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 …
Actually I meant he'd get more independent votes that would normally go to Republicans...
Again, I don't see Hagel getting many GOP votes. The reason he would even consider running as an independent is that he has at least faced the reality that he has no chance of winning the GOP nomination. His Bush-bashing and increasingly anti-Iraq war stance will only appeal to the left, particularly if Hillary is the nominee as the anti-war left is ticked off at her for her "moderate" stance on the war.
Yes, I've read it.
"I guess Hagel wants Hillary to get elected...."
Here we go again, the crinton machine is setting up a third party "moderate" to split the vote and get Hitlery in....just like they did with Bill.
"Sounds like a perfect plan to get Hillary elected - splitting the conservative and independent voters."
Just like 92 and 96....
Wishful thinking, snookie. If he runs, Hagel will get even fewer votes than Pat did, if that's possible.
that's what I am saying....
In a Hagel v. Buchanan match up, put me down as a vote for Pat.
i believe if Hagel doesnt, McAsshat would.....it would be "revenge" on the GOP for rejecting him time and time again
possibly...
I think McCain is vain enough to actually try to win the GOP primary....
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