Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hagelian War Logic
Jim Pinkerton assess Chuck Hagel's vision of the Iraq war.
He is skeptical of how much change a President Hagel might bring.
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He is skeptical of how much change a President Hagel might bring.
Labels: Chuck Hagel, foreign policy, GOP 2008 President, Iraq
Friday, February 02, 2007
Haggling Over Hagel
The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza makes the presidential case for and against Hagel in 2008. Meanwhile, Jim Pinkerton sizes him up as the "new" John McCain:
That's not the case with smaller parties -- or individuals who want to launch independent efforts.
Another problem Hagel faces is that -- despite the criticisms he gets from many conservatives that he is playing for the cameras, the fact is that he is nowhere near the media tramp that McCain 2000 was. He doesn't have the same media most-dangerous-place-to-stand-is-between-him-and-a-camera gene that McCain, Schumer, Lieberman, Christopher Dodd and others possess. If anything, he needs to be more of a media hog -- not less.
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So what does it mean for the future of national politics if Hagel is the new McCain? Two conclusions: First, the Nebraskan is now viewed with deep suspicion among many rank-and-file Republicans - the folks who control the GOP nomination process.I agree with Jim in part. However, I think one of the side effects of campaign finance "reform" is that it makes it even harder for a non-self financed candidate to launch an independent campaign. That's something so-called "soft money" was ideal for -- "party-building." Obviously, the entrenched parties are already constructed and can find all sorts of ways to get around that.
Second, as his stock goes down among Republicans, it goes up among independents. Even liberals might conclude that it will take a certified war hero -- Hagel won two Purple Hearts in Vietnam -- to make a credible exit from Iraq.
All of which means there's a chance for Hagel to follow in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt in 1912: He could bolt the GOP and run a credible independent bid for the White House. He might even win.
That's not the case with smaller parties -- or individuals who want to launch independent efforts.
Another problem Hagel faces is that -- despite the criticisms he gets from many conservatives that he is playing for the cameras, the fact is that he is nowhere near the media tramp that McCain 2000 was. He doesn't have the same media most-dangerous-place-to-stand-is-between-him-and-a-camera gene that McCain, Schumer, Lieberman, Christopher Dodd and others possess. If anything, he needs to be more of a media hog -- not less.
Labels: Chuck Hagel, GOP 2008 President
Friday, January 26, 2007
The GOP Anti-War Candidate?
The gentleman from Nebraska ponders his options.
UPDATE: Chuck gets love from Peggy.
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UPDATE: Chuck gets love from Peggy.
Labels: Chuck Hagel, GOP 2008 President, Iraq
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Hagel On Fire
The Nebraska senator critiques the president's "surge" plan somewhat forcefully.
For what it's worth, I don't think Hagel is just playing to the cameras. One of the criticisms that he gets hit with is that he's "self-serving" (I mean, more than the average senator). I don't think that's the case here. I think he's saying what he really believes to be the case with the Iraq situation.
Right or wrong, he's calling it as he sees it.
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For what it's worth, I don't think Hagel is just playing to the cameras. One of the criticisms that he gets hit with is that he's "self-serving" (I mean, more than the average senator). I don't think that's the case here. I think he's saying what he really believes to be the case with the Iraq situation.
Right or wrong, he's calling it as he sees it.
Labels: Chuck Hagel, Iraq
Monday, January 15, 2007
Senate Smackdown
A rare, blunt, emotional exchange was seen on a Sunday talk show this weekend. On Meet the Press, pro-surge Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman explains why not supporting the surge is a call for defeat. Anti-surge GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel disagrees somewhat forcefully:
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Labels: Chuck Hagel, Joe Lieberman, Meet The Press
