Posted on 08/24/2005 12:17:58 PM PDT by areafiftyone
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 …
Imagine my surprise.
McCain ain't gonna win the GOP nomination.
I don't think McCain will run. I would not be surprised if he puts his support behind Hagel as an Independent.
Fine .. get out of our party
I agree. He's wasting his time and our money!
"But McCain is an 800 lb gorilla; Hagel a mischievous lemur, at best."
Hehehehehe.
I like McCain. But I don't know if I'd support him for President. And Hagel's recent statements are...uninspiring, at best. He could split the vote and be a real pain in the ass, but I don't see him winning either a GOP primary or the presidency.
Win or lose, Sen. Haggis would then be poised for the top slot.
Hagel is a John McCain, without all of the mental sanity.
He won't do it.
Realize that this is a slow news month and these "reporters" are simply trying to make some headlines.
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