From Straw Polls and Censures at NPR.Q: What do you think of Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's chances in the 2008 Republican presidential primaries? -- Gus Sperrazza, Washington, D.C.
A: There was a time, not long ago, where I thought that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) would not make a second bid for the nomination, and therefore Hagel, one of his key supporters from 2000, would run as the "McCain candidate." I thought that McCain's age (he'll be 69 in '08) and health (he had surgery to remove two malignant melanomas) would preclude him from running. And Hagel seemed to be following the McCain path: a Vietnam veteran, a nominal maverick with an independent streak, a conservative who schmoozes with the press and makes friends across the aisle. But everything I see tells me that McCain is making the race. And though the Arizonan may not be everybody's favorite Republican, I can't imagine Hagel jumping in as long as McCain is running.
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