Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The Draft Hagel movement issues press release

PRESS RELEASE - For immediate release


DRAFT HAGEL '08 MOVEMENT SAYS RUN, CHUCK, RUN!


Historical Opportunity Is at Hand for Nebraska U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel

Citing draft movements that have succeeded in encouraging politicians to run for office, including the first President of this nation, George Washington, and the thirty-fourth President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, backers of a "Draft Hagel '08" movement say that momentum is building for a Chuck Hagel candidacy.

"The party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan needs to come together again for a candidate who can take the Democrats' chief issue against the GOP away from them--the war in Iraq," said the group’s Chairman. "Nobody has asked more intelligent and searching questions about this war than Chuck Hagel, and this, combined with his Vietnam combat experience, gives him standing with a broad cross-section of the American voting public."

The group states, "At this time in our country's history, we need a leader who will guide our nation into the 21st century. We need a leader who understands that America is a nation of millions, not a few; that our foreign policy determines our standing in the world; and that our democracy depends on discussion, debate, and accountability. We admire Senator Hagel's service to his country and greatly appreciate that he speaks for its people. For these reasons, we strongly encourage Senator Chuck Hagel to run for President in 2008!"

Hagel has a natural appeal to the Republican Party's conservative base. A U.S. Senator from the nation's heartland, Hagel has top conservative rankings for his support on traditional values and fiscal responsibility. His supporters say that the two-term Senator is the one candidate who can bridge the divide between the social and economic conservatives in the modern Republican Party. Also, his pragmatic approach to politics makes him a conservative with crossover appeal, with support from many independents and Democrats. Senator Hagel has always practiced civility in politics, something that the electorate has increasingly called for following the 2006 election.

While serving in the Senate, Chuck Hagel has become one of the most prominent voices on foreign policy in the nation. He has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since entering office in 1997. Senator Hagel has a long history of leadership and experience in business, as well. In his business career prior to entering politics, Chuck Hagel was the President and CEO of multiple companies, providing him with critical executive experience.

"More people are beginning to realize that the best candidate the Republican Party has to offer is not yet in this race," said the movement’s Chairman. "But we hope to change that by not only urging Senator Hagel to get in this contest but also by educating the American people about this extraordinary leader, who has proven he will stand up for the will of the American people.”

To show your support, sign the petition to encourage Senator Hagel to run for President in 2008 by visiting the “Draft Hagel ‘08” website at http://www.drafthagel08.com/.

For more information, contact:

Jeremy Mullen

General Inquiries: press@drafthagel08.com

END
http://www.drafthagel08.com/pdfdocs/PR_02-28-07.pdf

"Hagel Statement on Announcement that the U.S., Iran and Syria will Attend Talks in Baghdad"

Chuck Hagel has been urging the President and his administration to engage Iraq's neighbors (particularly Iran and Syria) for three years now. The Iraq Study Group Report released at the end of last year said the same thing. It looks like the President has listened. Here is the press release from Chuck Hagel's Senate website:
Hagel Statement on Announcement that the U.S., Iran and Syria will Attend Talks in Baghdad

February 27th, 2007 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Iraqi Foreign Minister announced today that Iran and Syria will join U.S. and British envoys at a meeting in Baghdad next month to seek ways to stabilize Iraq. U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has repeatedly called for regional talks to address the situation in Iraq. Hagel released the following statement today in reaction to the announcement:

“This is an important diplomatic initiative taken by the Iraqi government. We will not achieve peace and stability in Iraq without a regional framework that includes Iran and Syria. This conference can be an important first step towards creating that framework,” Hagel said.

USA Today article

There's was an article in the USA Today a couple of days ago about Chuck Hagel.
"If I decide to get into this, I would run not just to make a statement," Hagel, 60, said in an interview last week.
Bottom line, if he's in, he's in to win.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Could the waiting game pay off?

