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 ...
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.
Nothing really, just a helluva lot more than you.
LBJ also cut taxes and gave us lower unemployment. He also created the Great Society, which Bush has extended.
Leave me alone until you are ready to discuss THIS article.
Hagel served in Vietnam, you know!
Both of 'em: immigration.
We were comparing you to Hagel. Apparently, you have no reply.
Well said!
Lookout, the sky is falling!!!! Grow a pair.
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.
Bu!!sh#t!
I'm only discussing this article. Thank you for your valuable input, though.
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.
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.
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.
Yeah....and you (apparently) voted for someone who is even worse on those issues, right?
You contradict yourself. See post #76 bright one.
---Also, Hagel is the one Republican who could keep me from voting. ---
Which is why Huffigton thinks he's just great.
Newsflash. I'm not in elective office.
So my biography compared to Hagel's is irrelevant.
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