Anyone else catch Hagel on MTP "if I run for president" not if I run for the

[RB TexLa]

republican nomination.

[jefferson_dem]

1. I heard that but i think you are making a distinction without a difference.

I don't think there's any way possible that he will run as an "I". And, if he did, that would *not be good* for the Dem in the General.

[skipos]

2. So the guy who thinks Ben Nelson "votes like Kennedy too much"

(not sure of the exact quote, but that's damn close) would not be good for the Dem in the general? I don't think so.

[jefferson_dem]

3. True. He is hardcore right-winger. He's also one who would divide the anti-war vote.

It's hard to tell what effect any independent candidacy would have but, whatever the case, i don't see Hagel running as an "I".

[TwilightZone]

4. He's a solid Republican. Running as an I would end his political career.

It won't happen.

[opihimoimoi]

6. Yup...Hagel is Toast....either way..Repubic or Indy...he is TOAST

[KittyWampus]

5. Hagel is the one GOP'er that worries me terribly. If the GOP was smart they'd line up behind him

One can only hope the White House and Rove decide to torpedo him.

[phillysuse]

7. Hagel's position on the war is closer to mine

than Hillary Clinton's and I suspect that is true of many here at DU.

If the Republicans run Hagel against Clinton, Hagel will win.

And he is NOT a liberal on domestic issues - hard core Republican right but he is right on the war.

The only candidate who could effectively take Hagel - Vietnam war veteran now against Bush' war--
is General Wesley Clark - Edwards, Obama, and the others wouldn't stand a chance against Hagel.

[earthlover]

8. I share that fear...

...Imagine the IRONY of the Reps nominating a candidate who opposed the Iraq War more clearly and for a longer time than the Dem nominee!

This is the number one issue that concerns voters. It should be our issue. If Hagel gets the nomination and we don't nominate someone who opposed Iraq, we not only lose Iraq as our issue, it may even turn into THEIR issue!

OK...let's nominate Hillary so Hagel can kill her in a debate by mentioning the word Iraq. Then all her triangulation and tough talk on Iran will sink her even faster.

Nightmare.

[mnhtnbb]

9. My nightmare is the Repubs wake up in time to nominate Hagel