Hagel: "I'm so sorry the vice president so underestimates the people of this country."

[sabra]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june07/senate_01-24.html

<snip>

GWEN IFILL: A final question, and for you both, and once again from Vice President Cheney. His interview, Senator Hagel, today at CNN, he said that part of what's going on here is that people do not have the stomach to complete this mission. Senator Hagel, your response to that?

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL: Oh, I'm so sorry the vice president so underestimates the people of this country. He has so little faith in this country to say something like that. That's an astounding statement from the vice president of the United States.

You're telling me -- or maybe more directly, maybe the vice president should tell the families of those who have lost their lives, over 3,000, and over 23,000 wounded, some very seriously for life, that they don't have the stomach? Come on, let's get real here.

That is the last bastion of no facts, and no realities, and not having a real argument, or being afraid, or being afraid of a real debate.

[Philosoraptor]

1. Thanks for saying it Chuck

[Swamp Rat]

7. I only wish Hagel had mentioned that Cheney has no heart... literally and figuratively.

[Echotrail]

2. That's rich. "5 deferment Cheney" saying Americans don't

have the stomach for brutal elective war.

[bdamomma]

3. Cheney is HOGWASH!!!

[BOSSHOG]

6. Welcome Echotrail we are glad you are here

Good thing dick had the stomach to get those deferments; so he didn't have to soil his young republican hands in Vietnam. When he feared the deferments were running out, he had sex with whatshername (for the sole purpose of getting her pregnant and wala another deferment?) What a fucking guy. No wonder he is a hero to the ignorant trash which comprises bush's base and spends their days waving their flags.

[Gato Moteado]

15. i don't think it could have been said any better!

you nailed it.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. You Got That Wrong Boss

Cheney would not have soiled his hands in Vietnam. He would have soiled his britches.
The Professor

[NewJeffCT]

10. my thoughts exactly & welcome to DU

I guess Mr. Cheney didn't see the irony in his statements.

[HereSince1628]

4. It's finally sinking in...the Power Behind the Throne has no clothes, either.

Of course the chickensh*t media will argue they just needed a few politicians to say it outloud so they could report it.

[flashlighter]

5. "If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes"

That was Hagle's quote to Republican senators who wouldn't take a stand on this.

“I think all 100 senators ought to be on the line on this. What do you believe? What are you willing to support? What do you think? Why were you elected?” Mr. Hagel said, his voice booming. “If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes.”

That. Was. Awesome.

[bdamomma]

17. and what Hagel said come from the heart.

these Senators know that they are dealing with a out of control person.

[hippiechick]

8. Only a bully ...

... would call the American people 'chickens' just because they're starting to disagree with him.

Cluck much, Dick? :+

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Anyone else getting a little worried that Hagel's going to announce?

As forcefully as he's coming out about it, and with his Con creds he just might leap to the front spot with someone like Brownback as VP. It's going to get very, very interesting.

[NewJeffCT]

12. Despite his Right Wing record -

(other than his opposition to Bush on Iraq) I don't think Hagel is too popular among
conservatives.

He would be more dangerous in a general election because of his outspokenness on the war... thereby shortening the reach of an anti-war Democrat (like Gore or Obama)

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. It's the GE that bothers me

I can imagine a significant amount of indys going to his support, especially if Hillary is the Democratic nominee. As to the Cons making him the nominee, hmmmm, hard to say. Unlike the Cons who always give advice to the Democrats, I don't pretend to channel the Cons on this one.

Dammit! I really, really, really hope he doesn't decide to get into it. :(

[NewJeffCT]

14. I think a year from now

The "war" will be even less popular, thus dragging down a potential McCain candidacy.

Rudy G has at least been playing that one smart in not saying anything about the war... and, his liberal record on social issues will not hurt him with moderates. However, getting through the primaries could be tough for him.

Hagel could have even doomed himself by speaking out against the war, as the neocon wing will never go for him now.

That leaves Romney, Brownback, Gingrich, and probably some governors (Huckabee?)

Brownback and Huckabee would split the Fundie vote, leaving the rest to Rudy G.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

16. Ya McCain has really bet it all on Black, hasn't he?

[NewJeffCT]

22. I think it's even worse than that

At least with black or red, you have close to a 50-50 shot.

I think the chances of success with the escalation are close to nil, and most of the military experts seem to agree.

