Key Republican breaks with Bush on Mideast (Hagel)

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/31/hagel.mideast/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Urging President Bush to turn all U.S. efforts toward "ending this madness," a leading Republican senator Monday broke with the Bush administration and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Mideast.

"The sickening slaughter on both sides must end and it must end now," Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel said. "President Bush must call for an immediate cease-fire. This madness must stop."

Hagel said that refusal threatens to isolate the United States and Israel and harm chances of achieving a long-term peace in the region.

"How do we realistically believe that a continuation of the systematic destruction of an American friend -- the country and people of Lebanon -- is going to enhance America's image and give us the trust and credibility to lead a lasting and sustained peace effort in the Middle East?" asked Hagel, the No. 2 Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

[muntrv]

1. Hagel has also criticized Bush on the Iraq war.

Of course, Hagel is a Vietnam Vet who has seen action.

[stepnw1f]

2. Is This Political Posturing for the November Election?

Is he up for re-election? I really want to believe this guy is being honest, but have no confidence in the GOP at all.

[Moderator]

3. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2426244