court ruling??? It's not in his power to even try. The righties have had 7+ years, nearly two full terms, with a majority in all three branches of government. If they were so hot on overturning RvW, they would have done so by now.

Abortion is a WEDGE issue and a distraction from the real issues. Come on man, I can't believe I even had to type that.

[Nyland8]

Well - we don't disagree. Abortion IS a wedge issue. And it IS true that Republicans never do away with what they tell you to fear, because that would mean surrendering control over you. I've said on these posts many times that if abortion were actually done away with, the Republicans wouldn't see the inside of the White House again for 30 years.

But that all begs the issue. We're talking about unstable people. Did you read what I actually wrote? If Hagel is VP, Obama becomes a target for these nuts. That's the point. Destroying clinics never got them what they wanted either, but that didn't keep them from doing it. Doctors are dead because of them.

Chuck will have to find another way to help this country become un-neo-conned. I don't think the VP spot will be offered.

8

[MARSHA1961]

I'll say it again..

OBAMA-HAGEL '08

[Luke2John]

I second that!!! (wait, I've said it before too. So that must be I'll quintuple that)

[faith]

Neither Obama, nor Hagel, nor other politicians have any business going to Iraq at this point. It is a quagmire, and all they do is put the troops as increased risk of injury.

[broadsword]

Oh, I'm thinking the Republicans are cynical enough to nominate a hack like Lieberman, and call that a 'unity' ticket.

I like Hagel, I've followed his career for years, with interest. Socially Conservative, yeah he is. But, he's a decent man, definitely not an ideologue....you only have to listen to him for ten minutes to get that.

[Collielady]

Hey, Chuck, when are you coming over to the good side?

[johnie2xs]

If Hagel taking #2 on the ticket is seen as a move toward unity, just imagine what it would say by him switching parties. I think this would make it easier for Republicans who truly do love this country, and are truly despondent about the actions of their party these last eight years, an opportunity to show their mettle. They can cowboy up, as they say, and do the right thing.

[bryan0218]

Excuse my confusion, but many of you posted very angry attacks on Obama for taking a moderate or "Republican" position on FISA, but you back a moderate Republican for VP. If anything were to happen to Obama, after he is elected, then we are back to a Republican President. I am scratching my head here.

The real story here is Jack Reed, he has the military credentials, West Point Grad, and he voted against giving Bush authority to go to war, and he is a left of center Democrat. The Only Negative is the Gov of N.H. , where he is senator, is a Repub.

[Azor]

Rhode Island, not New Hampshire

[NotMcCain]

I don't want the possibility of another Republican president. (Plus, you know how crazy some people are).

But I would -still- rather have Hagel than Nunn.

"Moderate Republican" > "Blue-dog Democrat"

[Mojane]

Interesting that so many comments here are arguing the merits of Hagel as a running mate for Obama when there is absolutely no mention of that possiblity in this article. Why not stick the point, people....it's simply about Hagel joining him on a trip to Iraq. On that point, the implications are clear, as stated in the article. Period.

[JJeff88]

Will the media make too much of this? Or not?

It's a Congressional trip/not technically a campaign trip; which is why there had to be bipartisan representation (Hagel and Reed).

Reed is a West Point grad strongly grounded in military expertise. Hagel is an ant-Iraq-war Republican with solid military and foreign policy street creds.

Will both be auditioning for Veep?

Even if they're not, they offer Sen. Obama a couple of experienced minds who won't pull punches and who can help him better gauge the context and meaning of what he is seeing with his own eyes and what the military people are telling him.

[transendentilist]

I do like the idea of a two party ticket. It would go a long way toward healing the bitterness and resentment, between parties. Some will remain, but alot would improve relation-wise, between the Senate and the House. I would like to add...........NO MORE NEO-CONSERVATIVES anywhere near the white house. Hagel seems like a good man. Better him than most republicans I can think of. But we really need to rid our nation of the neo-con infestation. The PNAC crowd needs to move to the middle east. They would feel much more at home, I'm sure.

[Trogenhorse]

Hagel is my US senator. Here in this great red state the views are mixed. Those ultra and solid conservatives do not like him. They find him too moderate and would never vote him senator again ( of course most think G. W is the greatest thing since sliced bread).
Some dems are looking at his moves and wondering- I have been blogging about him over 1 year. He has been moving to the middle and certainly showing signs of supporting Senator Obama. Most telling was earlier this year when asked who he supported he said "I don't know".

In our state his answer should have been automatic. That told me all I needed to hear to know who he's supporting. His accompanying Obama to Iraq is a DIRECT hit against McCain.

Remember the GI bill which first passed was sponsered by Webb-Hagel.
Also, 2-3 years ago he tried to get our state to sign onto a much more liberal immigration bill. He did that in a state who can't imagine not closing the borders.- Very unpopular.

He has always spoken out against the war and opposed it based on the absence of an exit strategy.

[lobear00]

Trogenhorse, you can be proud! your Senator has a "backbone, more so than the majority of "Pink Puffy Democrats. Its sad to see most "Males on the democratic side in the Congress are nothing but "Useless Whimps.

[NotMcCain]

After reading your post, I like him even more.

Actually, it takes some guts to go with Obama to Iraq. That hits McSame where it hurts and even hurts Hagel in his own party (where I'm sure he's had pressure to not do it).

Interesting guy. I hope he's in the cabinet, but...Clark's still my pick for VP (I just wish Obama & Co. would show some commitment to him. He deserves to be front and center on a variety of issues -- not to be sidelined like this).

[DSully]

Ultra-conservatives are a dying breed.