Posted on 08/24/2005 8:43:20 AM PDT by crushkerry
Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel is privately meeting with his top advisors and political contributors to discuss the prospects of an independent bid for the White House in 2008, a high level GOP source told me this morning.
According to the source, Hagel has already begun to posture himself as an independent, believing that by doing so he can tap into the perceived growing frustration voters feel toward both major political parties. Recent polls show widespread voter dissatisfaction with leaders of both the Republican and Democrat parties in Washington.
At issue is the concern among Hagel higher-ups that the Nebraska Senator will not be able to outshine Sen. John McCain in a GOP primary. Hagel and McCain are reported to be close friends and share a similar profile: both are Vietnam veterans and both enjoy reputations as “mavericks” in the Senate.
But McCain is an 800 lb gorilla; Hagel a mischievous lemur, at best.
So one idea being considered heavily by Hagel and his senior staff and top financial backers is for the senator to launch an independent bid for the presidency, thereby avoiding a rough-and-tumble, uphill climb with unpromising results.
Should Senator John McCain win the GOP primary, Hagel would likely endorse his friend (and maybe even angle for a #2 spot on an “all maverick” ticket.) If McCain were to lose and the GOP to nominate a right-winger, Hagel would try to tap into the disaffected McCain primary vote in a three-way general election.
“When we hear Hagel say things like ‘Iraq is looking like Vietnam,’ that’s him testing the independent waters,” my source told me. “He knows the media loves a self-loathing Republican. And all the accolades showered on Jim Jeffords for bailing on the GOP was not lost on Chuck Hagel.”
Stay tuned …
Pat Hynes, the author of this piece, is a freeper (Screen Name: Kerry Crusher). He is the former political director for the New Hampshire Republican Committee.
His previous job was with the Republican media consulting firm Marsh Copsey + Scott where he worked on many Congressional and Senate campaigns, as well as being hired by the NRCC to run campaigns.
He took a leave frmo that position and just finished working for the CATO Institute, where he wass in charge of message development and dissemination for Social Security Reform.
He is also a frequent contributor to the American Spectator, Townhall, Tech Central Station and numerous other conservative publications. He is the co-author of the book How To Write Copy That Gets Votes.
He was lured away from CATO by a public relations firm in his native New Hampshire, where he has just moved with his wife and daughter.
Ping
I guess Hagel wants Hillary to get elected....
I will fight my best to keep this from happening.
I will be president of the US before Chuck Hagel.
Much of that disaffection with the Republican Party is personified by Hagel.
Sounds like a perfect plan to get Hillary elected - splitting the conservative and independent voters.
This a$$hole better not do that. He'd filter off more GOP than Dems most likely...and ensure a President Hillary.
"Much of that disaffection with the Republican Party is personified by Hagel."
Exactly.
I'm for Newt. More platform than ego.
I think thats why he is looking for an independent run...
he isn't going to be close to the GOP ticket and he knows it...
If he actually comes out with some sort of counter plan regarding Iraq, then, I'd say he probably is running. I think all he's done so far is be contrary.
Hail to the Chief!
Well, when the far left gets their candidate in the Dem primary I expect that if this traitor does run as an independent he will siphon off just as many Democratsas Republicans.
This will be no replay of Perot.
proposed campaign slogan..."Hang It Up Hagel"
If Hagel were to pull this off, you'd almost have to run McCain in order to win. McCain or Clinton? Pretty tough pill to swallow.
He doesn't have the charisma for an outside the box run at the WH.
Oh great another Perot to put a Clinton into office.
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