Hagel's 2008 plans?

Senator Hagel has said that he won't announce his plans for 2008 until January, be that running for President, running for reelection in the Senate, or moving onto something else. The Leavenworth Street blog reported this today:

On Omaha KMTV Ch. 3's Thursday 6pm news, Joe Jordan reported that while Chuck Hagel won't reveal his Presidential plans until January 2007 at the earliest, two Hagel insiders said Hagel:

1) will NOT run for President

2) and will NOT run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.

Obviously, this is not good news for us; hopefully it is not accurate. Please email Chuck Hagel or contact his Senate office and encourage him to run.

Chuck Hagel's reaction to the death of Gerald Ford

Here is what Chuck Hagel said about the death of former President Gerald Ford

"The death of Gerald Ford is a sad moment for all Nebraskans and all Americans. History will remember President Ford for holding our nation together during a time of trauma and division. He earned the trust and the confidence of the American people through the force of his will and his common decency."

(from CNN.com)

Technorati tags: Gerald Ford

Merry Christmas from the Draft Hagel movement

Merry Christmas everyone! There will be fewer posts over the holiday, but I'll try to post if anything significant happens.

Senator Hagel's address at UNL

The commencement address at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln this December was delivered by Chuck Hagel. Here is his speech, from his Senate website.

After 60 years of living, I still do not have all the answers to life. But I have learned some things. I’d like to share five lessons I have learned over those years that might be of some use to you as you look forward from this day.

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Twain said it very well.

Lesson 1: Take risks and seek new experiences. Nothing worth having in life comes without the risk of failure. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failing to try is worse than failing to achieve. Your generation will have more options than any generation of Americans. Take advantage of them. Seek out new challenges.

“...the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic— the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Lesson 2: Do what is ethical, not just what is legal. Too often, especially in Washington, we define our standards of conduct by legality. We blow past the ethical boundaries. There is a difference between ethical and legal conduct. Hold yourself to a higher standard than simply what you can get away with. Don’t play on the legal edge. Don’t cut corners. Compete with yourself...and you’ll always be honest with yourself.

During your life, when you are faced with difficult decisions, almost always, you will know that the right thing to do...is the right thing to do. Do it. Listen to yourself and be guided by what you believe is right. Standing against the crowd and doing what you think is right may be very lonely at the time, but it will serve you well over the long haul.

“Laws control the lesser man. Right conduct controls the greater one.”
Chinese Proverb

Lesson 3: Continue your education. The University of Nebraska has given you a tremendous start in life, but it is only a start. Do not lose your sense of curiosity and quest for improvement. Read, read, read and then read some more. The world in which you will be working will be more competitive than any generation has ever known. Education is a lifelong pursuit...it will prepare you professionally and enhance you personally. Remember, that you will be limited professionally if you hold back personally.

“Learning from experience is a faculty almost never practiced.”
Barbara Tuchman

Lesson 4: Give something back. Every graduate here today has traveled a different path, but you all have something in common. You all benefitted from living in a country that allowed you the opportunity to receive a first-rate education. That shared bond also comes with a shared responsibility to give something back to your country. Whether it is mentoring a child, serving in the military, running for office, or volunteering for a noble cause, this country will provide you countless everyday meaningful opportunities to give something back to society. Patriotism is an old fashioned value, but it never outlives its time. We all have an obligation in life to help make a better world for all people.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill

Lesson 5: Remember what really matters in life. We live in an age of instant communication and gratification. In many ways this has made our lives easier to live and more productive than ever before, but the constant challenge for you in this “immediate world” will be to ensure that it does not diminish the things that are most important in life. Everyone who will walk across this stage this morning is here because family and friends helped you get here. In life, it is family and friends that matter most. Do not forget that.

Don’t hold back your enthusiasms or dim your passions for your beliefs, loves and interests. Commit yourself fully, knowing that life will at times be unfair– but will always even out in the end. Regrets are painful to live with. You’ll have some– but you don’t want too many.

“It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes

You are graduating at a special time. The world is undergoing a historic time of transformation and redefinition. These great moments in history come about twice in a century. Embrace this time to be alive and engage yourself in every part of it. Think of the opportunities you have to help shape the future of mankind. You will have the opportunity to do more good, for more people than any generation in the history of man. Don’t squander it.

The longer you live, the more you will realize that the two indispensable requisites in life are character and courage. Life is not worth much without them. The currency of life is trust– a product of character. The spirit of life is faith– a product of courage. Never lose them. For no matter the depth of despair or the difficulty of the dilemma– they will see you through. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “character is higher than intellect.” This too you will come to recognize more and more.

We’re proud of you. Congratulations. You’re now Huskers for life!

Krusty's New Poll

The Krusty Konservative has a new 2008 poll up. Go and vote Hagel.

"Global framework must recognize 21st-century realities"

Senator Hagel has a piece in today's Omaha World-Herald that is quite good. It is an excellent example of how Chuck Hagel views the world and sees the interconnectedness of the globe today and how the U.S. must respond to that. You can read it here.

New system of labels

Now that this blog has been switched over to Blogger beta a system of labels is being put into place. Now if you want to read up on a particular topic (say Leadership, Iraq, Video) you can find posts related to that topic via the labels. I hope this is one more way I can make it easier to get you the information you want on Senator Hagel and why he'll make a great President.

Michigan for Hagel blog

There is a brand new Michigan for Hagel 2008 blog that is up and running. Check it out and say hi.

What We Can Do NOW for Hagel '08

Here are a few things that people can do now to help make the road to the White House a possibility for Chuck Hagel.

One of the key things that must be done is networking. A grassroots movement is being built and it needs to grow. To further that, fill out the form on the right hand side of this page. Also, join one of the Chuck Hagel for President groups (Chuck Hagel 2008 Google Group, Hagel for President, Missouri for Hagel, South Carolina for Hagel , Chuck Hagel Myspace Group, and the two at Facebook).

A key element is simply spreading the word. Talk to people about Chuck Hagel and discuss why he will make a great President. Also, share your reasons for supporting Chuck Hagel here; we'd love to hear why you like Senator Hagel. You'd be amazed at how much impact just talking to people has.

Also, buy merchandise and get his name and the idea of him running for President into people's heads. At this point getting people to think about the possibility is critical. Also, getting those people that are likely to volunteer on a campaign or donate money to think about Hagel for President is important, as they are more likely to be thinking about it earlier than your average voter.

One more way that you can help Chuck Hagel on the road to the White House is to donate money. Two ways to do this are to donate to his PAC, and/or to his Senate campaign. Any money in his Senate campaign can be transferred to a Presidential campaign.

Another thing that people can do is drive the Internet Buzz surrounding Chuck Hagel. There are numerous ways to do this. Everyone can vote for Chuck Hagel in online polls. Also, everyone can comment on blogs, expressing their support for Senator Hagel. If you have a website or blog, add a banner or a link to this site (http://hagel2008.blogspot.com) and others that support Chuck Hagel. If you have a blog, post about Chuck Hagel.

If anyone has other ideas, please share them.

Your reasons for a Hagel Presidency (Part 7)

This is another in our continuing series on why people would like to see Chuck Hagel as the next U.S. President. This post is from Nathan and was originally posted over at Students for Hagel.

