Hagel Defends Criticisms of Iraq Policy

WP ^ | November 16, 2005 | Glenn Kessler

[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.

[El Gato]

"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."

IIRC, didn't the President say that it was everyone's right to disagree with him. What was a problem was revising history to make your arguments.

a potential presidential candidate in 2008,

In his dreams

...

And ONLY in his dreams.

[Lancey Howard]

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."

So this is Hagel's reaction to the White House's attempt to FINALLY answer the Democrats after MONTHS of attacks? Hagel didn't make a peep when it was a daily one-sided attack by the Democrats, but he's upset NOW because the White House is responding by exposing the Democrats' lies and hypocrisy??

Wow. Hagel is a real p.o.s.
He needs to be dumped ASAP. When is this sick scumbag up for re-election?

[rlmorel]

I have Barney Frank, and raise you a Kennedy and a Kerry...

(Rakes all the money off of the table...)

[MNJohnnie]

America is safest when congress is out of session

Thanks for my new tag line!

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

It looks like the full blown yellow stripe showed up today on the Pubbie backs. They cut the President and the people off at the knees 79-19. I wish it wasn't so predictable. Pubbies thy name is LOSER.

[bray]

Hey Bagle, criticizing the CIC with unsubstantiated charges gives comfort and aid to the enemy. This bozo thinks the war is a game and we will forget his treason.

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[jveritas]

Thanks. I am very, very, very angry. I just want something great and big to happen soon like capturing or killing of Zarqawi or Bin Laden or Zawahiri so I enjoy the misery and crushing defeat of those traitors in the democrat party, their media whores, and also of those back stabbing republicans like Hagel.

[MNJohnnie]

Thanks. I am very, very, very angry.

Me too. And when they lose me, they lose the very rock of the base. I have fought and defended and door knocked and phone called and donated $$$$$$ and when they betray us on the war, they leave NOTHING to be loyal TOO. They got ONE chance. Get Alito confirmed by Jan 31st, 2006. Fail that test and I there is absolutly nothing left for us in the Senate.

[John3074]

Hey, try living in Connecticut and having Dodd and Lieberman.

[Mike10542]

I'll take Lieberamn over Hagel. He had a great speech today about Iraq and why he has always supported the mission.

[MHT]

How do you spell "loser"? H-A-G-E-L. And he better get used to it because this 15-minutes of fame in the Senate is as far as this SOB is going to go.

[Christian4Bush]

****"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." ***

If Mr. Hagel can read, I would like him to read the comments that the President made on Friday, Veterans' Day, especially the bolded part, to see if the President understands that each...oh, the hell with it. There's no arguing with an opportunistic senator...

THE PRESIDENT: When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support. I also recognize that some of our fellow citizens and elected officials didn't support the liberation of Iraq. And that is their right, and I respect it. As President and Commander-in-Chief, I accept the responsibilities, and the criticisms, and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision.

While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began.

[KCRW]

You win!

[rlmorel]

LOL...sadly, I knew it was no contest...like fish in a barrel...:(

[Uncle Vlad]

Everyone I know here despises him. We have a larger-than-average percentage of our population in active military, stationed in Iraq.

Hagel should know better. Every time he opens his fat mouth, al-Jezzerah quotes him. What do you think that does to the morale of our troops?

Here are some anecdotes that give some hope this POS will not be elected:

Even though I'm a registered independent, I still attend an occasional Republican party function. Senator Hagel has been conspicuously absent. In fact, it seems the only time he comes into Nebraska is to make an irresponsible anti-war statement or to meet with advocacy groups for illegal immigrants.

From what everyone tells me, his support has been steadily eroding for the last two years. I hope his political career will be over soon.

[TSchmereL]

Hagel is a rat.

He is not speaking out about the people calling the President a liar.

[stocksthatgoup]

Email Chuckie

[pointsal]

HAGEL....THE WHOOSIE

[Rosemont]

Hagel does whatever Biden tells him.