Sen. Hagel Says GOP Has Lost Its Way

AP ^ | 8/20/6 | WILL LESTER

[SmithL]

Republicans have lost their way when it comes to many core GOP principles and may be in jeopardy heading into the fall elections, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. says.

Hagel, a possible presidential candidate in 2008, said Sunday that the GOP today is very different party from the one when he first voted Republican.

"First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta," said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. "I voted a straight Republican ticket. The reason I did is because I believe in the Republican philosophy of governance. It's not what it used to be. I don't think it's the same today."

Hagel asked: "Where is the fiscal responsibility of the party I joined in '68? Where is the international engagement of the party I joined — fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?"

His frustration does not lead him to think Democrats offer a better alternative. But Hagel wants to see the GOP return to its basic beliefs.

"I think we've lost our way," Hagel said. "And I think the Republicans are going to be in some jeopardy for that and will be held accountable."

Hagel has not decided whether he will run for president in 2008. But he respects his wife's reservations about being first lady — cited in a book about Hagel.

"I think it just shows the immense good judgment of my wife and how sane she is. I don't know of any spouse who would wish the job of president on their husband or wife," Hagel said on Fox News Sunday. "It's a big job. It's a tough job."

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Hagel = RINO scumbag.

[MNJohnnie]

How would he know? He is one of the LEAST Republican Senators I have ever heard. The difference between hims and John Kerry et al is ?

[pissant]

And Will Lester is busy sniffing hagels panties.

[Biblebelter]

The GOP has absolutely lost its way. There are too many whiners and hand wringers in the Republican Senate like Chicken Little Chuckie Hagel.

[tflabo]

But Hagel wants to see the GOP return to its basic beliefs.

Fair enough Chuckie...let's start with RINO's like yourself getting a backbone, stop pandering to the illogical liberals and put some conservative actions into play.

[Alex1977]

Sad to note that a conservative State as Nebraska is unable to send two real conservatives to US Senate.

[ncountylee]

"...I don't know of any spouse who would wish the job of president on their husband or wife,"

Beast and bent one excepted?

[bandleader]

MEGA DITTOS to that!Earth To Chuck Hagel:"It Is You Who Has LOST Teir Way"!!!!!!!!!!!

[MNJohnnie]

Hagel asked: "Where is the fiscal responsibility of the party I joined in '68? Where is the international engagement of the party I joined — fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?"

And just WHERE was any of this "building a smaller government" next to LBJ and Roosevelt, Nixon added more new departments and agencies then anyone. Free Trade? Utterly nonexistent. Hegel is not only stupid, he is a liar as well. Newt is the Right's, Bill Clinton, Hagel is a John Kerry clone.

[Just A Nobody]

Hagel, you imbecile!

Hagel, a possible presidential candidate in 2008

ROTFLMBO!!!

[Carling]

Where is the international engagement of the party I joined — fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?"

This guy has been a part of the problem for 10 years. Pot/kettle.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Being a transplanted Nebraskan, I am ashamed to know that Hagel also came from Nebraska, the land of the free! Hagel sounded like a conservative to get elected then turned lefty in Washington.

Now he is a psuedo-Democrat masquerading as a Republican, he has the nerve to call his (assumed) party having lost its way!

My friend was wondering if she should hold her nose while voting for him in the next election if no other challenger shows up!

[JennysCool]

Hagel the Horrible.

[jveritas]

I am sure that Hagel did not vote for President Bush in 2004.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

He's right. They decided to legislate like democrats because they were hijacked by the so called compassionate conservative Bush/ Rove con artists. Yeah, Bush appoints good judges, gave us a little tax cut and understands we are at war, but that's no excuse to condon his drunken sailor spending and his glib concern for illegal immigration. It's like the diver below. Like her, the republicans had a great start and form in the beginning but cracked their heads when they rushed to put George Bush in the Oval Office. We were such in a rush to get rid of Clinton that we didn't scrutinize our own candidate close enough to see that he's a friend of Big Government. If we were never attacked, would many of you still be supporting a guy who has grown the governement faster than any liberal democrat has ever grown the government?

[bray]

Gee Chuck, and just who do you think can lead us back??

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Fitzcarraldo]

"I think we've lost our way,"

Hagel is burying the trail.

[tflabo]

Hagel is a Bagel and a bagel's got a hole,
So Hagel rhymes with bagel but the bagel's got a soul.

[Buck W.]

Just trying to distance ourselves from you, Chuck.

On another note, where's the Nebraska GOP's Ned Lamont to challenge Chuck for his contrarian views? Oh, the GOP is more tolerant, perhaps?