Veterans group praises Hagel on Iraq votes

Southwest Nebraska News reports that there is a new radio ad praising Senator Hagel ("Hagel, other Republicans Commended in Radio Ads").

Major General (Ret.) John Batiste, former 1st Infantry Division commander in Iraq, life-long Republican, and advisor to VoteVets.org, is featured in a new radio ad campaign being launched today, that praises three Republicans for standing up for the troops.

Here is the text of the ad being run in Nebraska:

"I first want to thank the great state of Nebraska for standing behind our great military. When I was in uniform, my duty was to get the job done, without commenting on the policy makers in Washington. Now I'm a civilian, and pleased to thank Senator Chuck Hagel for his moral courage and standing up for our troops and military families. We're caught in the middle of a brutal civil war in Iraq, without a focused national strategy. Senator Hagel is well-informed, challenging those politicians who are breaking our great Army and Marine corps. Right now our soldiers and marines are killing and dying in Iraq, despite the fact that the Iraqis are no closer to reconciliation, and the current government is ineffective. Policy-makers need people like Senator Hagel, standing up for our troops, their families, and our national security."

There have been many veterans that have expressed their support for Senator Hagel and the trend will no doubt continue. You can listen to the ad here, or at VoteVets.org.

Hagel and Infrastructure

Senator Hagel made the news last week by calling for a new way to keep our infrastructure healthy, and it came just before the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

Hardblogger has a piece on the plan (you can see video of Senators Hagel and Dodd on Hardball here) and here is an excerpt:

Earlier on Wednesday – a few hours before the 35W bridge in Minnesota collapsed -- Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Chuck Hagel R-Neb.) introduced legislation to fix America’s road, bridges, water, and transit systems. According to the senators, the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2007 would help revitalize America’s infrastructure.
...
“We have the capacity to do it,” said Sen. Hagel. “We have the greatest economy, system, nation, people in the world. There is no challenge this country has ever failed at meeting.” (Rumors continue that Hagel may run for president as well).

NPR has an interview with Chuck Hagel on the matter as well. You can listen to it here.

Multimedia

Some audio files of Chuck Hagel:

Comments on meeting with the Japanese Ambassador
Remarks on Memorial Day
Comments on Immigration Bill

From Chuck Hagel's official Senate website

Multimedia

Here are some links to video and audio of Chuck Hagel.

C-SPAN: Road to the White House - video
ABC News - This Week - video
The Exchange - audio
Chuck Hagel's Senate Website - audio
Minnesota Public Radio - audio

If you know of other audio or video of the Senator on the web please share it in the comments.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Public Radio, Audio, Video