At a time when Republicans have lost the Senate and the House, many see our chances of retaining the Presidency in 2008 as slim to none. I, however, remain confident, due to one man: Senator Chuck Hagel. When I say the name, "Senator Chuck Hagel," many people respond, "who?" And that is the biggest problem that we face. As of now, the front Republican runner is considered to be Senator McCain (AZ); however, I remain confident. Senator McCain lacks the support of a major portion of the Republican Party, the hard core social conservatives. With a mediocre (at best) conservative stance on social issues like abortion and gay marriage, Senator McCain will have a hard time winning the nomination from these voters. Senator Hagel, however, can get the support of the social conservatives, while still being supported by the centrist voters. Senator Hagel is a perfect mix: he is able to get religious and centrist Republicans, something Senator McCain will wish he would have been able to do. The only thing left to do is to spread the word about Senator Hagel. His problem as of now is recognition, as I indicated in my example. At a time when it is looking grim for Republicans, we cannot fail to do all that we can to get Senator Hagel the nomination, so that we can retain the Presidency to keep America a great country.

Please let us know why you support Chuck Hagel.

Get active!

Here are a couple of things you can do right now to help the Chuck Hagel grassroots movement:
Vote in on-line polls. Here's a new one.

Another way you can help is to let people know why Chuck Hagel will be a good President and a good candidate. The Political Derby is about to do another one of its rankings. Their last email said: "Now's your last chance to make your case for or against a candidate. Send your tips or dirty laundry to wire@politicalderby.com."

Send them an email telling them why Senator Hagel should be raised in the rankings (why he should be President or why he's likely to be elected). The same goes for the Caucus Cooler and the Michigan Cooler as well (you can post your same reasons as comments on those blogs).

Leadership Required

It is because of his leadership that many people want to see Chuck Hagel in the White House. This was from a week or so ago following Senator Hagel's Face the Nation appearance. From Angry Bear:

But you might have surmised the point of the last link was to show Senator Chuck Hagel in contrast to Lieberman. Yes, I watched Face the Nation and thought to myself, this guy gets it and knows how to tell the truth. Hagel may be a lot more conservative than I am, but what I want most in the next President of the United States is leadership. A prerequisite of leadership is integrity and as I think of the field of GOP wannabes, no one comes close to Senator Hagel. Now if he could only tell me how he would restore fiscal responsibility ...

Thankfully Senator Hagel has built his career in the Senate on fiscal responsibility. Chuck Hagel has integrity and leadership, as well as a strong vision for the direction of the United States in the 21st century.

GOP Bloggers Straw Poll

GOP Bloggers has their December straw poll up. Go vote Hagel!

"Hagel Speech on Iraq/Middle East"

Last Thursday Senator Chuck Hagel gave a speech regarding Iraq and the Middle East to the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul Nitze School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS). It is a remarkable speech and well worth a read. I'd love to post the whole thing here, but it would be too long. Go and read the speech at his Senate website.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Iraq

GOP Progress - 10 Favorite Senators

Liz Mair has compiled a list of her ten favorite senators and the reasons for their places over at GOP Progress. Chuck Hagel makes it in at number three.

Why I like him: It's tough to find anyone more fiscally conservative than Hagel (and the only person who I believe consistently pulls it off is at the top of this list). It's also hard to find any Republican who is as upfront about the spending habits of Republicans on Capitol Hill. Yes, Hagel irritates people a lot, with his criticism of the President over Iraq and foreign policy, generally, but deep in his criticisms, I often find some rare Capitol Hill wisdom. He also has great market-based and market-friendly ideas on how to improve the environment, and actually takes an interest in banking law and policy--a pet concern of mine as an ex-banking lawyer, and something I think too many people on Capitol Hill ignore. Oh--and he voted against the FMA on exactly the right grounds: the 10th Amendment.

The Cato Institute on Iraq

The Cato Institute is a conservative/libertarian think tank. There is an article on their website that argues strongly for the U.S. to get out of Iraq, and soon.

But there is potential support for withdrawal among Republicans as well. In his recent Washington Post piece, Nebraska Senator Hagel stated categorically "The United States must begin planning for a phased troop withdrawal from Iraq."

Other veteran Republicans, including Richard Lugar of Indiana, the outgoing chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Virginia's John Warner, and South Carolina's Lindsay Graham have all voiced their concerns about an open-ended military commitment in Iraq.

An expeditious withdrawal would allow the United States to begin to rebuild its tattered image abroad. It would also free up political, diplomatic and military resources for use against al-Qaeda and other like-minded anti-American terrorist groups. Withdrawal carries risks, including the danger that the civil war in Iraq could grow more violent, or even spread beyond the country's borders, but the alternative – an indefinite commitment that saps American strength and undermines American security – is worse.

The ISG refused to make the case for ending this war. If the conflict drags on, and the costs in blood and treasure continue to mount, history will look back on their work as a lost opportunity.

While some on the right are still angry with Senator Hagel, more and more people are coming to the same conclusions he has been articulating.

The Iraq War and the 2008 Candidates

There is an interesting article about the 2008 Presidential race with regard to the Iraq war over at TomPaine.com. Senator Hagel is one of only two potential 2008 candidates that come away form the analysis in a positive light. Here are some excerpts from it:

What's the best way to judge a potential president? It might be to look at the hard decisions a candidate has made in the past. And for several of the probable and possible 2008 contenders, the October 2002 vote in the Senate on the resolution granting George W. Bush the authority to attack Iraq whenever he deemed fit was the most difficult call they had to make. It certainly was the most consequential. All of the current senatorial presidential wannabes who were in office then—Democrats Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Christopher Dodd, Evan Bayh, and Republicans John McCain, Chuck Hagel and Sam Brownback—voted for the bill. So, too, did former Sen. John Edwards. (Sen. Barack Obama, who opposed the war, was not yet in the Senate.) But there were differences in how each approached and explained his or her vote. So let's go back through the dusty pages of the Congressional Record, and see how these legislators handled this tough task—and helped land the United States in the biggest foreign policy blunder of recent decades..

Chuck Hagel. Of all the senators eyeing the White House in 2008, this Nebraskan was the only one to express deep reservations about the resolution—while still voting for it. “America—including the Congress—and the world, must speak with one voice about Iraqi disarmament, as it must continue to do so in the war on terrorism,” Hagel said in explaining his vote. But he was prescient: “If disarmament in Iraq requires the use of force, we need to consider carefully the implications and consequences of our actions. The future of Iraq after Saddam Hussein is also an open question. Some of my colleagues and some American analysts now speak authoritatively of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in Iraq, and how Iraq can be a test case for democracy in the Arab world. How many of us really know and understand much about Iraq, the country, the history, the people, the role in the Arab world? I approach the issue of post-Saddam Iraq and the future of democracy and stability in the Middle East with more caution, realism and a bit more humility.” He added, “Imposing democracy through force in Iraq is a roll of the dice. A democratic effort cannot be maintained without building durable Iraqi political institutions and developing a regional and international commitment to Iraq's reconstruction. No small task.”

Hagel was disappointed in the discourse within the Senate: “We should spend more time debating the cost and extent of this commitment, the risks we may face in military engagement with Iraq, the implications of the precedent of United States military action for regime change and the likely character and challenges of a post-Saddam Iraq. We have heard precious little from the President, his team, as well as from this Congress, with a few notable exceptions, about these most difficult and critical questions.” And he cautioned humility: “I share the hope of a better world without Saddam Hussein, but we do not really know if our intervention in Iraq will lead to democracy in either Iraq or elsewhere in the Arab world.” Bottom line: Hagel feared the resolution would lead to a war that would go badly but didn't have the guts to say no to the leader of his party.