Jake Thompson and Tim Elfrink have a piece in the Omaha World-Herald that makes an interesting argument: "Putting off getting into the '08 race could pay off for Hagel."
While Chuck Hagel has been contemplating whether to seek the presidency, 18 other politicians started running.

Two opted out of the race.

Two launched campaign efforts, then quit.

Still, Hagel ponders.
...
Political analysts say the delay could hurt - or help.
...
Hagel's views on the Iraq war - he supports beginning to withdraw U.S. forces this year - puts him in line with 66 percent of Americans who, polls show, oppose the war. That could be potent fuel for a campaign, Reed said.

"He'll have a lone voice on a hot issue, and that'll be the strategy," Reed said.

Hagel has waited so long now, he's reaching a point where it might make sense to hold off, perhaps until fall, said Chuck Todd, editor of the Hotline, an electronic newsletter that tracks American politics.

That would let the other candidates spend their money, knock one another around and, perhaps, wear out their welcome, Todd suggested.

"If he waits, he becomes the new flavor."
...
Hagel seems to be genuinely wrestling with the decision.

Those who have spoken with him say a big concern is the potential impact a presidential campaign would have on his wife, Lilibet, and their two teenage children.
...
He's working through other issues, too, such as weighing his ability to raise enough money for a campaign. He says he has been encouraged by what he's heard so far.

He said he won't run unless he's confident he could win, but it's even more important to him that he feels passionately about the race.

"You have to believe in something strongly enough to commit yourself to it," he said.
Could waiting pay off at this point? Vilsack just dropped out of the race due to money issues. Romney already seems to be losing his luster among the conservatives he is so actively courting. Would jumping in this early help Hagel? I know some in the draft Hagel movement have been getting impatient in waiting for him to announce his intentions, but there are opportunities and challenges for both a sooner or a later announcement.

What do you think?

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Rolla Daily News On-line Poll

Head over to The Rolla Daily News website and vote for Hagel in their on-line poll.

Friday, February 23, 2007

"Hagel Speech on U.S.-Iran Relations at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Conference on World Affairs"

Senator Hagel gave a speech on Iran yesterday that is well worth a read. Reading this speech reminded me why I do this blog: we need Chuck Hagel, with his wisdom and insight in foreign policy, in the White House. Here are some excerpts:
Forces and events in the Middle East cannot be neatly categorized. The swirl of Middle East history creates layers upon layers of complexity. There is little transparency in the Middle East. That is a reality that is inescapable and cannot be assumed away. To ignore this reality is to risk being trapped by false choices....false choices such as the question, “which is worse – Iran with nuclear weapons or war with Iran?”
...
On Afghanistan, the United States and Iran found common interests – defeating the Taliban and Islamic radicals, stabilizing Afghanistan, stopping the opium production and flow of opium coming into Iran. From these common interests emerged common actions working toward a common purpose. It was in the interests of Iran to work with the U.S. in Afghanistan. It was not a matter of helping America or strengthening America’s presence in Central Asia. It was a clear-eyed and self-serving action for Iran.
...
Two-thirds of Iran’s population is under the age of 30. Iran is undergoing a generational shift that will shape Iran’s outlook...and its opinions of the United States...for decades to come. Iran’s young people use the internet in large numbers, wear American jeans, listen to American music and are positive about America and the West. We do not want to lose this pro-American generation by turning them away from us. They are the hope of Iran. They bristle under the heavy yoke of the Ayatollahs’ strident limitations of personal freedom.
...
it was President Reagan who, in 1986, almost reached an agreement with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to abolish nuclear weapons. President Reagan understood the need for America to engage...to understand our friends and our adversaries...to explore our options...to identify common interests. President Reagan understood that great powers engage because they are secure in their beliefs and purpose but humble and wise in their policies and actions.
...
We are living today at an historic transformational time in history. The great challenges of the 21st century will require U.S. leadership that is trusted and respected, not feared nor resented. America cannot project only military power. Inspirational leadership and confidence in America's purpose, not imposed power, will be essential for world peace. If we fail, we will lose the next generation in Iran and around the world. This would result in a far more dangerous world than any we have ever known.
The full text is available on his Senate website.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Concord Monitor Article

