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 ...
""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.""
Dear Senator Hagel,
There is no such thing as a Republican or Democrat anymore. There are Conservatives, Moderates and Liberals, all which cross party lines.
As an example dear Senator, Zell Miller is a Conservative, you are a Liberal. You see? Question is, what is yuor political agenda? Are you for protecting our rights given to us by the Constitution and supporting Judges who interpret law based on the Constitution, or are you for supporting anti-American policies that go against the Constitution?
It is that simple Senator.
Will Lester
Most Americans Doubt Bush's Honesty
November 11, 2005
by: Will Lester
Katrina Adds to Public Doubts About Bush
September 21, 2005
by: Will Lester
Public Doubts Bush Social Security Plan
By: Will Lester
May 06, 2005
That speaks volumes. Not to the Rhinos and lefties posting here because they probably read Huffington over coffee in the morning.
So I guess his SS reform idea, tax cuts, and Ownership Society proposal was just chopped liver.
Bush is responsible for Hurricane Katrina too, right?
"We were such in a rush to get rid of Clinton that we didn't scrutinize our own candidate close enough to see that he's a friend of Big Government."
Our candidate won by 537 votes and we knew who he was and what he was for eight years before 2000. If you also recall, for two years before the 2002 Midterms, the senate was run by Democrats.
Anyone who has a problem with this should just vote out the RINOS. The problem isn't the President.
Well put, E. Going back through his voting record is an eye-opener.
Like George McGovern, John Kerry, and John Murtha, to name a few?
Look, military service, in peace or war, is a noble undertaking in itself, and most of those who have served did so out of duty and honor, and not to earn entitlements or to make excuses for their other, unrelated inabilities or failings in life. Military service is not a trump card for deficiencies of knowledge, ability, or character. It is an enhancement to those who do possess these qualities, however.
Please don't use it as the single virtue that immediately qualifies one for high office. Besides, if you do, you will be denying Hillary her right to the Oval Office. (OK, that part was sarcasm!)
Like a soldier that wanders off from his unit only to complain that he's not lost, the platoon is! Can't wait for both Bagel and McLame to go down in flames!
Too bad Zell Miller isnt' still in the Senate: I would trade him for Hagel with no reservations. Hagel seems to be the kind of attention pig that McCain is, and relishes his image as a "maverick" (the real definition of maverick is any Republican who starts spouting leftist crud to the DBM.)
Bush supports the WOT. Hagel does not.
Between the two big spenders, I'll take the one who wants to defeat the Islamonazis.
I'd rather die from high spending than from a jihadist.
Back in 2000, there were apparently more Conservatives voting then moderates which would explain Bush's win over McCain?
Question, for 2008, will there be more or less Conservatives voting? Has the country moved further to the right or left? Are RINO's the standard bearers of the Republican party like the Marxists in the Democrat party?
This is important because it will be the difference between having either Rudy/McCain or a Conservative running against the RAT?
We really must look at the direction we are going in as far as moral clarity and leadership. The rest of it is pure politics that we will either like or hate.
Abortion isn't getting fixed, nor is gay marriage, nor is any failed social program that costs us billions. Those are ingrained into our culture and while we may not like it, nor believe it should be legislated from the bench, it is a fact of life.
I would rather be in debt than dead. To the rhinos and lefties here that support Hagel, being dead is better. Once again, makes sense to me!
I agree with you and it's very discouraging.
But IMO, I think Bush just wants to win the WOT and whoever the next Republican president be, they can start cutting and reducing the size of gov't. Bush is sort of plowing the road here.
Bitching about big gov't now is a lost cause. It's already 2006. Bush is not going to limit spending in the next two years. Might as well support the 2008 nominee who does support limited government.
I don't use it as a single virtue, but we'd be better off with more vets in Congress, even if some don't turn out the way I like.
Being a vet does not qualify anyone for public office. Kerry and Murtha have proven that. I am a vet of the Marine Corps from 84 to 89 and I am not qualified to serve in the house or senate. Difference is, I am honest about it and would not use my military service as a qualifier.
I despise haggling charlie as much as I do mcpain.
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