"Chuck Hagel insisted on ABC that we have had a civil war in Iraq for the past half year. Is he really thinking about running for 2008?"
I liked Hagel some years back, but the last few years it seems he needs to get back on his meds. I was curious about his voting record and donation record (any change due to who he was receiving money from). Didn't do any analysis, but in a quick review, it appears that he simply likes to be in front of a camera and is trying to be a McCain-lite 'renegade'. Someone from Nebraska may have addt'l info/know more about his 'change'.
Donation record below. Here's what American Conservative Union says (last year they have is 2004) - - interesting that he dropped 15 points in 1 year:
Senator Chuck HAGEL (R)
Nebraska
2004 Score - 87
Previous Year's Score - 100
Lifetime Score - 85
Years of Service - 8
http://www.acuratings.org/singlerecord.asp
Here are his campaign donations:
2001-2006 Total Receipts: $1,970,902
2001-2006 Total Spent: $2,086,139
Cash on Hand: $154,066
Debts: $0
Date of last report: December 31, 2005
First elected: 1996
Next election: 2008
Fundraising by Cycle:
2006: $259,698
2004: $94,202
2002: $1,617,002
Source of Funds:
Individual contributions:
$946,832
(48.0%)
PAC contributions
$974,581
(49.4%)
Candidate self-financing
$0
Other
$49,489
(2.5%)
PAC Contribution Breakdown:
Business
$1,666,239
(92.7%)
Labor
$49,000
(2.7%)
Ideological/Single Issue
$83,146
(4.6%)
CHUCK HAGEL: CAREER PROFILE (SINCE 1989)
Top Industries
The top industries supporting Chuck Hagel are:
1 Insurance $376,879
2 Securities & Investment $277,906
3 Commercial Banks $259,150
4 Retired $257,318
5 Health Professionals $209,085
6 Lawyers/Law Firms $203,999
7 Electric Utilities $181,957
8 Oil & Gas $174,531
9 Real Estate $149,730
10 Leadership PACs $116,211
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00005301&cycle=2006
I was wondering if he got any Abramoff-related contributions. It appears he only got $4k:
Contributions to Chuck Hagel (R-Neb)
Recipient Donor Total Cycle
Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians $1,000 2004
Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians $1,000 2002
Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe $2,000 2004
http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_recips_detail.asp?type=R&Name=Chuck+Hagel+%28R%2DNeb%29
Lots of details, but his committee memberships in intel & armed services hurts the republicans' & President's cause than helps. Also, Olympia Snow should never be on intel comm. Republicans should wise up to choosing these, atleast in future.
I liked your post about Hagel. We are from Nebraska, and I can tell you that he is extremely unpopular here. He will not carry this part of the state in another election. As far as tracing the money goes, I don't think there is any real smoking gun there. He's simply a media whore with his finger in the wind. Whatever gets his face on tv is the stance of the day. Putz personified.