Senator Hagel (R-France) Says Bush Given Too Much Leeway

the new york times ^ | 10/21/2003 | RepublicanWizard

[republicanwizard]

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is strongly criticizing Congress, saying it gave President Bush too much latitude in conducting foreign policy following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Hagel, of Nebraska, voiced his disapproval Monday in a speech at the Gallup Organization World Conference in Omaha.

``When the security of this nation is threatened, Congress and the American people give the president great latitude,'' he said. ``We probably have given this president more flexibility, more latitude, more range, unquestioned, than any president since Franklin Roosevelt -- probably too much. The Congress, in my opinion, really abrogated much of its responsibility.''

Hagel, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voted last year to give the president the authority to attack Iraq but has frequently criticized Bush's execution of the war. He has been especially critical of the lack of allies and U.N. support.

Most people in other countries are too young to remember the good done by the United States in World War II and the Korean War, he said.

``The great reservoir of pro-American good will that has existed in the world since World War II . . . that reservoir is now down very low.''

[JohnnyZ]

FYI, Chuck Hagel is running for President in 2008.

Kind like McCain, but with fewer principles and more obsessed with winning the approval of the NY Times.

[StriperSniper]

That's the first I have heard about that, so that may be a big part of it. I also seem to remember that he started his carping after being passed on for the VP slot in 2000.

[pawdoggie]

Hagel says that President Bush has been given more power than any President since FDR. Did he ever stop to consider that's because we're a greater risk of an attack against the Homeland than at any time since WWII?

[OldFriend]

So we have Lugar complaining that Bush is not in charge and we have Hagel complaining that Bush is too much in charge.

Ah, the RINOs in action.

Give them a call and let them know you are watching and listening and not amused......1-877-762-8762

[act2]

Chuck Hagel is a U.N lover

[RobbyS]

And Liubya since--what, 1986? The problme in Iraq is that we didn't hit the Sunni triangle hard before May 1.

[cookcounty]

"You violate Reagan's 11th Commandment, on what basis?"

Sheesh!! It's Bush that nice to Hagel while Hgal trashes Bush. The 11th Commandment starts BEFORE the first shot is fired.

[GoGophers]

I want to congratulate Nebraska from the bottom of my heart for sending this RINO to the Senate.

RINO? The American Conservative Union gave him a rating of 95 in 2002. Hardly the score of a RINO.

[republicanwizard]

He disagrees with the President. He has cast doubt on his credibility and skill. He has sided with foreign countries and domestic traitors.

Hagel is not a member of the same party as I.

[GoGophers]

ACU Ratings for Senator Nelson: 55 in 2002

[GoGophers]

He disagrees with the President. He has cast doubt on his credibility and skill. He has sided with foreign countries and domestic traitors.

Disagreeing with the president. The nerve of the senator.

Hagel is not a member of the same party as I.

Are you a Democrat or Libertarian?

[republicanwizard]

Tell me the difference between what Hagel has said, and what Kerry has said. I dare you.

[GoGophers]

Tell me the difference between what Hagel has said, and what Kerry has said. I dare you.

I don't call someone a RINO based on his position on one issue. The ACU does not give RINOs a rating of 95.

[Mo1]

Hagel, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voted last year to give the president the authority to attack Iraq but has frequently criticized Bush's execution of the war. He has been especially critical of the lack of allies and U.N. support.

Excuse me Senator but the UN does not dictate US policy on defending ourselves

So do us all a favor and shut up

[Mo1]

Hagel is no friend of this administration, he has been dogging Bush since day one

You've noticed that too huh??

[PhilipFreneau]

Hagel is a closet leftist. Hagel (along with Kerry, Daschle, and other leftist senators) supported Clinton on going to war with Iraq in 1998, yet Hagel was against Bush going to war with Iraq in 2002. Read about it in the Weekly Standard at:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/001/607rkunu.asp

And there is this from the National Review:

"In 1998, when the Lewinsky scandal was smashing Bill Clinton's credibility, Hagel gave a speech on global conflict. It was vintage Hagel, full of high-minded apprehension, and it earned the rookie senator plaudits from the likes of the Washington Post's David Broder, the embodiment of the capital's liberal establishment. "Congress must be very careful in what we say and what we do as we proceed along a very dangerous path. We must be careful not to weaken or neuter the president in front of the world," said Hagel. "America must speak to the world with some sense and some semblance of unity. We cannot allow our foreign policy to unravel before the eyes of the world during a very dangerous time."

It's the exact reverse of Hagel's behavior toward President Bush. Some one might remind him that words have meaning."

Read the entire NR article at: http://www.nationalreview.com/12aug02/miller081202.asp

[dennisw]

Why doesn't this goober stifle himself for the sake of Republican party unity. I doubt he would have done half as well as GWBush post 9-11-2001 if he were president.

Why does he give aid and comfort to the RATS and leftists??

[dennisw]

Hagel is a closet leftist............

To me he is more of a libertarian ostrich type. A non involvement, non interventionist type.

[GoGophers]

Hagel is a closet leftist.

You might want to inform the ACU.