Hagel To Play Perot In 2008?
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Elections, General PoliticsAccording to AnkleBitingPundits, that could be the case.
Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel is privately meeting with his top advisors and political contributors to discuss the prospects of an independent bid for the White House in 2008, a high level GOP source told me this morning.According to the source, Hagel has already begun to posture himself as an independent, believing that by doing so he can tap into the perceived growing frustration voters feel toward both major political parties. Recent polls show widespread voter dissatisfaction with leaders of both the Republican and Democrat parties in Washington.
At issue is the concern among Hagel higher-ups that the Nebraska Senator will not be able to outshine Sen. John McCain in a GOP primary. Hagel and McCain are reported to be close friends and share a similar profile: both are Vietnam veterans and both enjoy reputations as “mavericks� in the Senate.
But McCain is an 800 lb gorilla; Hagel a mischievous lemur, at best.
Sure, a “lemur” in 2005, but what about 2008? All I have to say is he better start sooner rather than later.
Frankly, I don’t think Hagel has a chance, and this could actually help the Dem candidate in 2008. I’m sure McCain wouldn’t be too happy about this since he seems to be the leading contender.
Anyway, I’m taking a wait and see attitude on this one.
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August 27th, 2005 at 6:00 pm
Perhaps Hagel is realizing that the portion of the Republican party that will do its best to destroy McCain so that Frist, Brownback or Allen can grab the nomination is stronger than some believe. He knows that he can’t out-do McCain, so he’s jumping the Republican party battle all together so he can run a respectable independent campaign between one of the crazies from the religious right and whoever the Dems toss to the front. If that’s the situation, Hagel could do quite well. He’s only in trouble if McCain can hold off the push polls in South Carolina…
August 28th, 2005 at 1:02 pm
They did it back in 2000. Why not this time too?
Hagel would never have to appeal to the fringe to get the nomination and then try to move to the center. I think an independent bid would actually be the best thing for McCain than anybody else, so Hagel’s move is smart.
August 28th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
McCain is the lead contender according to…?
August 28th, 2005 at 11:21 pm
Actually, I said McCain is a “leading” contender. According to a few polls, like this one, he and Guiliani are pretty close to the top spot.
February 20th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
I doubt that Senator Hagel will run as an independent, but I think that he is one that can run as a Republican and capture moderate and swing voters. It will be problematic for him if Senator McCain runs, though.