I can't say that I agree with that last line. Senator Hagel saw what COULD happen if his (and others) advice was not heeded, rather than he was unwilling to stand up to the President. We've seen since then that Senator Hagel has the courage to speak out against the President on Iraq.

"Hagel visits to test presidential waters"

There's an article in the Omaha World-Herald that sheds some light on Senator Hagel's speaking plans in the near future. From the article:

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Hagel, a possible 2008 White House contender, will visit one key campaign state next month and possibly another in January.

The Nebraska Republican is scheduled to visit Ohio as featured speaker at the Cuyahoga County Republicans' holiday party Dec. 15.

Ohio's presidential primary often plays an important early role in deciding party nominees.

Hagel also has tentatively penciled in a late January trip to Iowa - a year ahead of the state's presidential caucuses that kick off the battle for the White House every four years.

He's been invited to speak at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, a frequent stop for candidates.

Hagel spokesman Mike Buttry said that despite the two trips, the senator is no closer to deciding whether he'll enter the presidential race. Several other Republicans and Democrats already are launching their campaigns...

Hagel also is scheduled to introduce U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the featured speaker Dec. 11 at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Mo. It will be Annan's last major speech before retiring as secretary general.

Hagel also will deliver the Dec. 16 commencement address at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Also don't forget the contest, you can still win a button!

"Hagel Statement on the Recommendations of the Iraq Study Group"

Here is a press release from Senator Hagel's Senate office released today.

December 6th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement today regarding the recommendations release by the Iraq Study Group:

“The Iraq Study Group has provided an important opportunity for the Administration to forge a bi-partisan consensus around a new way forward in Iraq. I look forward to reviewing all of the Iraq Study Groups recommendations. The report is an acknowledgment that there will be no military solution in Iraq. It will require a political solution arrived at through sustained Iraqi and region-wide diplomacy and engagement.

“The President and Congress now must work together to frame a new policy that will allow the U.S. to leave Iraq and the Iraqi people to make their own decisions as to their future.”

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Iraq Study Group

Get your Hagel 2008 buttons

Want a cool looking Chuck Hagel for President button like this one?

Our first ever "contest":
Each of the first five people that do the following three things will get one of these buttons from me in the mail (and anyone that does this will be added to the blogroll on this site).

1.) Post a blog post in support of Senator Hagel and
2.) include a link to this blog.
3.) Email me your name and address (so I know where to send the buton).

These buttons are part of the collection from Oval Office 2008 on CafePress. Check out their stuff, as any Hagel merchandise you buy will count towards the botton poll at Oval Office 2008. Remember, only the first five get buttons, but everyone that does this and lets me know about it will be added to the blogroll on this site.

Video of this Morning's Face the Nation

You can catch the video of Senator Hagel's segment on this morning's Face the Nation here.

Moving up at The Next Prez

The Next Prez does their weekly Friday Top Five and this week Chuck Hagel is moving up. Also be sure to vote in their new 2008 poll for December. Here's what they had to say:

7. Chuck Hagel (rising) -- With the public weary of the ongoing war in Iraq, Hagel is one of the few Republicans who can claim to be right on the issue from the outset.

Senator Hagel on Face the Nation

Chuck Hagel will be on CBS's Sunday morning show Face the Nation tomorrow morning. Check local listings to find out when he'll be on in your area.

"Big Bad Chuck Hagel"

This was too funny (and interesting) to not share. Bayh2008 Coast-to-Coast is a blog similar to this one supporting Democrat Evan Bayh's likely 2008 Presidential run. Here's what they had to say about Senator Hagel.

The only Republican I fear is big bad Chuck Hagel.

The Chucker could give us trouble.

I would never vote for a Republican....

But the Chucker has BALLS that CLANG just ike Mario Cuomo had/has.

This is not the first time I've heard Democratic/liberal bloggers express their concern over Chuck Hagel getting the nomination, as he is one they do not want to face in the November 2008 election.

Notes on Chuck Hagel from Electoral Vote.com

Electoral Vote.com has a list of possible 2008 candidates and brief notes about each of them. Here is what they noted about Senator Chuck Hagel (emphasis added):

Like John McCain, Chuck Hagel is a decorated Vietnam veteran. Since Hagel is less well known than McCain, he is staking out a different piece of territory: he says the war has failed and we ought to start thinking about getting out. He has been far more critical of George Bush than any Democrat, even John Murtha. If the war is still the dominant issue in 2008, he can say "I warned you years ago" and have a lot of credibility. Also unlike McCain, he is not cozying up to the right-wing preachers, which may hurt him in the primaries but will help him in the general election. On domestic issues, he is slightly more conservative than McCain, though. He positively radiates integrity and gravitas and at 60, he looks like a president.

I'm not quite sure I agree with all of it, but it does raise a few interesting points. Senator Hagel is one that is likely to be agreeable to the Christian Right (much more so that Rudy and some of the others), but as far as I know he is not in close with that movement. Senator Hagel is a social conservative but that has not been the focus of his career. Likewise, I don't think that his Iraq position can be based on political calculations, but rather personal experience from Vietnam and how he saw that Congress as having failed in their duty to ask the tough questions for the troops fighting abroad. Your thoughts?

Convince The Caucus Cooler

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to convince The Caucus Cooler that Chuck Hagel's odds should be higher than they are listed right now.

The Caucus Cooler is an excellent blog (except for their low odds on Hagel) looking at the 2008 Iowa Caucus (and only the Iowa Caucus). Please take a look at their site (it's well worth the read) and post comments arguing why Senator Hagel has a decent shot in the Iowa Caucus in early 2008 and should be moved up higher in their line.

"Hagel's Moment"

The Washington Post today has a great piece by David Ignatius ("Hagel's Moment?"). It is well worth the read. My appologies for two full article posts in one week, but they're both so good...

Hagel's Moment?

By David Ignatius

Wednesday, November 29, 2006; Page A23

A month ago the idea that Sen. Chuck Hagel would make a serious run for the Republican presidential nomination would have been a non-starter. As an outspoken critic of President Bush on Iraq and other issues, Hagel's way was blocked. His best hope was nomination by a quixotic third party in an online convention.

It's a measure of the step change brought about by the Nov. 7 elections that Hagel is now seriously exploring a GOP presidential bid. The Republican blowout, he says, reflected a "breakdown of confidence and trust in governance" and opened the way for what he believes will be "the most wide-open presidential race since 1952." The Nebraska senator says he will make a formal decision in the next two months on whether to run.

What would make a Hagel candidacy interesting is that he can claim to have been right about Iraq and other key issues earlier than almost any national politician, Republican or Democratic. Though a Vietnam veteran and a hawk on many national security issues, he had prescient misgivings about the Iraq war -- and, more important, the political courage to express these doubts clearly, at a time when many politicians were running for cover.

Hagel warned about the dangers of invading Iraq in a Feb. 20, 2003, speech in Kansas. He noted that America stood "nearly alone" in advocating military force to disarm Iraq and cautioned against "a rush to war." Some of Hagel's premonitions were almost eerie: "What comes after Saddam Hussein? The uncertainties of a post-Saddam, post-conflict Middle East should give us pause, encourage prudence and force us to recognize the necessity of coalitions in seeing it through." He urged the Bush administration to transfer postwar oversight to the United Nations as soon as possible, and he admonished Iraq boosters to "put aside the mistaken delusion that democracy is just around the corner."

