tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post6339874123850074109..comments2023-07-20T09:04:19.367-05:00Comments on Chuck Hagel for President in 2008: Hagel going to focus on the Senate for the time beingCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09836878883695363300noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-53942275960802972392007-03-13T11:59:00.000-05:002007-03-13T11:59:00.000-05:00Why does Thompson's potential entry matter? Unless...Why does Thompson's potential entry matter? Unless I am mistaken, Thompson is not opposed to the Iraq War.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-81734755432814097722007-03-12T15:17:00.000-05:002007-03-12T15:17:00.000-05:00Thompson's thinking about getting in wouldn't be a...Thompson's thinking about getting in wouldn't be an issue of large concern to Senator Hagel, in my opinion. If he is in, he's in because he thinks he has a shot at getting the nomination. If he thinks he can take on McCain and Rudy, Thompson is not a major concern.Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09836878883695363300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-57843591023350615492007-03-12T15:13:00.000-05:002007-03-12T15:13:00.000-05:00Fred Thompson happened over the weekend.Hagel is g...Fred Thompson happened over the weekend.<BR/><BR/>Hagel is going to take a wait and see with Thompson. If Thompson gets in, he gets Hagel's endorsement. If Thompson takes a pass, Hagel heads to Des Moines.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, if Thompson gets in and loses, especially to Guiliani, Hagel could still mount an independent anti-war conservative insurgency.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-29888934280031074712007-03-12T14:33:00.000-05:002007-03-12T14:33:00.000-05:00This news conference was so friggin' nonsensical t...This news conference was so friggin' nonsensical that one has to think it was "go" or "no go" on Friday. Something had to happen over the weekend that resulted delaying that decision for several more months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-80730028322323289622007-03-12T13:39:00.000-05:002007-03-12T13:39:00.000-05:00I have always liked and supported his stand on pol...I have always liked and supported his stand on politics. Say it like it is. But this press conference was an embarrassment to the Republicans. Why didn't he just release a statement to the media? He talked about how the people have lost trust in the government and then he pulls this stunt? I am very disappointed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-91863680125091171922007-03-12T13:30:00.000-05:002007-03-12T13:30:00.000-05:00The "announcement" was kinda like breaking up with...The "announcement" was kinda like breaking up with your girlfriend over an expensive dinner rather than over the phone. Either way, she's gonna be upset. No one who supports Hagel's positions or admires his courage was happy with today's news (or non-news).<BR/><BR/>That being said, Hagel has not closed the door on a run. In my opinion, I don't think getting in now was of any advantage. He always said he'd be in it to win it. Right now, his chances of gaining the Republican nomination are slim to none given he is wrong on the top three issues: Loyalty, loyalty and loyalty.<BR/><BR/>That could change in six months. Even if it doesn't, an independent campaign out of the gate would have much greater credibility than one born out of being rejected by your own party. And, one year from now, if the choice is Guiliani or Clinton, a Hagel candidacy could shoot to the top in the polls overnight. Add Bill Richardson to the ticket and the White House more than within reach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-41751548212631588872007-03-12T13:01:00.000-05:002007-03-12T13:01:00.000-05:00I agree with the first anonymous comment posted he...I agree with the first anonymous comment posted here - I rushed back to my desk after an early staff meeting to set up a stream and hear the announcement live. While I'll continue to follow Hagel's moves, talk to folks and show support where I can, and I did enjoy some of his comments in the questions portion of the conference, I must admit that I too am disheartened by this non-announcement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-91547596794665829742007-03-12T12:51:00.000-05:002007-03-12T12:51:00.000-05:00So Senator Hagel gets to wait and hope that the su...So Senator Hagel gets to wait and hope that the surge fails. Nice. Anti-war, anti-troop back stabbers like him won’t get the Republican nomination and if he runs as an Independent, I doubt he’ll hurt the Republican party. He may have just lost some of his media love with that stunt. Never call a press conference when a news release will do. Republicans will never elect him to anything again and he knows it, which is probably why he’ll run for President in 2008 no matter what. Nebraska isn’t going to send him back to parasite city so he’ll act like a petulant child and run just to spite Republicans. He won’t get far though because he’s so transparent people are just gonna walk on by him. However he will be the only candidate with Presidential hair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-16016884115120551552007-03-12T11:46:00.000-05:002007-03-12T11:46:00.000-05:00Hagel will never be president or even get the Repu...Hagel will never be president or even get the Republican nomination. <BR/>He is like McCain, unsupportive of his party and his President and instead of trying to work inside the party to change he runs for the TV cameras.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22609525.post-38661743414201324002007-03-12T11:08:00.000-05:002007-03-12T11:08:00.000-05:00This announcement was a real letdown. I am disappo...This announcement was a real letdown. I am disappointed in Hagel. He is the only Republican (other than Ron Paul) that I would vote for. Conservatives need Hagel to run. The Republican Party needs Hagel to run. America needs Hagel to run. I am disheartened by this NON-announcement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com