Hagel Meets His Match

The New York Sun ^ | June 6, 2007 | Unattributed

[gpapa]

The attorney general of Nebraska, Jon Bruning, stopped by our office yesterday to let us know that tomorrow he will announce he will challenge Senator Hagel in the Republican primary, which is in May of 2008. A poll conducted for Mr. Bruning shows him leading Mr. Hagel among likely Republican primary voters by 9 percentage points. Mr. Bruning assails Mr, Hagel for being, "The Republican that talks like a Democrat," pointing to Mr. Hagel's support for a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, as well as his discussion of impeaching President Bush. "He's become arrogant and out of touch," Mr. Bruning said. "His constituent services are very poor."

[Theodore R.]

NE people are very cautious and hesitant by nature. They may tell you they don’t think Hagel is representing them on immigration and Iraq, but they will still quietly vote to reelect him.

[Theodore R.]

For some reason, SC people really seem to like Lindsey Graham. It’s part of the mystique of coming from ThurmondLand.

[George W. Bush]

NE people are very cautious and hesitant by nature. They may tell you they don’t think Hagel is representing them on immigration and Iraq, but they will still quietly vote to reelect him.

A herd of cats. Being an all-Red state doesn't mean Nebraska is actually very conservative. Still, they denied Osborne the governorship, largely over the in-state tuition for illegals issue. So you never know.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Absolutely! This is the level where the RINOs need to lose...in the primaries! More power to this guy! Go for it!

Absolutely. We fight it out in the primaries and then stay united in our desire to defeat RATS.

I'll be sending a contribution.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

My family has seven votes in Nebraska and I can tell you they will not be voting Hagel. They can’t stand him.

[zerosix]

I actually added lots more of those guys/gals than Hagel.

In fact, my mention was "you guys don't back enforcing the 1986 Simpson - Masoli Bill, so forget my money..... until that happens (I presume I'll be counting my investment dividends for decades with my would be donation.)

[Shazolene]

I heard this guy on Mark Levin last night. He was great. All the right positions, and a good speaker. Mark liked him, he can’t be too bad! :-)

FR should identify talented republicans for primaries opposing those who tried to screw us on Illegal Immigration. Forget RNC, let’s put our money on OUR guys!

This young man (only 38, but already he’s had 2 terms stage legislature, 2 as state AG) would be a good start.

[Theodore R.]

I remember reading in 1996 that General Colin Powell’s endorsement of Hagel gave him the GOP nomination because NE people think so highly of Powell.

[Theodore R.]

This has been done to an extent, but the Republican voters demand their incumbents, such as Lott in 2006.

[Theodore R.]

I had forgotten about the demise of Osborne, but again NE stuck with the incumbent. They did turn out a GOP incumbent in 1982 in favor of the popular Bob KERREY.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I remember when he started out in the Senate. He was a good guy and the friend of friends of mine. They liked him. I haven’t seen them in years so I don’t know what they think now. Hagel changed.

[George W. Bush]

I had forgotten about the demise of Osborne, but again NE stuck with the incumbent. They did turn out a GOP incumbent in 1982 in favor of the popular Bob KERREY.

Mentioning Kerrey's name is enough to make many middle-aged Republicans groan, recalling that they had ever voted for him. My brother, for instance.

Incumbency isn't everything here. But the state political machine (and there's only one, not two) getting behind a candidate makes him difficult to defeat, just as Bruning indicated to Levin.

[George W. Bush]

I heard this guy on Mark Levin last night. He was great. All the right positions, and a good speaker. Mark liked him, he can’t be too bad! :-)

He had a good appearance with Mark. He did acknowledge how uphill it would be if the state machine wants Hagel re-elected.

Bruning is a shoo-in if Hagel doesn't run. But if Hagel runs, money and support will flow to him, no matter what he's done. It's the newspapers and the banks and the CoC people. I've watched their machinations for years. I can't believe the voters are still so easily influenced by them.

Still, discontent with Hagel is high. Bruning could knock him off even with the Machine behind him.