Hagel was also early to understand the importance of talking to Iran, another idea that has since become commonplace but at the time took political guts. In a July 10, 2003, speech on the Senate floor, he said that a direct U.S. dialogue with Tehran about the nuclear issue might be necessary. In a Nov. 15, 2005, speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, he was emphatic: "The fact that our two governments cannot -- or will not -- sit down to exchange views must end."

Such outspoken criticisms of Bush policies had put Hagel outside the respectable Republican perimeter -- until Election Day. Hagel delivered his own blunt postmortem in a Nov. 16 speech to a conservative political action committee, GOPAC. The message of the election, he said, "is the American people saying you failed." Republicans had become so focused on keeping power that "we came loose of our moorings."

Hagel went on to criticize his party's failings in language you rarely hear in the usual pre-masticated sound bites of today's politicians. On GOP ethics lapses: "When you blow past the ethical standards and you play on the edge of legality, you're in trouble." On Bush administration foreign policy: "You cannot have a foreign policy based on divine mission. We tried that in the Middle Ages, that's what the Crusades were about."

It strains credulity to imagine that a GOP controlled by Bush and Karl Rove could learn to love Hagel, but, as the Nebraskan says, this is a time of "transformational politics." A more practical problem is that if Hagel does decide to seek the nomination, he will be competing for the same niche as the GOP front-runner, Sen. John McCain, who has been on his "straight-talk express" longer than has Hagel. And although McCain's centrist halo has been tarnished by his efforts to woo the far right, he remains a far more polished speaker and campaigner than Hagel. But on Iraq, Hagel has a clearer stance than does McCain, whose call for a big increase in troops is out of step with both the recommendations of U.S. military commanders and the public mood.

Hagel likes to evoke the Republicanism of Dwight Eisenhower, another former military officer who could be devastating in his criticism of the policies advocated by the military-industrial complex. "This was a real Republican president," he told the GOPAC audience.

Will that pre-Reagan Revolution message play to the party faithful in Iowa and New Hampshire in 2008? Will the Bush administration's problems become so severe that Republicans would embrace a senator from the radical center? The very fact that Hagel is mulling a campaign reminds us that American politics turned a corner this month and that we are in new territory.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, Washington Post

One take on yesterday's op-ed

If you haven't gotten a chance yet, read Chuck Hagel's op-ed from yesterday's Washington Post. Also, there is a nice discussion going on about it in the comments, so please feel free to join in.

I ran across an interesting article ("A Republican Takes the Lead on Iraq") that was worth sharing. It was from The Nation, so it has its biases, but it offered an interesting perspective. Here are excerpts from it:

Now, with a new Congress about to charge, Hagel writes, "It is not too late. The United States can still extricate itself honorably from an impending disaster in Iraq."

Democrats should be asking themselves: Why is a Republican taking the lead on the issue that played such a pivotal role in putting Democrats in charge of the House and Senate?

The honest answer is an unsettling one.

Right now, Hagel is sounding more realistic and responsible than most if not all of the Democrats who are positioning themselves for 2OO8 presidential runs...

This is not to say that Hagel, who entertains presidential ambitions of his own, should switch parties. He's still a domestic-policy conservative, and something of a hawk on foreign policy. Yet, he is the one saying that: "If the president fails to build a bipartisan foundation for an exit strategy, America will pay a high price for this blunder -- one that we will have difficulty recovering from in the years ahead."

If they are outflanked by Republicans like Hagel on the central issue of our time, Democrats will also pay a high price. They will lose the popular support and the moral authority that their November 7 successes gave them. And Americans, who polls show are ready for rapid withdrawal, will give their support to the leaders who are willing to say not just that it is time to bring the troops home but also, as Hagel does, that it is time for the U.S. to radically alter its approach to the Middle East.

"Leaving Iraq, Honorably"

Senator Chuck Hagel has an op-ed in the Washington Post that is well worth a read. Here is the op-ed:

Leaving Iraq, Honorably

By Chuck Hagel

Sunday, November 26, 2006; Page B07

There will be no victory or defeat for the United States in Iraq. These terms do not reflect the reality of what is going to happen there. The future of Iraq was always going to be determined by the Iraqis -- not the Americans.

Iraq is not a prize to be won or lost. It is part of the ongoing global struggle against instability, brutality, intolerance, extremism and terrorism. There will be no military victory or military solution for Iraq. Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger made this point last weekend.

The time for more U.S. troops in Iraq has passed. We do not have more troops to send and, even if we did, they would not bring a resolution to Iraq. Militaries are built to fight and win wars, not bind together failing nations. We are once again learning a very hard lesson in foreign affairs: America cannot impose a democracy on any nation -- regardless of our noble purpose.

We have misunderstood, misread, misplanned and mismanaged our honorable intentions in Iraq with an arrogant self-delusion reminiscent of Vietnam. Honorable intentions are not policies and plans. Iraq belongs to the 25 million Iraqis who live there. They will decide their fate and form of government.

It may take many years before there is a cohesive political center in Iraq. America's options on this point have always been limited. There will be a new center of gravity in the Middle East that will include Iraq. That process began over the past few days with the Syrians and Iraqis restoring diplomatic relations after 20 years of having no formal communication.

What does this tell us? It tells us that regional powers will fill regional vacuums, and they will move to work in their own self-interest -- without the United States. This is the most encouraging set of actions for the Middle East in years. The Middle East is more combustible today than ever before, and until we are able to lead a renewal of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, mindless destruction and slaughter will continue in Lebanon, Israel and across the Middle East.

We are a long way from a sustained peaceful resolution to the anarchy in Iraq. But this latest set of events is moving the Middle East in the only direction it can go with any hope of lasting progress and peace. The movement will be imperfect, stuttering and difficult.

America finds itself in a dangerous and isolated position in the world. We are perceived as a nation at war with Muslims. Unfortunately, that perception is gaining credibility in the Muslim world and for many years will complicate America's global credibility, purpose and leadership. This debilitating and dangerous perception must be reversed as the world seeks a new geopolitical, trade and economic center that will accommodate the interests of billions of people over the next 25 years. The world will continue to require realistic, clear-headed American leadership -- not an American divine mission.

The United States must begin planning for a phased troop withdrawal from Iraq. The cost of combat in Iraq in terms of American lives, dollars and world standing has been devastating. We've already spent more than $300 billion there to prosecute an almost four-year-old war and are still spending $8 billion per month. The United States has spent more than $500 billion on our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And our effort in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, partly because we took our focus off the real terrorist threat, which was there, and not in Iraq.

We are destroying our force structure, which took 30 years to build. We've been funding this war dishonestly, mainly through supplemental appropriations, which minimizes responsible congressional oversight and allows the administration to duck tough questions in defending its policies. Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibility in the past four years.

It is not too late. The United States can still extricate itself honorably from an impending disaster in Iraq. The Baker-Hamilton commission gives the president a new opportunity to form a bipartisan consensus to get out of Iraq. If the president fails to build a bipartisan foundation for an exit strategy, America will pay a high price for this blunder -- one that we will have difficulty recovering from in the years ahead.

To squander this moment would be to squander future possibilities for the Middle East and the world. That is what is at stake over the next few months.

The writer is a Republican senator from Nebraska.

