"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.

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