It's more like McCain is betting on 00

[ProfessorGAC]

26. Nope. On Red. The Color Of Blood (eom)

The Professor

[mikeytherat]

18. Rudy G officially endorses Bush/McCain/Lie-berman surge

Giuliani: Bush Did the Right Thing

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/1/10/222719.shtml?s=lh

mikey_the_rat

[NewJeffCT]

21. What a stupid move on his part

He could have said nothing, and should have.

[adigal]

29. Rudy is on record supporting the surge

I heard him on Fox News last week, saying he supporter the president.

[NewJeffCT]

31. when it's January 2008

and we're up to 4,000 American dead and half the Iraqi congress has been assassinated and Bush's popularity is at 18%, how will Rudy & McCain sell their support of the escalation to primary voters?

[blm]

19. I'm with you, NN. There is no chance of beating Hagel unless Gore or Clark

or Kerry were the nominee, so it looks like it is up to Gore or Clark at this point.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

23. No, what I really fear is an Independent Chuck Hagel running for Pres.

I doubt the base of the Republican Party will nominate either him or John McCain. But as an Independent running... Look the fuck out. This could have serious implications for the Electoral College.

I think if either of them ran as an Indy, it would possibly prevent either party's nominee from getting the 270 votes necessary to win. And then it would go to the House of Representatives, where it would get really ugly...

[Norquist Nemesis]

27. Ok, I'll confess to self-isolation from ConSpeak echo chambers

like FoxNoise (thank you, KO!) and every single minute of the 43,000+ hours of hate radio aired each week...but, what is it that the Cons don't like about Chuck Hagel?

It seems to me that on every issue his record speaks firmly on the side of "Conservatives". He's looked at as a leader, had Chairs on powerful committees, doesn't stick his head up and run to the camera at every possible opportunity, and is extremely loyal to "The Party." As to the war, he's pretty much in line with the majority of America. He expresses his 'disagreement' with Bush's policy in such a way as that he's standing firm on the side of the troops. :shrug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

28. They look at Hagel like we look at Lieberman.

The parallels are there - Lieberman has a very liberal voting record on most issues, but diverts from us - and very outspokenly so - on very important issues.

Hagel is the same way. Conservative voting record, but trips over himself to bash his own party's goals when it's for his own good. He's not seen as loyal, whether or not that's the reality of the situation.

[Norquist Nemesis]

30. Ok, thanks

Like I said, I don't pretend to channel them. :)

[TwilightZone]

34. Other than the war, Hagel hasn't disagreed with the administration on anything substantive

His usual game is to act "independent" publicly, then vote the party line, so his loyalty is not as in question as you might think.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

39. Ask a freeper.

You'll get a response similar to how we'd respond to Lieberman. It takes far less for Republicans to claim lack of loyalty than it does for us.

[Bucky]

35. Hagel's making some brilliant plays here.

But I doubt the Republicans can supplant the Democrats as the end-the-war party. It'd tear their convention apart.

[BurtWorm]

11. This American doesn't have the stomach for Cheney's repulsive puss.

:puke:

[mopinko]

20. i predict chuck hagel

will be one of the emissaries to the white house, telling these rodents that it is their last chance to get off the sinking ship. i hope we send jim webb.

[JohnnyLib2]

24. Yes!

And he deserves the honor as of this week.

[irislake]

32. Cheney's arrogance is breath-taking.

Pathological to the point of madness. A dangerous man. The most dangerous man on the globe right now.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Before this is all said and done in Iraq, I predict Hagel become an Independent.

He would probably still caucus with repukes because he's so far right on everything, but at least he won't call himself a Repuke anymore and it would be another slap in the party's face.

He is MAD. It's refreshing to see someone stand up to these warmongers. It's especially refreshing to see a repuke do it!

[Imagevision]

36. Actually Cheney's bullsh*t has gotten more then just old, he's annoying as hell

to listen to as he dictates what is - and what is not not going on within this war, all the man knows is mushroom clouds and the fear factor. The DICK should remain silent and in the background like other vice presidents, but then, Bush would have no talking points.

[driver8]

37. I agree...I'm sick of listening to his bullshit and his "holier than thou"

attitude.

He is a chickenhawk with 5 deferments and he's talking about this country not "having the stomach for war."?

I guess the word "ironic" isn't in the neocon playbook.

[saltpoint]

38. I'd pay some good money indeed to hear a debate between Hagel

and Uncle Dick.

I think the Senator from Nebraska would prevail handily in that one.