There's an article by Meg Heckman out today in the Concord Monitor about Chuck Hagel in 2008. It looks at a possible Hagel campaign from a New Hampshire point of view. Take a look.
State Sen. Bob Odell averages a phone call a day from someone curious about his old friend Chuck Hagel. Maybe they saw him on the Sunday morning talk shows, decrying President Bush's latest plan for Iraq, or perhaps they like his ideas about reducing the federal deficit.

Whatever spurs them to call, their question is usually the same: Is Hagel running for president?

Yeah, we wonder about that here too.

Oh, yeah. Did I mention that this blog gets a mention in the article?

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Is he going to run?

We're still waiting to know whether or not Chuck Hagel will run for President (hence our efforts to convince him to run). It looks like we'll be waiting at least a few more days, according to this short article out today in the OWH.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

"Chuck Hagel's Future: All Options on the Table"

There is a good piece ("Chuck Hagel's Future: All Options on the Table") at The Washington Note by Steven C. Clemons that's worth a read. Check it out. One of the topics that is addressed is some "informed gossip" about Chuck Hagel's thinking about 2008.

Video of Hagel on Meet the Press

You can see the video of Senator Hagel on Meet the Press from this morning on MSNBC's site.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

One year anniversary

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of this blog.

The grassroots effort has expanded dramatically in the last year, with blogs and groups joining the effort and the Draft Hagel 08 site coming on-line most recently. Thanks to everyone that has gotten involved and to everyone that has visited this site since it began a year ago.

Book deal reported

Chuck Hagel has agreed to write a book. The Beatrice Daily Sun has the story:

Sen. Chuck Hagel, a possible 2008 presidential candidate, will pen a book this year about the United States' future, his spokesman said Friday.

The Nebraska Republican has reached an agreement on a book deal with Ecco, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.

Hagel, 60, expects to sign a contract soon, spokesman Mike Buttry said. The Vietnam veteran will write the book this year, and it is planned for publication next winter, Buttry said, which could put it on bookshelves in the heart of the 2008 presidential primary season.

The book deal has nothing to do with Hagel's possible presidential campaign, Buttry said. Hagel has said he will decide early this year whether or not to run. He has not yet reached a decision, Buttry said Friday.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Chuck Hagel will be on Meet the Press this Sunday

Senator Hagel will be on Meet the Press this Sunday. Check your local listings for time and channel.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

"Hagel Re-Introduces Autism Resolution"

Here is a press release from Senator Hagel's office:
Hagel Re-Introduces Autism Resolution

February 13th, 2007 -
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) re-introduced a Senate Resolution today recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a brain disorder that typically affects a person’s ability to communicate effectively and form social relationships. The resolution recognizes the importance of supporting programs for increased research and improved treatment of autism, and lending support to individuals with autism and those who care for them. The resolution also designates April 2007 as “National Autism Awareness Month.”

“This resolution recognizes the importance of autism awareness. The prevalence of autism among children remains high, while the causes of autism are poorly understood and there is no cure. It is critical to support research and improve treatments of autism that will foster the health and well-being of autistic individuals,” Hagel said.

On February 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated statistics on the prevalence of autism among children. Research reveals that children with autism are more common in the communities studied than previously thought. Estimates now show autism affects an average of 1 child in 150, compared with previous estimates of 1 child in 166.

Hagel introduced this resolution in the 108th and 109th Congresses. Senators Feingold (D-WI) and Stabenow (D-MI) are co-sponsors of this resolution.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

An article and a reminder

Don't forget to check out Draft Hagel 08, a site launched two days ago. Tell your friends about it and link to it from your webpages and blogs, please.

