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Sen. Hagel Says GOP Has Lost Its Way
AP ^ | 8/20/6 | WILL LESTER

Posted on 08/20/2006 9:02:08 AM PDT by SmithL

Republicans have lost their way when it comes to many core GOP principles and may be in jeopardy heading into the fall elections, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. says.

Hagel, a possible presidential candidate in 2008, said Sunday that the GOP today is very different party from the one when he first voted Republican.

"First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta," said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. "I voted a straight Republican ticket. The reason I did is because I believe in the Republican philosophy of governance. It's not what it used to be. I don't think it's the same today."

Hagel asked: "Where is the fiscal responsibility of the party I joined in '68? Where is the international engagement of the party I joined — fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?"

His frustration does not lead him to think Democrats offer a better alternative. But Hagel wants to see the GOP return to its basic beliefs.

"I think we've lost our way," Hagel said. "And I think the Republicans are going to be in some jeopardy for that and will be held accountable."

Hagel has not decided whether he will run for president in 2008. But he respects his wife's reservations about being first lady — cited in a book about Hagel.

"I think it just shows the immense good judgment of my wife and how sane she is. I don't know of any spouse who would wish the job of president on their husband or wife," Hagel said on Fox News Sunday. "It's a big job. It's a tough job."

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Nebraska
KEYWORDS: 109th; election2006; hagel
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To: butternut_squash_bisque

Throw "America under a bus?" Could you be more specific? Of course, we all know how Bush has thrown "American under a bus" by spending like a drunken sailor.


61 posted on 08/20/2006 9:43:45 AM PDT by Captain Kirk
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To: Captain Kirk
What have you done?

Nothing really, just a helluva lot more than you.

62 posted on 08/20/2006 9:43:53 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (404 Page Error Found)
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To: jrooney

LBJ also cut taxes and gave us lower unemployment. He also created the Great Society, which Bush has extended.


63 posted on 08/20/2006 9:44:54 AM PDT by Captain Kirk
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To: butternut_squash_bisque

Leave me alone until you are ready to discuss THIS article.


64 posted on 08/20/2006 9:45:07 AM PDT by Doohickey (I am not unappeasable. YOU are just too easily appeased.)
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To: SmithL

Hagel served in Vietnam, you know!


65 posted on 08/20/2006 9:45:17 AM PDT by oldbill
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To: Captain Kirk

Both of 'em: immigration.


66 posted on 08/20/2006 9:45:49 AM PDT by butternut_squash_bisque (The recipe's at my FR HomePage. Try it!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

We were comparing you to Hagel. Apparently, you have no reply.


67 posted on 08/20/2006 9:45:50 AM PDT by Captain Kirk
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To: Doohickey
Actually Hagel has been consistent on one thing. He has been consistently wrong on the war on terror. His plan for victory is surrender and that is no plan at all.

If we had a POTUS Hagel during WW11 when there were ALLOT OF TIMES things were going badly, WE WOULD BE SPEAKING GERMAN.
68 posted on 08/20/2006 9:45:58 AM PDT by jrooney ( Hold your cards close.)
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To: IronJack

Well said!


69 posted on 08/20/2006 9:47:05 AM PDT by Alex1977
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To: Captain Kirk

Lookout, the sky is falling!!!! Grow a pair.


70 posted on 08/20/2006 9:47:10 AM PDT by jrooney ( Hold your cards close.)
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To: SmithL
"First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta," said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. "I voted a straight Republican ticket. The reason I did is because I believe in the Republican philosophy of governance. It's not what it used to be. I don't think it's the same today."

It is just possible that, if the morality of the current administration's foreign policy had been the position of the Nixon administration, the level of corruption in Vietnam could have been reduced. With less corruption, it is arguable that South Vietnam might have survived. One of the biggest problems with securing the rice farmer's support was the extreme corruption of their government.

Also, Hagel is the one Republican who could keep me from voting. In my mind, he ranks up there with Kerry and Gore.

71 posted on 08/20/2006 9:47:17 AM PDT by JimSEA ( "The purpose of diplomacy is to prolong a crisis." Spock)
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To: SmithL
"First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta," said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. "I voted a straight Republican ticket".

Bu!!sh#t!

72 posted on 08/20/2006 9:48:51 AM PDT by airborne (Fecal matter is en route to fan! Contact is imminent!)
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To: jrooney

I'm only discussing this article. Thank you for your valuable input, though.


73 posted on 08/20/2006 9:49:00 AM PDT by Doohickey (I am not unappeasable. YOU are just too easily appeased.)
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To: Captain Kirk
He's done far better than most: he has a taxpayer friendly voting record

Voting record on some issues doesn't mean squat.

It's the equivalent of handing out snacks when conservatives are craving the steak.

I'm looking at the big picture. Where's the bill to abolish the Education Department at? Where's the bill to repeal the 16th at? What about the bill to eliminate or reduce healthcare regulations?

Hagel is a joke and isn't worth to be elected trash collector.

74 posted on 08/20/2006 9:49:22 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (404 Page Error Found)
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To: jrooney

Grow a pear of what? Tits? No, Bush has done that for us. Under his administration, more people are sucking the public tit than ever before.


75 posted on 08/20/2006 9:49:35 AM PDT by Captain Kirk
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Hagel is good because of his taxpayer voting record, yet GW has giving us tax breaks and fought to make them permanent. Hagel good, Bush bad. Makes sense to me.


76 posted on 08/20/2006 9:50:59 AM PDT by jrooney ( Hold your cards close.)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Yeah....and you (apparently) voted for someone who is even worse on those issues, right?


77 posted on 08/20/2006 9:51:32 AM PDT by Captain Kirk
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To: Captain Kirk

You contradict yourself. See post #76 bright one.


78 posted on 08/20/2006 9:51:59 AM PDT by jrooney ( Hold your cards close.)
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To: JimSEA

---Also, Hagel is the one Republican who could keep me from voting. ---

Which is why Huffigton thinks he's just great.


79 posted on 08/20/2006 9:52:22 AM PDT by claudiustg (Iran delenda est.)
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To: Captain Kirk
We were comparing you to Hagel. Apparently, you have no reply.

Newsflash. I'm not in elective office.

So my biography compared to Hagel's is irrelevant.

80 posted on 08/20/2006 9:52:23 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (404 Page Error Found)
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