Posted on 11/15/2005 6:58:38 PM PST by jmc1969
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) strongly criticized yesterday the White House's new line of attack against critics of its Iraq policy, saying that "the Bush administration must understand that each American has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for disagreeing with them."
With President Bush leading the charge, administration officials have lashed out at Democrats who have accused the administration of manipulating intelligence to justify the war in Iraq.
Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran and a potential presidential candidate in 2008, countered in a speech to the Council of Foreign Relations that the Vietnam War "was a national tragedy partly because members of Congress failed their country, remained silent and lacked the courage to challenge the administrations in power until it was too late."
"To question your government is not unpatriotic -- to not question your government is unpatriotic," Hagel said, arguing that 58,000 troops died in Vietnam because of silence by political leaders. "America owes its men and women in uniform a policy worthy of their sacrifices."
At one point, while answering a question from the audience about Syria, Hagel suggested that the Middle East was worse off after the invasion because the administration failed to anticipate the consequences of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. "You could probably argue it is worse in many ways in the Middle East because of consequences and ripple effects," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
In 08 if I recall correctly. But don't count on the state republican committee to dump him. Hell, some of those SOBs supported Ben Nelson over the republican candidate the last few times Nelson ran.
Not until 2010. As a Nebraskan, I'd be happy to sign a re-call petition to get him out sooner. I've called & sent so many letters & he does not care. The only thing he cares about is getting power. He won't be getting my vote for president, or any of my friends. He is worse than a democrat. They stab us in the back, but there not family.
I truly beleive that Allen has lost his chance for the Presidency with these votes. Who is advising him?
Tell the truth, I'd exchange Hagel for Nelson in nebraska. Wish the parties would do a trade.
No, Chuckie, the Vietnam War was a "national tragedy" because politicos like yourself couldn't keep your damn mits off of the job at hand. People like you and McCain and Durbin and Kerry want to dictate how this war is run. And you will kill American soldiers by doing so.
Their service doesn't give them a pass. McCain has been making statements about the war effort however they are about the present tactics and his ideas about how they may be improved and he is always quick to follow up that victory is the only option. I don't agree on his statements but I don't believe they fall in the same category of those that are designed to undermine the President and the war effort. Those I believe are treasonous. Hagel's fall into that territory
Dear Senator
Are you nuts? The GOP has been verbally pummeled by the lying Democrats, who apparently you are closer to than you are to Conservatives. Please tell me you are not denying President Bush his right to defend his policies on Iraq. It sure sounds like thats what you are suggesting. I have never in my life seen such gutless spineless actions by a group who seems too scared to assume leadership and the responsibility that goes with it. I know Im not from your state but I hope you get your keester thrown out in 2008. The lack of fortitude in the GOP disgusts me and you sir are part of the problem not part of the solution. Hopefully you'll grow a set soon but I won't hold my breath. I just can't believe you actually suggested President Bush shouldn't answer his critics. Have you ever read the Constitution? You do realize that President Bush did not suggest in any way shape or form that nobody should criticize, HE JUST DEFENDED HIMSELF AND HIS POLICIES. Cant you see the difference? Hell I'm wasting my time here. Good luck, I hope you get a clue soon.
I don't know why everyone is complaining about their senators for- I have Kohl and Feingold- really things cannot get much worse than these two. Of course, I could live in New York and have Hillary and Chuckie!
I am not sure where all of these jellyfish republicans came from. We busted out tails to get some of these idiots elected- and they have betrayed us. These idiots seem to forget- they will be up for re-election some day- and an elephant does not forget anything!
Oh don't worry he won't EVER get elected again back here in Nebraska.
Both Hagel and Nelson say one thing in Nebraska and do exactly the opposite in Washington and people here just keep falling for it. Bob Kerry did it to us too.
The Senator has become confused due to the lack of common sense, an extremely rare commodity inside the D.C. beltway.
There is a difference between criticism and rewriting history. The democrats are attempting to rewrite history when they take stances directly the opposite of what they held when clinton was in power. The bad thing is they expect us not to remember and are highly irritated when we do.
Guess all of that right to extend and comment that they grant themselves while speaking on the floor so what is recorded on video and audio tape disagree with the printed official record in the Congressional Record has finally gotten to their last active brain cell.
Well said! I am sick and tired of bloviating politicians trying to undermine our troops.
DO THESE POS CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS REALIZE THAT WE WERE ATTACKED BY BLOODTHIRSTY BARBARIANS ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001?
LOL! I wouldn't even trade Feingold and Kohl for Hagel. NE is usually very conservative - what the heck is wrong with you people? :-)
Potential? This man has NO potential. He'll be lucky to capture 1% of the primary votes.
What do people in Nebraska think of him and his constant criticism of Bush?
Anyone...
However, in pointing out the "hypocrisy of the Dems", the President is also illuminating the hypocrisy of the esteemed Senator Charles "Just call me Chuck" Hagel (R-BS).
Therein lies the rub...
From the best political cartoonist in the USA...and a conservative, Eric Allie!
Dang good letter.
Only as a Democrat
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