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okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
22. Many backed the Iraq war early on, before they knew how dishonest the assessments were. One
Sun Jan 27, 2013, 03:29 PM
Jan 2013

key thing with Hagel is that he was one of it's earliest and most vocal critics. He sided with the democrats and one or two other republicans against Pres. Bush. It was a time when those opposing it were being labeled as anti-American and not supporting our troops, the death knell of a political career:

A fellow Vietnam veteran, GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, disagreed with McCain's assessment. Hagel said the resolution would make clear the Senate's belief that Bush's policy is misguided We can't change the outcome of Iraq by putting American troops in the middle of a civil war," said Hagel, who is considering a run for the White House in 2008. When McCain offered a counter-proposal that was supposed to outline goals for the war but also guarantee funding, He called McCain's proposal meaningless because it offers benchmarks but does not spell out what the U.S. government will do if the Iraqi officials fail to meet them.
"What are the consequences? Are we then going to pull out?" Hagel asked. "Are we going to cut funding? Now, that falls more in the intellectually dishonest category."
Hagel had to go up against Bush, McCain, Lindsey Graham and Richard Lugar. All the GOP heavyweights.
Hagel also endorsed Obama, effectively alienating those in his party. He did what he thought was right. I don't think Obama is compromising so much with Hagel being a Republican since clearly they held similar views when it came to defense.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16988301/ns/politics/t/mccain-war-detractors-offer-no-ideas/

Citizens United The Gift That Keeps On Giving cantbeserious Jan 2013 #1
Do they include the address where one can send donations? Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #2
He slandered my community, he voted for every war he was asked to vote for, and he's Republican Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #3
I do not trust him, and I tend to believe that his previous radical stances have not changed. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #4
I also don't trust the consevative groups. Many here seem to say 'if those groups are against him Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #5
They don't hate Hagel... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #23
...and spend a few million bucks campaigning against him? Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #24
Actually, Josh Marshall had the whole interview from 15 years ago and said Hagel did not think TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #7
Hagel's words were "And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #8
Right--that's the only quote of the interview they released. The rest of interview (and context) TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #9
Where is a link to this quote you are claiming exists? Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #12
TPM had it a few weeks ago, someone posted it here in LBN. Look it up. TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #13
Ah, you made the claim, you look it up. I quoted Hagel, you quoted nothing. Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #15
You participated in that thread. Here is the pertinent quote: TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #16
Pro-Israel and defense industry groups got Koch/Adelson to put up the money. TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #6
But Hagel voted for all of Bush's wars, so this 'he's anti war' crap is just that, crap. Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #10
I can see that John Kerry as SoS is also unacceptable to you. Hagel has never been anti-war, he is TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #11
I'd not select anyone to head defense that thought Iraq was a good idea. Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #14
Obama nominates a Republican, and suddenly Republicans care about gay rights? tarheelsunc Jan 2013 #17
Awesome "logic", isn't it? nt bemildred Jan 2013 #20
Hagel's own party has turned on him Joey Liberal Jan 2013 #18
Use Your Mandate is classic pink washing by Team Neocon. geek tragedy Jan 2013 #19
AIPAC? Ian Iam Jan 2013 #21
Many backed the Iraq war early on, before they knew how dishonest the assessments were. One okaawhatever Jan 2013 #22
The seven-headed monster davidpdx Jan 2013 #25
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