There's an article in today's Omaha World-Herald ("Hagel says U.S. will need moral purpose in a connected world") about Chuck Hagel's speech yesterday at William and Mary College. Check it out.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Draft Hagel 08 website launched!

Today the Draft Hagel 08 website was launched. Check out the site and sign the petition.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

A few articles on last night's letter

There are a number of articles out there today about the letter from seven Senate Republicans (see the previous post for the letter).

There's one at the Washington Post. I did want to share this quote from the article:

A top Pentagon leader weighed in yesterday on the war debate and appeared to undercut the argument advanced by the White House and many GOP lawmakers that a congressional debate challenging the Bush plan would hurt troop morale.

"There's no doubt in my mind that the dialogue here in Washington strengthens our democracy. Period," Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
There are also related articles at the Lincoln Journal Star and The Omaha World-Herald.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Letter regarding the recent Iraq resolution

There has been some confusion as to why Senators Warner and Hagel (and others) voted the way they did regarding the debate over the resolutions in the Senate. Tonight there has been some light shed on that. The Washington Note as a piece on it (including a pdf of the letter) and this article covers the issue as well.

Here is the text of the letter (from The Washington Note):
February 7, 2007

The Honorable Harry Reid, Majority Leader

The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Republican Leader

The Honorable Richard Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader

The Honorable Trent Lott, Assistant Republican Leader

United States Senate -- Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Leader Reid, Leader McConnell, Senator Durbin and Senator Lott:

The war in Iraq is the most pressing issue of our time. It urgently deserves the attention of the full Senate and a full debate on the Senate floor without delay.

We respectfully advise you, our leaders, that we intend to take S. Con. Res 7 and offer it, where possible under the Standing Rules of the Senate, to bills coming before the Senate.

On January 10,2007, the President stated, with respect to his Iraq strategy, "if Members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change we will adjust." In a conscientious, respectful way, we offered our resolution consistent with the President's statement.

We strongly believe the Senate should be allowed to work its will on our resolution as well as the concepts brought forward by other Senators. Monday's procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve to go forward advocating the concepts of S. Con. Res. 7.

We will explore all of our options under the Senate procedures and practices to ensure a full and open debate on the Senate floor. The current stalemate is unacceptable to us and to the people of this country.

Sincerely,

Olympia Snowe

John Warner

Chuck Hagel

Susan Collins

Norm Coleman

Gordon Smith

George Voinovich

Interesting indeed.

Poll on U.S. Senators

Here's an interesting poll on the members of the U.S. Senate.

Here's how it works: From September 10, 2006 to July 10, 2007 readers get to vote for their favorite Senator in our exclusive Senatorial poll. The top 20 U.S. Senators that have been selected by our readers, 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans, will be in the finals, July 15, 2007 to September 10, 2007.

The U.S. Senator who receives the most votes for Integrity, Honor, Dignity and Character will receive The Most Trusted Senator Award presented by NewPoliticalReview.com. You may vote for your favorite Senator only 1 time per week.

Vote for Hagel and any other Senators you like/dislike.

Finish the sentence at The Right's Field

Over at The Right's Field, a good blog that looks at the Republican 2008 primary race, there is a poll that everyone should go and vote in. It is part way down on the left side of the page.

"Complete this sentence: Chuck Hagel is a ...."

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Video of Chuck Hagel on the Senate Floor

Here's a video of Senator Hagel from this week on the debate of the non-binding resolution. Take a look.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Profile in Courage

Joseph L. Galloway, co-author of the best-seller "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young", has an article that's worth a read: "Hagel and Webb: Two profiles in courage."

Thanks to Lee for sending me the article.