Comments around the blogosphere about Senator Hagel's op-ed

Here are a couple of posts about Senator Hagel's op-ed that were worth sharing. Please email me if you see others as well.

The excellent blogger Extreme Mortman, who I highly recommend, posted this about the op-ed:

Hagel blasting Iraq policy isn’t newsworthy, of course. What is significant about this piece is that he doesn’t name any member of the Bush Administration. He says “we” 12 times — but never mentions President Bush.

Perhaps this line will be his rallying cry for his presidential campaign: “Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibility in the past four years.”

Another blogger, Just Dahlia, had this to say:

In this already-started presidential election season, it is often hard to find anyone who not only knows what they are talking about, but also respects voter intellect. Chuck Hagel is that kind of guy...Originally an economist, my inclination is to reach for a Republican answer, but when they went off the reservation with W, one had no choice but to go left. Hagel offers a hope.... He has a moral center that is informed and he does not fear speaking his mind.

I was elated this morning when I opened the Post and saw that he had an opinion piece. I read it with excited anticipation, wanting to know what would make this mind speak out... and I was not disappointed.

How often have we heard a Republican senator (other than Lincoln Chafee) point to Iraq as a colossal mistake? More interesting, he reminds us that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. In other words, "America cannot impose a democracy on any nation..." He chastises the policy of the US for taking its eye off the ball. "And our effort in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, partly because we took our focus off the real terrorist threat which was there, and not in Iraq." Not that it actually matters, but that is coming from a Vietnam vet.

For those who wonder why we even bother to have a Congress in view of its rubber stamp status these past years, Hagel seems to agree. After funding over $500 billion in Iraq and Afghanistan "dishonestly, mainly through supplemental appropriations," it is time for Congress to fulfill its obligation. As Hagel states, "Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibility in the past four years."

That is refreshing! Now, how can we get him to run??

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, Iraq

Post Election Analysis

2008 Presidential Forum provided one interesting take on the impact of the 2006 election results. Here are some excerpts:

Chuck Hagel is definitely an interesting choice now. Like Gingrich, he had a gravitas with the pro-business crowd. He appeals to intellectual conservatives and comes from a relatively Red state...However, a door has definitely swung open for Hagel, and if he makes the most of it, he can become a top candidate for the GOP. Dont be surprised if you seem him making the Fox News circuit repeatedly.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there from the Draft Hagel movement.

"More 2008 White House Contenders Ready to Pounce"

FOXNews has a piece on the 2008 race that had some interesting tidbits to it. Here is what I found most interesting:

Advisers for Hagel say he is likely to jump into the 2008 presidential race, although he has told supporters his decision will not be final until January. That decision, aides say, also is to include whether he would run for re-election to the Senate. His Senate term ends in 2008.

Hagel has said he will not "play coy" by filing first with an exploratory committee, but rather will say outright if he is running.

Hagel has not campaigned as aggressively as other Republican candidates like McCain or Romney, but has been clear about his presidential ambitions. For the election season that just ended, Hagel spent more time stumping for candidates than in any prior campaign, and has begun building support networks in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — the crucial primary states.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, President, FOX News

"New Hampshire open to Hagel bid"

There's another good piece in the Lincoln JournalStar by Don Walton. The article he quotes and refers to is here at the Concord Monitor. Here is a section from Walton's piece:

New Hampshire beckons.

Its curtain-raising 2008 Republican presidential primary is wide open, the Concord Monitor suggested in an editorial last week.

“And we’ll see if Sen. Chuck Hagel, the potential GOP candidate most helped by last Tuesday’s spurning of the Bush war policy, can light a spark,” the newspaper stated.

Hagel hasn’t even decided yet whether to strike the match, but a decision is coming in January or shortly thereafter.

A little pre-primary primer from the Monitor, the moderate newspaper voice in New Hampshire:

* Independent voters may choose either the Republican or Democratic ballot and can be the decisive factor, as they were in 2000 when they flocked to John McCain.

* McCain, who has veered away from the role of “maverick truth-teller” and is a supporter of the war, is not the McCain of 2000.

* Charisma counts, and Rudy Giuliani could catch a Republican wave.

* “The personal connection still matters most in New Hampshire,” where candidates must make their pitch and answer questions in living rooms, diners and town hall gatherings.

Lesson: If you want to win New Hampshire, you have to come. And return. And return. And return.

Press Release: "Hagel Praises Paulson Remarks on Excessive Regulation"

Senator Hagel's office put out this press release yesterday:

Hagel Praises Paulson Remarks on Excessive Regulation

November 20th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, released the following statement today regarding remarks given by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to the Economic Club of New York warning against excessive regulation in capital markets:

“Secretary Paulson’s remarks today warning against excessive regulation shows a critical understanding of what will be required for America to remain competitive in the 21st Century. One of the most important requirements for a company in today’s modern economy is access to capital through the financial markets.

“We can’t let the cost of doing business in the U.S. become so onerous and burdensome that we drive investors and capital offshore. Our markets are the best in the world. We need to make sure the world continues to have confidence in our markets. But there are ominous signs of erosion in America’s capital markets. For example, in 2001, 59% of all global international Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) were listed in New York and 9% in London. In 2006, only about 6% of all global IPOs were listed in New York and 25% in London. Since the end of 2004, 30 foreign companies have left the NYSE and Nasdaq. In 2005, only one out of the world’s top 24 IPOs was registered in the U.S.

“I appreciate Secretary Paulson’s leadership on this issue. It will be critically important as the new Congress addresses these 21st Century market issues. The U.S. has paid little attention to trade and these big economic and competitive issues over the last few years.”

CQ Politics take on the 2008 Candidates

CQ Politics has done a nice look at the 2008 contenders. What does everyone think of their take on Senator Hagel?

Here is their take on Chuck Hagel:

Chuck Hagel — Senior Senator, Nebraska

Rationale: Call him the new John McCain. With two Purple Hearts earned as an Army infantryman in Vietnam and cozy relations with the press corps, Hagel comes across as the Republican maverick that McCain once was — before he began courting President Bush and the party’s conservative wing. Early on, Hagel was a rare GOP voice in opposition to Bush’s handling of the Iraq War. He did not let up, despite extreme pressure from party leaders to cool it. As a result, he is a favorite Republican to many Democrats. But he is no wild-eyed liberal, having once voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade protection of a woman’s right to an abortion. For a presidential campaign, geography favors him: His home in Omaha is practically within walking distance of Iowa.

Resources: With just over $1 million raised by his political action committee during the 2006 cycle, Hagel shows no signs of being a campaign-finance powerhouse. He easily won re-election in 2002 with a modest $1.6 million in campaign funds. Chances are that if Bush and his friends have anything to say about it, Hagel will not be tapping a lot of traditional GOP resources. He has been a thorn in the president’s side, and payback is probably on its way.

Hobby Horse: For Hagel, the word is maverick. In an era when voters are disgusted with blind partisanship, he is about as independent as they come. Like McCain and Rudolph Giuliani, his best argument to Republican primary voters is that he could appeal to a wide swath of general-election voters.

Hobble Horse: Plenty of GOP conservatives would rather set themselves on fire than see Hagel win the Republican nomination. They see his persistent criticism of the Iraq War as treason within his party, if not to the nation as a whole.

