Comments on: Chuck Hagel: The “John McCain” of 2008? http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:53:41 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: michael edelman http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-204128 michael edelman Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:13:32 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-204128 In light of the recent support given to the president's surge policy it appears that both McCain and Giuliani have fallen behind Hillary in national polling...and that is a pretty clear sign that a majority of voters want a change in US policy in Iraq..not a continuation of the present policy, not a surge, not an escalation, and not a president who has defied his generals, his former chief of national security, the baker report, and the congress..If the Republican Party nominates a pro-war, hawk they will not win...so chuck hagel may be the only alternative if the republicans want to hold the executive branch. Remember those voters that will determine this next presidential election are not the base of either party but the moderates in both parties and most importantly the Independent or non-party affiated voters and they will not countinence a pro-escalation president going forward Michael Edelman is a Republican political commentator based in Westchester County New York see MichaelEdelman.com In light of the recent support given to the president’s surge policy
it appears that both McCain and Giuliani have fallen behind Hillary
in national polling…and that is a pretty clear sign that a majority
of voters want a change in US policy in Iraq..not a continuation
of the present policy, not a surge, not an escalation, and not
a president who has defied his generals, his former chief
of national security, the baker report, and the congress..If
the Republican Party nominates a pro-war, hawk they will
not win…so chuck hagel may be the only alternative if
the republicans want to hold the executive branch. Remember
those voters that will determine this next presidential election
are not the base of either party but the moderates in both parties
and most importantly the Independent or non-party affiated voters
and they will not countinence a pro-escalation president going
forward
Michael Edelman is a Republican political commentator based
in Westchester County New York
see MichaelEdelman.com

]]> By: BenG http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-201530 BenG Sun, 28 Jan 2007 03:55:03 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-201530 Sorry, I lost the comment when I went looking for the link. After reading it again, I'm remembering something my wife said after hearing about how impressive Newt Gingrich was, also on Meet the Press; "Is he running for president?" she asked," everyone sounds wonderful when they announce that!" Yea, I suppose they do. Here's the link for anyone interested: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16577874/page/5/ Sorry, I lost the comment when I went looking for the link. After reading it again, I’m remembering something my wife said after hearing about how impressive Newt Gingrich was, also on Meet the Press; “Is he running for president?” she asked,” everyone sounds wonderful when they announce that!” Yea, I suppose they do.
Here’s the link for anyone interested: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16577874/page/5/

]]> By: BenG http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-201382 BenG Sun, 28 Jan 2007 01:35:12 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-201382 It doesn't surprise me to hear Sen. Hagel has made enemies wth the rank n file Right, although I can't imagine why someone in the party can't speak their mind without being chastised, but this is how it's been with the group in power. You're either with them or against them. Criticism will get your name on the top 10 'Axis of Evil' list. Well folks, this is no way to treat your friends - or your enemies! But I guess we all have to learning the hard way with this group of 'conservatives'. As for Sen. Hagel, I was impressed with the content of what he had to say, going back to the Meet the Press panel he was recently on, and I liked his character, not because he was anti-Bush plan, but cause he spoke firmly and coherently against cliches like; 'for the sake of our grandchildren we cannot run from our responsobilities in Iraq'. I suggest reading the transcript if you missed it. It doesn’t surprise me to hear Sen. Hagel has made enemies wth the rank n file Right, although I can’t imagine why someone in the party can’t speak their mind without being chastised, but this is how it’s been with the group in power. You’re either with them or against them. Criticism will get your name on the top 10 ‘Axis of Evil’ list.
Well folks, this is no way to treat your friends – or your enemies! But I guess we all have to learning the hard way with this group of ‘conservatives’.
As for Sen. Hagel, I was impressed with the content of what he had to say, going back to the Meet the Press panel he was recently on, and I liked his character, not because he was anti-Bush plan, but cause he spoke firmly and coherently against cliches like; ‘for the sake of our grandchildren we cannot run from our responsobilities in Iraq’. I suggest reading the transcript if you missed it.

]]> By: Smith http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-199767 Smith Sat, 27 Jan 2007 03:14:27 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-199767 McCain and Hagel's way to prove they are centrist is to always oppose Republicans. I can't think of a time that McCain ever pounded the table for a Republican cause. But, how many front page stories do I see about him single-handedly saving the republic from Republicans. Same with Hagel. They both need attention, and the only way they can get it is by going against Republicans. Someone like McCain or Hagel could make a lot of noise now by standing WITH Republicans. Good luck with your McCain and Hagel wishes. McCain and Hagel’s way to prove they are centrist is to always oppose Republicans. I can’t think of a time that McCain ever pounded the table for a Republican cause. But, how many front page stories do I see about him single-handedly saving the republic from Republicans. Same with Hagel. They both need attention, and the only way they can get it is by going against Republicans. Someone like McCain or Hagel could make a lot of noise now by standing WITH Republicans.

Good luck with your McCain and Hagel wishes.

]]> By: Political Buzz » Hagel for President? http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-199709 Political Buzz » Hagel for President? Sat, 27 Jan 2007 02:06:49 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-199709 [...] The hype continues to grow surrounding Chuck Hagel, the latest hero of the hour. He’s confirmed that he is considering an ‘08 run and is really pulling in support from moderates. Some are even comparing him to the pre-pandering maverick stance of John McCain. Hagel is loyal to Republican principles, but not necessarily to Republican leaders. He has the marverick spirit that made McCain so interesting seven years ago. Maybe a Hagel run could shake up the Republican establishment and ween the party away from Bushism towards something more viable. [...] [...] The hype continues to grow surrounding Chuck Hagel, the latest hero of the hour. He’s confirmed that he is considering an ‘08 run and is really pulling in support from moderates. Some are even comparing him to the pre-pandering maverick stance of John McCain. Hagel is loyal to Republican principles, but not necessarily to Republican leaders. He has the marverick spirit that made McCain so interesting seven years ago. Maybe a Hagel run could shake up the Republican establishment and ween the party away from Bushism towards something more viable. [...]