Senator Hagel at the College of William and Mary

Chuck Hagel will "be the keynote speaker at the College of William and Mary’s annual Charter Day Ceremony on Feb. 10, 2007. Hagel will be awarded an honorary degree at the ceremony."

http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=7191

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Guest Post

Today we have a guest contribution. The following is from William Reid Dalton III. He articulates his views on conservatives and why Chuck Hagel is the conservative that he wants to see elected in 2008.
I am a conservative Republican. I became a conservative Republican at the age of 10 when I heard Ronald Reagan give "the speech" on behalf of Barry Goldwater on he eve of the 1964 election. In 1970 I appeared on NBC News holding a sign reading, "Sensible Students Support Spiro". In 1972 I was a College Republican helping Jesse Helms win his first election to the U.S. Senate. In 1974 I was a Republican election judge in the Woolen Gym precinct on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, a lonely place to be a Republican that night. In 1976, I was helping Ronald Reagan come back from an unbroken string of primary defeats to win the North Carolina Presidential Primary, saving his candidacy not only for that year, but giving him the credibility to
come back and win in 1980. In 1980, I was actually on the ballot as a Republican legislative candidate running on the same ticket that sent Ronald Reagan to the White House, gave the U.S. Senate to the GOP for the first time since I had been in diapers, and helped Greensboro elect its first Republican Congressman in history. In 1982 I was parliamentarian to the North Carolina State Convention and served as Co-Chairman of the Committee that that year rewrote the Party's Plan of Organization. In 1983 I went to work as an attorney in the Reagan Administration, where I remained for three years until leaving politics and government service to enter seminary and ministry in the Presbyterian Church. In the debates that have gone on in the Presbyterian Church for these twenty years, I am known as a conservative.

George W. Bush is not a conservative. A conservative would not have exploited the nation's fear and loathing in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy to launch the specious "War on Terror", the ill-conceived and still unresolved war in Afghanistan, and the disastrous war in Iraq. This was the work of radical zealots. A real conservative would not have worked with Teddy Kennedy to muscle the "No Child Left Behind"
legislation through Congress, the worst Federal intrusion into the public schools since the 1960's, and this after two decades of running on a platform calling for the abolition of the Federal Department of Education. A real conservative would not have pushed through, by illegally breaking the rules of the Congress, an expansion of the Medicare program into prescription drug benefits, the biggest single boondoggle and entitlement program added to the government's budget since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society.

A real conservative would not arrogate powers to himself as President that have no basis in the Constitution. A real conservative would not suspend the writ of habeas corpus, arrest and hold people without warrant, without sufficient evidence of criminal activity to bring charges in Court, and search their possessions and records, their correspondence and telephone conversations without a warrant or probable cause. A real conservative would not countenance members of his Government conducting interrogations by torture of its prisoners, and then try to obscure what he is doing with tendentious opinions from a corrupt Justice Department, and attempts to avoid the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts.

A real conservative is someone like Sam Ervin, who stood up to Richard Nixon, that pseudo-conservative who corrupted the White House in the 1970's (if anyone is interested, I voted for Schmitz in 1972), and stopped that President from trampling upon the rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution. A real conservative is someone who stands up to George W. Bush, today's pseudo-conservative, when he tries to do the same and even worse.

Senator Chuck Hagel is a real conservative. He voted against expanding the powers of the U.S. Department of Education. He voted against the unconscionable unfunded expansion of the Medicare program. He has been an early and constant critic of this President's war policies, from his reckless military adventures abroad to his contemptuous disregard of the Constitutional rights of Americans at home.

Chuck Hagel and Ron Paul are the two men who are stepping up today to save the nation from the calamitous policies of the Bush Administration and to save the Republican Party from its corrupt pseudo-conservative leadership. While Representative Paul has stood valiently for his principles for thirty years inside and outside the Congress, he has been relegated to the fringe of the Party. Senator Hagel, while remaining true to himself and his conservative principles, has always maintained the reputation of a mainstream Republican, certainly much more of a mainstream Republican than John McCain, Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney. If it were not for his stand against the war noone would question either his Republican or conservative credentials. And those who oppose him on the war issue are no true conservatives. As the Republican Party wakes up to the truth of the subterfuge, fraud, and even criminal warfare that has been carried out in its name, it will turn to Chuck Hagel to save it and even carry it to victory in 2008, an achievement that would be impossible except that the Party repudiates the policy of warmongering and war profiteering with which it has been saddled for more than five years.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Generate some buzz!

