Hagel not interested in Kerry ticket slot

Omaha World Herald ^ | June 4, 2004 | Jake Thomsen

[ozzie]

WASHINGTON - The cicadas have swarmed, spring flowers have bloomed and now Washington's chattering class is abuzz with a favorite quadrennial parlor game - guessing the next vice presidential running mate.

Who will be John Kerry's choice?

The political newsletter "The Hotline" recently identified 68 men and women the presumed Democratic nominee might be considering, among them a couple of Republicans, including Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel.

The provocative thinking goes like this: Pick a Vietnam combat veteran, a Midwesterner, a maverick who often fusses with his own GOP leadership. Maybe Hagel could balance the ticket with a dose of bipartisanship.

Well, Hagel is having none of it.

Although several Democrats not connected to Kerry's campaign have broached the topic with him, he made it clear Thursday that if Kerry offered it, he would say, "No, thanks."

"I'm a Republican; I'm going to remain a Republican; I'm supporting this president for reelection," he told reporters in a weekly conference call.

It's no secret that Hagel has taken issue with the administration over the war in Iraq and with some GOP leaders over the Medicare bill, Cuba policy and budgeting.

There are, Hagel said, "some things I don't agree with, some areas and directions I see the Republican Party going that I think are wrong."

But he'll stay within the GOP and try to redirect the party.

"That's the way I'll do it. I will not be changing any parties or entertaining it."

Hagel's name has come up because he's a close friend and ally of Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain is another Republican on the list of possibles who also has repeatedly said he's not interested in running with Kerry.

There is one Midlander who could end up at Kerry's side: Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Vilsack's life story could balance that of Kerry, who was raised in privilege and schooled at Yale University.

Vilsack, an orphan who grew up to become a city council member and mayor in Iowa before winning the governorship, could play well in small towns across the Midwest, a key battleground in the presidential race, he said.

[ozzie]

Here in Nebraska, our very own McCain lite.

[Ron in Acreage]

Isn't it amazing that the media has come to believe that the only way Kerry can win is to have a republican VP? First McCain, and now Hagel. They must know Kerry has no chance. What does this tell you about the lack of quality people in the democrat party? Anti-american lefties.

[cardinal4]

Here in Nebraska, our very own McCain lite.

Maybe, but at least he is sticking with Bush and telling the public that..

[counterpunch]

It says a lot about the state of Democrat party when their best candidates are all Republicans.

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Original Political Satire

[tet68]

That is my thought, imagine the situation where a republican
presidential candidate would even consider a democrat.
The press would have a field day, Republicans in disarray!
Chasm divides Party! etx. Now not a peep.

[The Old Hoosier]

Hagel is rather independent minded, but he's definitely not McCain.

[dufekin]

It's happened in the past. The Republicans were in disarray, losing badly, taking a severe beating in the press, not seen as winning on the battlefield. In 1864 Lincoln nominated Andrew Johnson, a Democrat from the non-state of Tennessee, for the vice-presidency. Lincoln served just 40 days of his second term before the Democrat took over the highest office. The Johnson presidency ranks among the absolute worst in American history, and he barely endured an impeachment.

[alloysteel]

The John Kerry campaign is still flailing. Very bad strategy, even for somebody who is drowning. It means panic has set in, and as every life guard knows, it is nearly impossible to approach a swimmer who has succumbed to these mindless responses, to attempt a rescue, short of knocking them out.

[television is just wrong]

What imbecile would want to be second fiddle to Kerry?

[Vigilanteman]

I'd consent to take the job for 10% of his wife's fortune. I wouldn't campaign for him. I wouldn't even vote for him, but I'd accept the job if offered.

[stillnoprotestsagainstmuslims]

Kerrys running mate is going to be Bob Kerrey and their theme song is going to be "Kerry-Kerrey" sung to the tune of "Cherry Cherry" by Neil Diamond, and at the convention Kerry is going to perform it onstage with Neil so everyone will think he is cool.

[television is just wrong]

As long as you undermine his presidency, FINE. (Sarcasm), or not.

[Cicero]

It doesn't work that way. You have to find your own rich woman to marry.

[Condor51]

"Isn't it amazing..."

Yeah it is something isn't it.

And let's not forget that pre-Kerry, the "hot" Dem POTUS candidate was another 'republican₁' - Gen. Wes Clark.

As such, the RAT party admits by default that they know that only way they can win is by having a 'republican₁' candidate!

1 - small "r" intentional

[Hat-Trick]

Hagel is an amnesty promoting globalist. He'll go the the schools in South 'O' and promote his program to the illegals, but you'll never see him come to a church in West Omaha and talk his constituents about why his version of "immigration reform" is good for Nebraska and good for America.

He's trolling for votes. He wants to be the nominee in 2008. He's a RINO. He loves the United Nations - which is why I can't stand him, and won't vote for him.

[RavenATB]

That Kerry would consider Chuck Hagel as a reasonable running mate should tell you a lot more about Hagel than Kerry. Hagel has spent the past three years attempting to gain national recognition for a future Presidential bid by undermining President Bush on military and foreign policy issues. There's no better way for an unknown Republican Senator from a "flyover" state to gain national recognition than to play to the lust of the liberal media by publicly criticizing a sitting Republican President.

Hagel has sold out his party, jeopardized American troops, and undermined the potential for success of US foreign policy with his political opportunism. His attempts to portray himself as a military and foreign policy expert are laughable--two years carrying a rifle in Vietnam somehow makes Hagel an "expert" on military and foreign policy issues. If Hagel were attacking Clinton and his use of the military it would be treated by the media as nothing more than a joke. The media would be asking him how it is that he feels two years carrying a rifle in Vietnam somehow qualifies him to second-guess the best military minds the nation can assemble. But not when you can supplement your weak resume by feeding red meat to the liberal media, attacking a Republican President--that's when you instantly become a top expert on any issue.

Any Republican Senator should take as an incredible insult that John Kerry--the most liberal senator in US history--would consider them as a potential running mate. But not Hagel. Why? Because for Chuck Hagel, it's all about Chuck Hagel. Hagel is the Republican's answer to Bill Clinton; there is nothing he won't do, no one he won't screw to gain power for himself. Anything that get's Hagel's name in the headlines, anything that gives Hagel an opporunity to get his face on the Sunday TV "news" talk shows, anything that gives Hagel a chance for more time in the media will be done.

As a registered Republican, a 12-year Nebraska resident, and a man with over 22 years in the military on my resume, Chuck Hagel disgusts me. I wouldn't sell that man my spit.

[G.Mason]

Oh, please.

There has to be at least one Dim that will be Kerry's VP, for the record.

I mean ... It's not like he, or she, will be getting the job.

[McGavin999]

What an incredible slap in the face of Hagel. Wonder if it will wake him up that he is considered such a traitor to his parties principles that he could be considered for the VP slot for the democrats.