More on-line 2008 polls

In addition to this list of polls you can vote in, there is a site, Mister Poll, that has a number of 2008 polls. Here are some where you can go and vote for Hagel:

The ULTIMATE 2008 Election Smackdown!
Presumptive 2008 Republican Primary Candidates
The Most Complete 2008 Poll on This Site
2008 Election
Presidential Election 2008 Nominees
Vote for 2008 Presidential Election

Hagel wins on-line poll

Chuck Hagel has won the poll for the Republican nomination for President in the Politics One on One poll! Be sure to keep voting in all the other on-line polls out there.

"Libertarian swing vote backs Chuck Hagel for President"

There is a great post titled "Libertarian swing vote backs Chuck Hagel for President" over at Divided We Stand United We Fall that is worth a read. Here is an excerpt from it:

The animus against Chuck Hagel in the ragged right of the Republican party is real and significant. I don't get it. Look at his record, and you see a bona fide fiscal conservative, a social conservative, a successful entrepreneur, a limited government Republican in the Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater tradition and a decorated Vietnam war combat veteran. He is tough on crime, strong on defense, pro-gun with an "A" rating from the NRA, supports low taxes and limited spending, was rated a "Taxpayers Friend" by the NTU, is pro-business with an 87% rating from the US Chamber of Commerce, and even secured a 0% rating from NARAL indicating a perfect pro-life voting record.
...
This is my question for conservatives and the"Republicans blogging for the minority" that are particpating in this poll: On exactly what issues do you disagree with Chuck Hagel's positions? Excluding the fact that you will not find his lip prints on GWB's butt, he is a perfect conservative candidate. For all except the 31% of the electorate that still thinks Bush is doing a good job, Hagel's demonstrated independence from this administration makes him more electable in '08. If Bush had been listening to Chuck Hagel over the last four years, as opposed to Cheney and Rumsfeld, we would probably have a successful policy in Iraq, and the Republicans would still have a majority in Congress.

Net net - We have a candidate here who is a bona fide, high integrity conservative, who can retrieve the libertarian swing vote, might even pull in Democrats like Reagan did, and would certainly retain the White House for Republicans. And what is the only objection from the right? He is not a team player with the most unpopular President of the last 70 years. Good strategic thinking. Just the kind of thinking that will elect a Democrat for president in 2008.

Senator Hagel speaks at the CATO Institute

Senator Hagel will address the CATO Institute Tuesday, Nov. 14th in New York City. The details are here.

On Thursday, Senator Hagel will address GOPAC, a conservative group in D.C. Here are details about this event.

Keep voting

Keep voting in the 2008 on-line polls.

In the Politics One on One poll Senator Hagel is in the hunt to win the poll, so be sure to vote in it if you haven't already.

Here's another poll at the Republican 2008 Yahoo Group.
And another at The Next Prez
And at The Krusty Konservative
And at We the People
And at GOP Bloggers
And at StrawPoll08

Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to everyone. Be sure to thank a vet today.












Images of Senator Hagel in Vietnam

A great article about Chuck Hagel and 2008

Don Walton of the Lincoln JournalStar has written another great piece about Chuck Hagel. Please read the full article, as it is well worth it. Here is an excerpt from it:

But the political environment he’s always said he would need to have any shot at the GOP presidential nomination fell into place Tuesday.

If voters had expressed contentment with the status quo and current Republican leadership, there would be no opening for Hagel.

On the contrary, voters said no to both.

On top of that, national opinion about the war in Iraq is moving to the place where Hagel always has been.

Suddenly, the environment has become more open and friendly. Still treacherous, daunting, steeply uphill for a Republican whose criticism of Iraq policy has outraged his party’s right wing. But more welcoming now.

Nevertheless, when a decision rests so much on personal considerations — a presidential bid would swallow up his life for a year or two — a friendlier environment doesn’t necessarily mean Hagel will take the plunge.

Senator Hagel Thinking About 2008

The Omaha World-Herald had a piece yesterday on Senator Hagel titled "Hagel is still weighing bid for President" that shed a little light on the Senator's thinking.

A day after Republicans were snubbed in elections nationwide, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel said a possible White House bid remains in the picture.

"I'm seriously evaluating it, as I have been," he said.

Wednesday marked the unofficial start for those who may run for president in 2008, Hagel among them.

"I suspect there are many potential presidential candidates who are giving a new, elevated sense of evaluation," the Republican senator said. "I suspect most will come to decisions early next year."

That's his time frame, too.

"I will announce what I intend to do regarding my political future sometime early next year."

Thanks to Aaron for the heads up on the article.

Be sure to check out the post from earlier this week on what we can do now to help make a possible Hagel run at the White House possible.

Press release on the Nomination of Robert Gates

Here is a press release from Senator Hagel's office:

Hagel Statement on the Nomination of Robert Gates to be Defense Secretary

November 8th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) released the following statement today regarding President Bush’s nomination of Robert Gates to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense:

“I’ve known Bob Gates for many years. President Bush has made an excellent choice for this critically important position. Bob Gates is qualified, competent and experienced. I believe the Senate will quickly confirm him. We need to get him on the job as soon as possible.”

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Robert Gates, Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld

GOP Bloggers 2008 Straw Poll

Go and vote Hagel in GOP Bloggers newest 2008 poll.

What we can do now to support Hagel in '08

Here are a few things that people can do now to help make the road to the White House a possibility for Chuck Hagel.

One of the key things that must be done is networking. A grassroots movement is being built and it needs to grow. To further that, fill out the form on the right hand side of this page. Also, join one of the Chuck Hagel for President groups (Chuck Hagel 2008 Google Group, Hagel for President, Missouri for Hagel, South Carolina for Hagel , Chuck Hagel Myspace Group, and the one at Facebook).

A key element is simply spreading the word. Talk to people about Chuck Hagel and discuss why he will make a great President. You'd be amazed at how much impact just talking to people has.

Also, buy merchandise and get his name and the idea of him running for President into people's heads. At this point getting people to think about the possibility is critical. Also, getting those people that are likely to volunteer on a campaign or donate money to think about Hagel for President is important, as they are more likely to be thinking about it earlier than your average voter.

One more way that you can help Chuck Hagel on the road to the White House is to donate money. Two ways to do this are to donate to his PAC, and/or to his Senate campaign. Any money in his Senate campaign can be transferred to a Presidential campaign.

Another thing that people can do is drive the Internet Buzz surrounding Chuck Hagel. There are numerous ways to do this. Everyone can vote for Chuck Hagel in online polls. Also, everyone can comment on blogs, expressing their support for Senator Hagel. If you have a website or blog, add a banner or a link to this site (http://hagel2008.blogspot.com) and others that support Chuck Hagel. If you have a blog, post about Chuck Hagel.

If anyone has other ideas, please share them.

Today begins the 2008 race in earnest

Today the 2008 race for the White House kicks into high gear. There are lots of possible candidates that have expressed interest but have not declared their candidacy, but that will change soon.

The best person for the job, though, is U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Chuck Hagel one of the Senate's most respected voices on foreign policy, something that will be critically important in the 2008 race. He has executive experience in the business world and an amazing resume. Senator Hagel is a veteran who fought bravely in Vietnam.

Senator Hagel is a fiscal and social conservative who can lead the Republican party back to its roots. He is a conservative with crossover appeal to independants and respected by many, regardless of political affiliation.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, President

History News Network - "Is Chuck Hagel The GOP's Best Hope To Hold the White House?"

