Iraq stance may keep Hagel (R-Ne) from endorsing McCain

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Bloomberg

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said Sunday that his long-held disagreements with the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war may prevent him from endorsing fellow Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid.

"When I endorse someone, or when I work for someone or commit to someone, I want to be behind that person in every way I can," Hagel, who supports a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, said on ABC's "This Week."

"John and I have some pretty fundamental disagreements over the future of foreign policy."

Hagel, who serves on the Foreign Relations Committee and is retiring from the Senate when his second term ends in January, said the United States needs a "clear plan" for ending the war.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10291326

[BearSquirrel2]

1. Hagel might as well flip ...

Hagel might as well flip to the Democrats. The GOP will savage him in the next election.

[macracan]

2. Why not leave R?

Yes, why doesn't Hagel switch from R to D or at least to I? I have wondered for a long time? What's keeping him?

[Omaha Steve]

3. Because he votes like an R on everything except the war

Compare his record to Ben Nelson, all of a sudden many people would find new respect for Ben. Here is the AFL-CIO scorecard for these two last year. It lists the issue and vote results.

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/legislativealert/votes/member.cfm?state=NE&pg=1

[ingac70]

6. Chuck has no plans to run again...

and given his stance on the lead up to this war, as well as a host of other positions, well, I don't want that trash in my party.

[CueST]

4. .

He's already out as of the end-of-term. He's always been my favorite republican.

[Acadia Blue]

5. I hope he shows some integrity and does not endorse McCain.

[truthisfreedom]

7. He's right not to join the losing candidate.

McCain will be even more disappointed this run than he was last time he tried to pretend he could be president.