]]> By: Thinking_Republican http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-199693 Thinking_Republican Sat, 27 Jan 2007 01:49:24 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-199693 Chuck Hagel is a rank opportunist who waited to see which way the wind was blowing; then, beat into that wind. John McCain may very well be wrong on the direction of the war. But he was consistent, going back YEARS. Hagel comes late to the party and starts touting his Vietnam experience as though he was the only one of the 300,000 that was there. Somebody above said he's "The Republican Lieberman". No; he's not. He's the Republican Kerry. Chuck Hagel is a rank opportunist who waited to see which way the wind was blowing; then, beat into that wind.

John McCain may very well be wrong on the direction of the war. But he was consistent, going back YEARS. Hagel comes late to the party and starts touting his Vietnam experience as though he was the only one of the 300,000 that was there.

Somebody above said he’s “The Republican Lieberman”. No; he’s not. He’s the Republican Kerry.

]]> By: Charlie http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-199112 Charlie Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:38:16 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-199112 As number2 points out, Hagel is clearly a Republican. He actually voted against some of the President's policies that were unpopular with Republicans (the expensive drug benefit bill and No Chlid Left Behind) but on the whole fits right in with the Republican party. Members of the GOP should take a good look at Senator Hagel as an option for 2008. As number2 points out, Hagel is clearly a Republican. He actually voted against some of the President’s policies that were unpopular with Republicans (the expensive drug benefit bill and No Chlid Left Behind) but on the whole fits right in with the Republican party. Members of the GOP should take a good look at Senator Hagel as an option for 2008.

]]> By: number2 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-199060 number2 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:15:45 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-199060 How exactly is Hagel a "maverick"? His only non-Bush stance has been the war in Iraq, otherwise, he is a faithful follower of any Bush initiative. His voting record is proof positive. How exactly is Hagel a “maverick”? His only non-Bush stance has been the war in Iraq, otherwise, he is a faithful follower of any Bush initiative. His voting record is proof positive.

]]> By: mw http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-198908 mw Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:17:48 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-198908 Republicans better hope that Chuck Hagel runs for president and gets some traction in the party. As you point out, it is going to be tough road. The Republican right is now so out of step with the majority of Americans over the War in Iraq, that I cannot see how Republicans can nominate an electable candidate. Fortunately this ragged right is becoming marginalized (although over-represented in the blogosphere)and is now a small minority of the Republican party and and even smaller minority of American opinion overall. Chuck is prominently featured in my most recent YouTube effort <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHn7A-dIXfw" rel="nofollow">"It's the war, stupid."</a> and recent <a href="http://westanddivided.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-war-stupid.html" rel="nofollow"> blog post</a> of the same name. Chuck Hagel is a rock solid conservative in the Goldwater tradition. He is more conservative than McCain, Giuliani, Romney, and certainly more conservative than Bush. He has been on the right side of this war since 2002 and that makes him <a href="http://westanddivided.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-war-stupid.html" rel="nofollow">the only electable Republican in the field.</a> It'll be too bad if he can't make it through the gauntlet of Republicans who have redefined being a Republican with a single litmus test of blind support of the President's policies on Iraq. You don't have to be a fiscal conservative to get their support. You don't have to be a social conservative to get their support. You just have to put on your blinders and march lockstep on a flawed war strategy. If Republicans like these carry the day, it will be the end of the Republican Party as a relevant political force for a generation Republicans better hope that Chuck Hagel runs for president and gets some traction in the party. As you point out, it is going to be tough road. The Republican right is now so out of step with the majority of Americans over the War in Iraq, that I cannot see how Republicans can nominate an electable candidate. Fortunately this ragged right is becoming marginalized (although over-represented in the blogosphere)and is now a small minority of the Republican party and and even smaller minority of American opinion overall.

Chuck is prominently featured in my most recent YouTube effort “It’s the war, stupid.” and recent blog post of the same name.

Chuck Hagel is a rock solid conservative in the Goldwater tradition. He is more conservative than McCain, Giuliani, Romney, and certainly more conservative than Bush. He has been on the right side of this war since 2002 and that makes him the only electable Republican in the field. It’ll be too bad if he can’t make it through the gauntlet of Republicans who have redefined being a Republican with a single litmus test of blind support of the President’s policies on Iraq. You don’t have to be a fiscal conservative to get their support. You don’t have to be a social conservative to get their support. You just have to put on your blinders and march lockstep on a flawed war strategy. If Republicans like these carry the day, it will be the end of the Republican Party as a relevant political force for a generation

]]> By: Rich Horton http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-198886 Rich Horton Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:07:39 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/01/26/chuck-hagel-the-john-mccain-of-2008/#comment-198886 The only "Draft Hagel" movement many Republicans support would send him to the front lines in Iraq. You cannot do anything if half of your own party loathes you. Hagel is nothing more than the Republican's Lieberman. The only “Draft Hagel” movement many Republicans support would send him to the front lines in Iraq. You cannot do anything if half of your own party loathes you.

Hagel is nothing more than the Republican’s Lieberman.

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