Sen. Chuck Hagel: "Will not endorse, will not be at either convention"

[Ichingcarpenter]

Let's end this speculation now...... OK?

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. (USA TODAY's Kathy Kiely reporting and writing.)

"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 on the call was Lincoln Chafee, a former senator from Rhode Island.

Hagel has no plans to attend either the Republican or the Democratic political conventions. Stark said the senator, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, will be on a congressionally-sponsored trip to Central and South America while the two parties are gathering. "Sen. Hagel is focused on his job," Stark said. The Democratic convention will be held Aug. 25-28 in Denver. Republicans meet Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul, Minn.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/08/sen-hagel-wont.html?csp=34

[gateley]

1. K&R - nt

[Gman]

2. Well, I guess that takes him out of the running for Obama's VP

Maybe he doesn't want it.

[Inuca]

3. I remember Hagel mentoning this trip

a couple of months ago or so. Not the date, but the trip. The point being that this is definitely not a last moment decision.