Here are a couple of more ways to generate some buzz on-line:

Vote for Hagel in the on-line poll at Oval Office 2008.

The Caucus Cooler has move Hagel up in their odds ranking, so please comment on that wise decision and tell them why he should be moved up even higher.

"Health Care Commission Presents Recommendations to Hagel"

Here is a press release from Chuck Hagel's Senate office regarding the health care panel he put together last year:
February 2nd, 2007 - OMAHA, NE - The Health Care Commission empaneled by U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) today presented its recommendations for reform of America’s health care system in a press conference at Creighton University. Hagel empaneled the Commission in February of last year with a mandate to focus on developing recommendations for an accessible, affordable, sustainable and quality health care system for the 21st century. The Commission brought together key professionals and leaders from Nebraska’s and the nation’s health care fields. Hagel asked them to provide him with recommendations within a year.

“I hear about health care issues from Nebraskans every day. It is an issue that touches the lives of every American. I am grateful to these highly respected health care professionals who have volunteered their time, energy and expertise to this project over the past 11 months. I asked them to give me their most honest assessment of what should be done to reform our health care system and that is what they have done. The Commission has developed creative and important ideas to help meet America’s health care needs in the 21st century. I look forward to reviewing their recommendations and using them as a basis from which to craft legislation that I intend to introduce in this Congress,” Hagel said.

Charles Marr, founding CEO of Alegent Health in Omaha, served as the Commission’s Chairman. “I thank our talented and dedicated Commission members who have created a new vision for accessible and sustainable health care in America,” Marr said.

The Commission focused on all facets of health care, including health care costs and access to reliable health care. The Commission met eleven times in order to produce the report presented to Hagel.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

"Hagel Cosponsors Bipartisan Resolution Putting Senate on Record Opposing Additional U.S. Troops to Iraq"

Senator Hagel's office put this press release up on their site today:
February 1st, 2007 - Hagel Cosponsors Bipartisan Resolution Putting Senate on Record Opposing Additional U.S. Troops to Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) released the following statement today regarding his support for the revised Warner Resolution:

“After extensive hearings, negotiations, and debate, the Senate has taken an important step toward sending a clear bipartisan message against adding 21,500 new U.S. troops to Iraq. I have appreciated working with Senators Warner and Levin to meld our two different Congressional Resolutions into one bipartisan resolution. We approached Senator Warner several times to try and resolve the differences. Last night, we came together to produce this resolution. We have agreed to a responsible and constructive resolution that reflects America’s interests in Iraq and the Middle East.

“Next week’s debate will be important to the American people and put the Senate on record as to America’s future course in Iraq. War is the most important and serious issue Congress and the American people will ever deal with.”

Hagel big in the blogosphere in January

Senator Hagel has been a hot topic on blogs recently. He shot up in terms of coverage and that's a great thing for our grassroots efforts. Here are a couple of indicators of that.

The Next Prez looked at the number of blogs mentioning the candidates and rank ordered them. What I find even more impressive is that Chuck Hagel topped most of the candidates that announced they were running this month.
Republicans Posts
John McCain 18,724
Mitt Romney 10,660
Rudy Giuliani 6,197
Chuck Hagel 5,988
Sam Brownback 5,661
Newt Gingrich 4,695
Mike Huckabee 3,516
Ron Paul 2,891
Tom Tancredo 2,837
Duncan Hunter 2,399
George Pataki 1,207
Tommy Thompson 495
Jim Gilmore 479
John Cox 292

The leading site for tracking blogs is Technorati and here's a chart from them of Chuck Hagel in blogs in the last 30 days:

Posts that contain Chuck Hagel per day for the last 30 days.
Technorati Chart
Get your own chart!