Hagel is calling it quits

omaha.com ^ | 9/8/07 | JAKE THOMPSON

[mathprof]

WASHINGTON - Chuck Hagel will announce Monday that he is retiring from the U.S. Senate and will not run for president next year, people close to the Nebraska Republican said Friday.

Hagel plans to announce that "he will not run for re-election and that he does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008," said one person, who asked not to be named.

Hagel has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Monday at the Omaha Press Club.

According to one person interviewed, Hagel told Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Friday morning that he had decided to retire. Hagel's staff learned of his decision that afternoon.

The North Platte native earned national recognition as perhaps the most vocal, at times angry, GOP critic of the Bush administration's Iraq policies.

His outspokenness on Iraq and other key issues, including Social Security and foreign policy, fueled national interest in Hagel as he flirted with a possible presidential bid.

[Popman]

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out and hope your retirement is filled with disease and pestilence.

Gee, can't you be glad this knucklehead is leaving the Senate.

You should not wish disease and pestilence on anyone.

The fact he will be shown to be a fool is all I need to know. I rather pity him for a fool then for something beyond his control

[Rosemont]

Hagel always plays the role of the MSM’s good guy ‘Conservative’ because of his RINO views. What is Wolfie Blitzer going to do?

[tdscpa]

He was not worth much, but I imagine he will be replaced by a politician who is bold enough to admit that he is a democrat.

Farewell to the late, great USA. The traditionally conservative plains states are going commie. Does not take a very large democrat majority in our small cities to eliminate the clout we hicks out here in flyover country used to hold.

[Thermalseeker]

I guess he won after all.

Yep. Getting elected to Congress is pretty much like winning the lottery, for life......and the wifie gets bennies, too......

[F-117A]

Thank You! Good riddance!

[Past Your Eyes]

Good, get him in there. We’re counting on you!

[Rocko]

Another casualty of the surge.

[alicewonders]

WHOO-HOO!

[mortal19440]

I never thought this A-hole would make my day, but this really did it. I might start Happy Hour early.

[Timmy]

Mark this one down as a GOP pickup in 2008.

[Poser]

Yippee!

[ClaireSolt]

Kerry may reconsider now that his favorite fundraiser Hsu has been outed.

[Pablo64]

"And there was much rejoicing in the land!"

Woo-hoo! Can't happen soon enough.

[jeffers]

He’s a traitor.

Disease and pestilence are too good for him.

I’ll settle for that though.

I’m gracious that way.

[TomGuy]

Chuck Hagel will announce

Why do these politicians think they are so all-important that they have to make a big tadoo and announce their plans.

They could just as easily send a letter to their local political party headquarters and their local paper, and state that they will not seek re-election.

These announcments that they are going to announce something later are ridiculous.

[Pablo64]

"1st Warner now Hagel! Come ON Nebraska send us a sane Conservative to replace this clown"

We're gonna try.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to run or I would do it myself. ;-)

[Dick Vomer]

[Postman]

I could not have said it better.

[jocko12]

No Loss!

[JSDude1]

Who had “national interest” in this RINO..compromiser???

Democrats?