There is an excellent post over at the History News Network tha sums up a sentiment we will be hearing often in the near future:

After their well-deserved electoral beating, the Republicans might finally begin some soul searching on their present course. They may event take a second look at the presidential campaign of Senator Chuck Hagel .

A Vietnam veteran and pioneer in the celllular phone industry, Hagel has long been a thoughtful Iraq War skeptic. His free market credentials are pretty solid (for a Republican), especially when compared to Gulliani, McCain, and Mitt "government mandated insurance" Romney.

Will the GOP turn to Senator Hagel? I certainly hope so.

Vote!

Vote!
Today is Election Day in the United States. Be sure to vote.

Two items for today

First, go and vote Hagel in a new 2008 poll at Politics One on One. There's also a few 2008 straw polls at the aptly titled Straw Poll 08.

Second, be sure to vote tomorrow. Here is a list of the candidates that Senator Hagel's PAC has supported this election season. Take a look at it and vote for these fine candidates if you have the opportunity.

Technorati tags: 2008 Poll, 2006 Election

Dakota County GOP Breakfast on Sunday

Chuck Hagel has been working hard to help Republicans (particularly in Nebraska) this election season. An event Sunday morning is just another example of that. Here are the details:

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. - The Dakota County GOP will host its biennial pancake breakfast from 8 a.m.- noon, Nov. 5 at the South Sioux City Senior High School. Local, state and federal candidates will attend. Those members include:

Candidates for local offices: Fred Denker, County Commissioner Candidate; William Rohde, County Commissioner Candidate; Ted Piepho, County Clerk; Mary Goodman-Gamble, Clerk of District Court Candidate; Ed Matney, County Attorney; James Wagner, Sheriff

State officers and candidates: Governor Dave Heineman; Attorney General Jon Bruning; Secretary of State John Gale; State Auditor candidate Mike Foley; State Treasurer candidate Shane Osborn

Federal officers and candidates: U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel; U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry; U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ricketts

For information, contact Jonathan Johansen at 494-8160.

From the Sioux City Journal.

Senator Hagel's talk at UNL

Senator Hagel spoke at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln yesterday. The JournalStar covered the event:

The United States needs to reach bipartisan agreement after this month’s election on a new plan that will “start moving America out of Iraq,” Sen. Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

“We need to build some bipartisan consensus very quickly (to) develop a new strategy, a new direction,” Hagel told University of Nebraska-Lincoln students.

That strategy must continue to include working with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people, he said, but also should involve regional powers.

You can also read about the event at the Daily Nebraskan.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Iraq, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Hagel talk tomorrow at Nebraska Wesleyan University

Tomorrow Senator Hagel will be at Nebraska Wesleyan University to speak at an event that is free and open to the public. Here is the press release from the school.

SENATOR HAGEL TO DISCUSS LEADERSHIP AT WESLEYAN LECTURE

LINCOLN, Neb.— Nebraska Wesleyan University students will get a lesson on leadership from Senator Chuck Hagel when he visits the campus on November 2.

Hagel’s presentation is the inaugural lecture for the Senator Carl T. Curtis and Mildred M. Curtis Lecture on Public Leadership. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. in O’Donnell Auditorium, located at 50th Street and Huntington Avenue in Lincoln. A reception will follow the presentation.

The Senator Carl T. Curtis and Mildred M. Curtis Lecture on Public Leadership was established last year to honor the late senator and to explore aspects of public and civic leadership. Curtis served in the House of Representatives for 16 years and the United States Senate for 24 years. The Minden native was best known as a fiscal conservative who warned about the dangers of deficit spending and was instrumental in introducing legislation that created individual retirement accounts. Hagel currently holds the Senate seat once held by Curtis.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

The annoucement can be found here at the school's website.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Leadership, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Vote at The Next Prez

Head over to The Next Prez and vote Hagel in their new monthly 2008 poll.

Senator Hagel to be at the University of Nebraska Lincoln on Wednesday

Senator Hagel will be at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln tomorrow (Wednesday) according to this report:

Sen. Chuck Hagel will be at the Nebraska Union Auditorium on Wednesday at 11 a.m. He will be signing copies of the book that UNL news-editorial professor Charlyne Berens wrote about Hagel.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Book Signing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Focus on the 2006 elections

Chuck Hagel and his PAC (Sandhills) have been focusing on the 2006 election and working to get Republicans elected, and particularly has been focused on the U.S. Senate. These are the candidates for the U.S. Senate that Senator Hagel's PAC has given money to for this election.

National Republican Senatorial Committee $30,000

Senator Mike DeWine	$10,000
Senator Rick Santorum	$10,000
Senator Jim Talent	$10,000
Senator Conrad Burns	$10,000
Senator Lincoln Chafee	$10,000
Senator George Allen	$10,000
Senator Jon Kyl	$10,000
Representative Mark Kennedy (MN Senate Candidate)	$10,000

Mr. John Raese (WV Senate Candidate)	$5,000
Mr. Pete Ricketts (NE Senate Candidate)	$10,000

Mr. Mike McGavick (WA Senate Candidate)	$10,000
Senator Olympia Snowe	$5,000

Senator John Ensign	$5,000
The Honorable Bob Corker (TN Senate Candidate)	$5,000

The Honorable Michael Steele (MD Senate Candidate)	$10,000
The Honorable Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ Senate Candidate)	$10,000

Former Senator Bob Kerrey on Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward

“After reading Charlyne Berens’s very thorough study of Chuck Hagel, I am more than ever proud to call this fearless, outspoken, passionate, and principled man ‘friend.’ Choosing conscience over conformity, he represents the best of bipartisanship and patriotism.”

—Bob Kerrey, President of The New School and former U.S. Senator

Vote Hagel on-line

A great blog, WeThePeople, has just added Senator Chuck Hagel to its 2008 poll. Go forth and vote Hagel. Thanks to Charles Amico (who writes the blog) for the heads up.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008, We The People

Hagel book event tomorrow in Omaha

UNP Salon for New Chuck Hagel Biography

UNP Salon

Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward

October 26, 2006, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Joslyn Castle

3902 Davenport Street

Omaha, Nebraska

Event with the author of the book, Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward, and other panelists. It is free and open to the public.

Technorati tags: Senator Chuck Hagel, Charlyne Berens

Esquire Magazine: Nine Pillars of Congress

The latest issue of Esquire Magazine listed who it saw as the nine pillars of Congress, and Chuck Hagel is at the top of their list (literally). This quote is via Don Walton in the Journal Star.

Esquire Magazine, listing Chuck Hagel as one of its nine pillars of Congress: “The kind of Republican every Republican should aspire to be. Scratch that. The kind of senator every senator should aspire to be. Independent, thoughtful and big enough to see the virtue in the arguments of his opponents. A classic, limited-government, low-tax conservative.”

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Congress, Esquire Magazine

Groups growing

The Chuck Hagel for President in 2008 Google Group has been active lately with some good discussion. Likewise, the Chuck Hagel for President 2008 facebook group has been growing quickly. Feel free to join in on these two (and other related) groups.

A New Direction for U.S. Foreign Policy

A new poll shows that most Americans want a change in U.S. foreign policy. In 2008 the citizens of the United States will still be calling for the repair of our standing in the world. Chuck Hagel is the best person to do just that.

The full article about the poll is quite interesting and enlightening. Check it out.

Seven in Ten Americans Favor Congressional Candidates Who Will Pursue a Major Change in Foreign Policy

U.S. Public Wants Less Emphasis on Military Force, More on Working Through U.N.

