Posted on 06/26/2005 9:11:16 AM PDT by CHARLITE
If Sen. John McCain seeks the Republican nomination for president in 2008, as expected, he could face stiff competition from another conservative Vietnam vet considered a maverick within the party - Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Observers say Hagel could be attractive to many of the centrist Republicans who voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries.
Like McCain, Hagel has parted ways with the Bush administration on a number of issues.
He's been critical of American troop levels in Iraq and U.S. preparation for the reconstruction of the country. He's spoken out about U.S. policy regarding prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, saying they shouldn't be held indefinitely. He expressed doubts about John Bolton's nomination to the UN and urged a delay in his confirmation hearing. He voted against the president's No Child Left Behind education legislation and the 2002 farm bill. "If Senator McCain runs, Hagel comes out of sort of that same niche," professor Randall Adkins, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska, told the publication The Hill.
The Nebraska Senator could have an advantage over McCain because he's well known in much of neighboring Iowa, an early primary state where McCain did not campaign in 2000.
Also, he could have a stronger appeal among more conservative Republicans due to his criticism of the deal to head off a filibuster over judicial nominees - a deal McCain supported.
In fact, some Republicans in McCain's home state are so unhappy with his stance on immigration reform and campaign finance reform that the Arizona Republican Assembly recently passed a resolution calling on party leaders to censure him.
And McCain would be 72 when he entered the White House. Hagel is 10 years younger.
But for the time being, Hagel is noncommittal.
"John McCain is a very dear friend of mine and a one of the most effective senators in the United States Senate," said Hagel.
"What he's gonna do, I don't know. What I'm gonna do, I don't know."
as a dyed in the wool conservative, common sense American , I could NOT endorse any of these two fools.
Both Hagel and McCain DOA with the Republican base who votes in primaries. How many centrist voters do we have as a lot of McCain voters in 2000 were Democrats registering as Republicans -- haven't met a lot of centrist voters that vote everytime in a primary.
"Also, he could have a stronger appeal among more conservative Republicans due to his criticism of the deal to head off a filibuster over judicial nominees - a deal McCain supported."
Which may be the FIRST "conservative" stance this "Republican" has taken.
Maverick=RINO
Neither one of these guys has a snowball's chance in Hell of getting the Republican nomination.
If it comes down to Hagel or Capt. Queeg, I'll stay home in 08.
"Both Hagel and McCain DOA with the Republican base who votes in primaries. How many centrist voters do we have as a lot of McCain voters in 2000 were Democrats registering as Republicans -- haven't met a lot of centrist voters that vote everytime in a primary."
If the MSM succeeds in crowning Hillary without a serious opponent, there will be a lot more crossover "independents" (i.e. Dems) voting for McCain, Hagel, et al.
Anything that splits the maverick vote is a good thing. Neither will go anywhere with the base.
McCain is the medias man. Hagel will be shunned as far as TV time goes. McCain will get his free, whereas Hagel will have to buy his. As will our future nominee George Allen.
The are both political whores who count on the ignorance of their audience and bed the MSM daily for career advancement.
Which proves they can get nowhere without sleeping with the enemy, this is not CIC material.
Sometimes it's just better to fast than have to choose between liver or kimchee.
Recent history demonstrates that sitting members of either House are not elected President. That is why the Pubbies better be looking who is sitting on Governor's bench. How about a real conservative, like Sanford from S.C.? He could take back conservatism after that boy Lindsey Graham is giving it away.
Let the jockeying begin...inevitable as it must be.
Unity and calls for it may seem pointless.
Particularly in light of the apparent lack of it in the insanity of current Democrat bedlam.
And perhaps because of the seriousness of these deadly times coherence must replace old-style bombast and PR show boating.
McCain and Hagel are ours. Like 'em or not..
Let's deploy them for maximum effect.
Bless you for your tireless work for all of us.
Chuck
Rather pathetic bunch of losers.
Both of these guys are opportunists and will go nowhere in the runup to the next presidential primary.
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