Hagel not running in 2008

Chuck Hagel has announced today that he will not be seeking a third term in the Senate and that he will not be running for Presdient.



Here is the text of Chuck Hagel's announcement today (the text from Sandhills PAC):

Hagel Announces He Will Not Seek A Third Term In Senate

OMAHA, NE – United States Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) announced this morning that he will not seek a third term in the United States Senate and does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008. Below is a text of Hagel’s remarks delivered at the Omaha Press Club:

“I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate, nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008. It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve my country and represent my fellow Nebraskans in the U.S. Senate. My family and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity and the trust placed in me by the people of Nebraska. It has enriched all of us.

I have always tried to live up to the promise I made to the people of Nebraska the day I announced my intention to seek this Senate seat. On March 30, 1995 I said, “I intend to be a Senator all Nebraskans can be proud of.” I hope I’ve done that, and made some contributions to our state and country along the way. History will sort that out.

I am proud of my Senate record and deeply grateful to all those who helped get me there and keep me there, and those who have worked so hard for the people of Nebraska—my staff. I would like to particularly thank Mike McCarthy, Ken Stinson and Lou Ann Linehan. I owe a great deal to these three individuals.

I would have been unable to do my job without the love, wise perspective and constant encouragement of my wife Lilibet, my daughter Allyn and my son Ziller. My appreciation for their support is immeasurable. I would also like to thank my brothers, Tom and Mike, for their constant support and occasional brotherly constructive evaluations.

I said after I was elected in 1996 that 12 years in the Senate would probably be enough. It is. I have always believed that democracies work best when there is a constant cycle of new energy and ideas, and fresh leadership.

I will leave the Senate with the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and love of my country that I started with. I leave maybe a little wiser, surely a little more experienced and with a very respectable amount of humility.

Public service has always been a big part of my life, and I hope to have another opportunity to serve my country in some new capacity down the road.

This afternoon, my family and I will return to Washington, and I will go back to work. I look forward to working as hard in the remaining 16 months of my Senate term for the people of Nebraska as I have over the last 11 years.

Thank you.”

Washington Post: Hagel Ponders White House Run

Our grassroots movement got a mention in today's Washington Post! Check out the (front page) article, "Hagel Ponders White House Run As War Criticism Raises His Profile" on the Post's site. Chuck Hagel has been thinking about running for President for a few years now, but as their article indicates, he may have a greater shot at it given the events of the last couple of months. Here are some excerpts from the article:

Hagel said in a wide-ranging interview this week that he is discussing his options with his family and other confidants and will make a decision in the next six weeks.

He said one possibility is forming a presidential exploratory committee and -- despite his outcast position within his party -- seeking the Republican nomination. Or he may seek a third Senate term. Then again, he might take a more creative path.
...
An Internet "draft Hagel" movement has formed, and even die-hard liberals admit they find him appealing.
...
Earlier in their careers, McCain, 70, and Hagel, 60, were viewed as rising Republican stars, two plain-spoken outsiders with gritty military résumés. After losing to Bush in the 2000 GOP nomination battle, McCain greatly enhanced his stature inside the party by embracing Bush's Iraq policy. Meanwhile, Hagel, an early and persistent critic of the invasion, grew more estranged.

"He's held his view for a long time and I've held mine for a long time, so it's not as if we suddenly find ourselves on the opposite side of the issue," McCain said of Hagel. "I respect his views. I maintain my strong affection and respect for him."

Hagel warned against military action long before the Iraq invasion, but despite his trepidations, he supported a Senate resolution authorizing the war. He has since renounced his vote and has been trying to atone for it ever since.

Be sure to check out the full article. I also liked the part about his 8th grade son recently introducing him to YouTube.

Hagel Candidate Buzz

Hotline On Call has a posting regarding a possible Hagel candidacy that notes a few interesting tidbits.

-- On WH '08: "As to my political future, that will be determined to almost the greatest extent, as it always is the case for any politician, by the people. If I decide to run for president, I will come before the American people, offer who I am, my record, my beliefs, my vision, my leadership, and it’ll be up to the American people to decide whether that fits or not; whether they want me around or not."

-- On an '08 timetable: "I will make a decision here in the next couple of weeks. I have to if I’m going to get in the presidential race."

There is also speculation as to whether or not Chuck Hagel would keep open the option of running as an independent if a Republican run is unsuccessful.

Decision soon

CNN reports that Chuck Hagel realizes that if he wants to get in the 2008 race he needs to do so soon.

Hagel to decide on White House bid 'soon'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, an outspoken Republican critic of the war in Iraq, told CNN Wednesday he will decide on whether to wage a presidential run soon.

"I'll let you know, Wolf -- I've got to make a decision soon," Hagel told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I will make that decision."

Bipartisan resolution and 2008 plans

Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star has a piece out today that discusses the bipartisan resoultion on Iraq and Chuck Hagel's thinking about 2008. Here is an excerpt:

Biden and Levin said Hagel approached them with the proposal for a bipartisan resolution. Most of the language came from Hagel, who has consistently expressed concern about the administration’s policy in Iraq, even before the war began.

Hagel said he’s not concerned about the possible impact of Wednesday’s action on his political future.

“I don’t worry about that (when) young men and women are being snuffed out in war. I do what I think is right for my country.

“Am I unmindful of the politics, unmindful I may announce soon that I’m going to run for president? No,” Hagel said.

But that decision has not been made, he said.

Issues like Iraq motivate him to lead and be engaged, he said, but seeking the presidency is “not the only way to do it.”

That decision has “got to fit with you, your family, your gut and with political reality,” he said, including the ability to swiftly raise $20 million to $25 million and build organizations in the first five or six primary and caucus states.

Hagel plans to decide soon whether to pursue the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, seek a third term in the Senate or leave elective office in early 2009.

It is clear that Senator Hagel is trying to do what he feels is best for our nation and our troops, as he has been there (in combat) himself.