Chuck Hagel voted for the Iraq War

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Plus he's a right-wing social conservative.

The fact the he started criticizing the war when it became a disaster means he was in the mainstream of the Democratic Party.

One one issue.

Once.

(I'll be fair and add sabre rattling vis a vie Iran as a separate issue, so twice if one prefers.)

If one had to pick Hagel or McCain as President it would require some careful consideration. Hagel would be better as Commander in Chief, but it would take a lot of study to be sure which of the two you would rather have appointing judges. (Probably McCain by a nose.)

If people think being against the Iraq War after the fact makes someone a liberal then why not put Pat Buchanan on the ticket? He opposed the Iraq War before it started.

Doesn't make him a reasonable choice to talk about for the vice presidency or cabinet posts though, does it?

[anonymous171]

1. No senators for VP.

[NattPang]

2. He shouldn't be the Vice Presidential pick,

but cabinet consideration is ok by me.

[ruggerson]

5. Why?

If reaching across the aisle is so necessary for some cabinet picks (and I don't think it is), why not go for Republicans who agree with most of our agenda?

[ruggerson]

3. But there seems to be a Hagel fan club here at DU

They don't want reality rearing its ugly head.

Thanks for the dose of sanity.

[Phx_Dem]

12. No offense,

but I don't think those of us who like Chuck Hagel need you to tell us about him. I'm well aware that he is conservative thankyouverymuch, and I don't see anyone clamoring for Hagel as VP. Some people, myself included, think Hagel (in all of his conservativeness) would make a good cabinet member. You can disagree with that assessment, but don't insult us by insinuating that we're too stupid or uninformed to know who Chuck Hagel is. I'm sure we're all well aware of his conservative record. I know I am.

I happen to think having people with differing views is a good thing. Yes men are a dime a dozen and do nothing to help inform a president.

[ruggerson]

14. Did I say that

you were too stupid or uninformed? I wrote that some don't want reality rearing it's ugly head. Meaning to be reminded of the depth of his rightwing voting record. I understand that some of you are well aware of his anti choice stance, his anti environtmental record, his anti GLBT rights voting history and STILL think he would be a good cabinet member. I disagree with you.

Might I ask, since there are a number of Republicans who are far more progressive on most issues than Hagel, why does he need to be in the cabinet? Wouldn't bipartisanship work as well, if not better, with Lincoln Chafee, Bill Weld, Olympia Snow or Susan Collins? Why does it have to be someone divisive?

[jenmito]

4. I don't know why ANYONE here thinks Obama's considering Hagel as VP. They're simply going to Iraq

together along with Sen. Reed. That's all.

[ruggerson]

6. There are quite a few people here

mentioning him as both a Veep candidate or a Cabinet pick.

Why? You got me.

[jenmito]

7. I saw that, but I still don't know why. Maybe because the media keeps bringing his name up as a

"possible" VP pick? But whenever they bring it up, almost EVERYONE says no WAY.

[ruggerson]

8. Hagel and Nunn are both total non-starters

I think Obama knows this. But others don't, apparently.

[jenmito]

9. I agree. I saw that thread asking if people would like Hagel if he had a (D) by his name...

and I didn't even bother-it should be so obvious.

[jobycom]

10. It helps Obama to have his name tossed about as a VP.

Gives the appearance of bi-partisan support for Obama, and by Obama. No way he's the pick, though.

You gotta wonder what Obama's up to, though. Nunn, now Hagel? Maybe he's trying to kill any talk of being too liberal for the general.

[mucifer]

11. I hope Hagel endorses Obama. But, I don't want Obama giving him any

positions in his administration. He really is right wing in 99% of his positions:

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Chuck_Hagel.htm

[Condem]

13. Golly gee!

So did John Edwards. Hillary Clinton. Get fucking real, people. What a terrible thing! I wish I had a vision of the future.