A Majority Supports Direct Talks with North Korea and Iran

Going into the November midterm elections, seven in ten Americans say they prefer Congressional candidates who will pursue a new approach to U.S. foreign policy. A new nationwide survey finds a large and growing majority of Americans is dissatisfied with the position of the United States in the world. Most Americans believe that U.S. policies are increasing the threat of terrorist attack and decreasing goodwill toward the United States.

The Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA)/Knowledge Networks poll also finds that large majorities of Americans feel that the United States puts too much emphasis on military force and unilateral action. Most say they want their member of Congress to work to shift the emphasis of U.S. foreign policy in favor of diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and homeland security.

They also stress the need for programs to reduce the United States’ dependence on oil. When given the opportunity to reshape the foreign policy budget, respondents redistribute spending from military programs to other methods of pursuing security.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, Foreign Policy

Hagel '08 Merchandise from around the Web

It's been a while since I last posted about where you can find Chuck Hagel for President merchandise from various sites on the internet. Here are some of them:

http://www.republicansource.com/hagel.htm
http://www.cafepress.com/politicalpickle/1531463
http://www.cafepress.com/mypresident2008/749233

There is a more complete listing from an older post here.

Interesting side note

There was a post at Cheap Tricks which had an entertaining observation:

"Chuck Hagel is a badass"

No context in that post for it, just an observation.

Senator Hagel's Upcoming Talk in New York

Chuck Hagel will be speaking at the Oxonian Society in Manhattan on October 26, 2006 from 8 to 9 A.M.

Senator Chuck Hagel, is a leading senator and political maverick. He is considered to be one of the top contenders for the Republican Party’s nomination for the President of the United States for the 2008 election.

For more details, click here. The last day to register is 10/24/2006.

"The Next President of the United States"

Here is an interesting take on the 2008 Presidential election titled "The Next President of the United States." It's from last year, but the reasoning is quite solid.

The American people are rejecting the Bush Administration by ever-increasing percentages. That may be good news -- for the GOP. As leading Democrats stumble toward a mythical "center" in search of votes, one smart Senator is showing how a conservative Republican can win in '08. Meet the next President of the United States: Chuck Hagel.

Call it Bush Fatigue, and it's driven by two factors. The first is a widespread perception that Iraq was a mistake. Only 44% of Americans think we did the right thing by invading, yet leading Democrats still refuse to argue against the rationale for war. The second is the growing understanding that the Administration is rife with incompetence and cronyism. Democrats are waiting for this issue to turn voters their way, but incompetence and cronyism are behaviors, not policy positions. A candidate from either party can claim he'll do better.

Which brings us to Chuck Hagel. A staunch conservative, he's a media-savvy former broadcaster, a decorated Vietnam veteran with an entrepreneurial background. Despite his right-wing background and his past loyalty to the Bush crowd, he's been bashing their management of the war for some time now. He never hesitates to point out to reporters that this makes him a "maverick." And, as a former businessman, he can present himself as the honest and competent "CEO President" we were promised with Bush.

Following Bill Clinton's lead, none of the top Democratic candidates seem to be brave and honest enough to say what the American people already know: the war was a mistake sold on lies. Faced with two candidates who say that the only problem with Iraq is poor management, who are the voters going to trust: the armchair quarterback or the decorated veteran? And who inspires more confidence on the competence question: the ex-CEO "straight-shooter" with a logically consistent position, or the career politician from the "I-voted-for-it-before-I ..." crowd?

Chuck Hagel's conservative enough to make it through the reactionary hazing of the GOP primaries, yet able to stake out a position as an anti-Bush. The Democrats seem to be deluding themselves again into thinking that events will do for them what they can't do for themselves. While they wait expectantly, one Republican senator is walking down the road to the White House.

If Hagel's the Ghost of Presidents Future, Democrats may echo Ebenezer Scrooge's question: "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?" The answer's in their hands.

What are your thoughts on this blog post by R.J. Eskow?
Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, 2008 Election, The Next President of the United States

Hagel ad for Ricketts

Here is an ad featuring Chuck Hagel supporting Pete Ricketts for Senate.

Just another way Chuck Hagel has been working to keep the Republican party in control of the Senate.

Students for Hagel

There is a new blog in the ongoing Draft Hagel Movement. Students for Hagel announces that it is seeking contributors in its opening post early this month:

Students for Hagel is now forming. If you are a student and would like to help out in the writing of this blog, or would just like to stay informed of what we are doing, email or post a comment. We are particularly interested in getting people from around the country involved that are already involved in college (or high school) Republican groups.

Go and check it out.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Students for Hagel, Draft Hagel Movement

"Sgt. Hagel back in Saigon on 60th birthday"

Don Walton has another good article in the Lincoln Journal Star regarding Senator Hagel. The following are excepts from it.

Thirty-eight years ago, Chuck Hagel, 21, and his brother, Tom, fought in house-to-house combat in the Cholon district of Saigon during the Tet Offensive.

Last week, on his 60th birthday, Hagel returned to the scene of the battle in early 1968. And almost everything has changed.

Once a rough and poor neighborhood infested by Viet Cong, the area now is an upscale sector of the city, with high-rise apartments and shops.

The Army sergeant from Nebraska who was twice wounded later in 1968 — along with his brother both times — now is a U.S. senator serving his second term.

...
Hagel was in Vietnam last week as part of an Asian tour that also took him to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. His itinerary happened to place him in Ho Chi Minh City on his birthday.

Thirty-eight years ago, he said, “I would have thought that would be the last place I would find myself on my 60th birthday.”
...

“It reminds us how important it is to understand history and reflect on the historic dynamics and consequences of a foreign policy decision, especially one to take a nation to war,” Hagel said.

“We need to always be mindful of unintended consequences, the uncontrollables.

“Was it worth it? Was there a better way, an alternative? It’s easy to get into war, not very easy to get out of it. We’re living through that again in Iraq.”

Today, Hagel said, “the strongest argument we hear is we can’t leave Iraq. It would make a mockery of the loss of lives. The same arguments were made about Vietnam. Those reflections poured over me as I walked the streets of Saigon.”

Check out the full article here.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Don Walton, Vietnam

New GOP Bloggers 2008 Straw Poll

GOP Bloggers has their 2008 Primary Straw Poll out for October. Go and vote Hagel!

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Straw Poll, Republican

A Comment about Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward

A comment about the Hagel biography (available from Amazon at the right side of this page):

“In writing the first full-dress biography of Senator Chuck Hagel, Charlyne Berens has illuminated the experiences of a major contemporary public figure. Her honest and readable account of Hagel's personal life and career in politics is certain to be the definitive work on the subject.”

—Ross K. Baker, Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University

Hagel finishes strong in another on-line poll

The on-line 2008 Republican Presidential poll at Politics Central has ended, with Chuck Hagel finishing a close second with 19% of the votes. Senator Hagel was neck and neck for the lead at the end.

Here were the final results:
(R)John McCain 20%
(R)Chuck Hagel 19%
(R)Rudolph Giuliani 13%
(R)George Allen 8%
(R)Mitt Romney 5%
(R)Condi Rice 5%
(R)Sam Brownback 4%
(R)Mike Huckabee 4%
(R)Newt Gingrich 3%
(R)Bill Frist 3%
(R)George Pataki 1%
None of The Above 16%