In this
latest blast from the retiring Sen. Hagel,
(his most explicit statement to date came at the very end of the article):
Hagel Calls Giuliani, Clinton `Cowboys' for Comments on IranRudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton were ``recklessly irresponsible'' and acting like ``cowboys'' for rejecting calls for direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, charged Senator Chuck Hagel, a top Republican lawmaker.
Hagel, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee who supports talks, was critical of Giuliani, the top Republican contender, and Clinton, a New York senator and leader of the Democratic field, for lambasting presidential rival Barack Obama, who proposed such discussions. . . . .
. . . . . .
Hagel, who decided not to run for re-election next year and has ruled out a presidential bid, said he wouldn't endorse anyone in the Republican primary.
Yet he said he
may back a candidate from either political party or an independent in the general election.
``I will see what the options are,'' he said.
. . . . . .
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a0h8abc0d1tM&refer=home It's been clear that Hagel's statements, especially since announcing his retirement, have been totally inconsistent with supporting whoever ends up on the warmongering GOP ticket in 2008.
Hagel's statements are
NOT the words of a "My party right or wrong" Republican:
- -
GOP Senator Hagel: "The Republican Party Has Won Two Elections On...Fear And Terrorism...It's Going To Try Again" - -
Think Progress: Hagel Suggests Possibility Of Bush Impeachment: ‘He’s Not Accountable Anymore’(Somehow it seems doubtful one will ever see Hagel wearing a "Guiliani for President" shirt.)
Hagel has now crossed the Rubicon . . . . . specifically stating he may back a Democrat (or perhaps some other non-Republican) in the 2008 general election.
IF the Democratic ticket is led by someone (Biden, Obama, Edwards, Richardson, Dodd, Kucinich come to mind) committed to ending the occupation, and avoiding unending war with Iran (& others), Hagel is likely to PUBLICLY SUPPORT the Democratic ticket in 2008.
Hagel's sentiments are shared by a significant number of purple state independents, just the kind of voter that went strongly Democratic in 2006.
The flip side of this reality, unfortunately, is that a DLC strategy of attempting to appeal to "the center" by running a hawkish, pro-war Democrat, instead of standing for our values (and those of the great majority of Americans) is misguided . . . and a recipe for defeat.
The winning strategy . . . the way to deserve the continued support of independents (and disillusioned Republicans) . . . is to run a candidate strongly committed to ending the occupation, avoiding unending war, and reversing the constitutional abuses of 8 years of Bush/Cheney.
Which strategy will we choose?