What idiot thought of Obama/Hagel?

[johncoby2]

Seriously. I just saw NBC claiming that Hagel a pro-life Senator could be a VP possibility for Obama. What idiot believes this?

[adoraz]

1. personally I like him a lot, but I don't think its a good idea

because I think most other Democrats would be against him.

[ErinBerin84]

2. its really funny watching the media act like they know what they're talking about

It's like the "Oooh...I know he said no, but what about AL GORE for VP?!"

Obama/Hagel is not gonna happen, I don't know how they possibly fool themselves into thinking it could.

[adoraz]

3. They care about ratings

and Hagel for VP makes a much more interesting story than a far more likely choice such as Biden or Clark would.

I doubt it will happen, but I can guarantee you that Hagel is on the short list (the same one Hillary is probably on). Neither has a shot, but they like to float the idea to appeal to their supporters.

[babylonsister]

4. What idiot believes this current Newsweek poll?

Or are Americans that dumbed down?

As for Hagel, I'm sure he will be a very lovely traveling companion to Iraq, but that's all he'll be.
Unless Obama, in his quest to embrace the right, would consider Hagel for SecDef. I could deal with that, but nothing else.

[MH1]

6. I think Dems usually try to find a republican to accompany them on trips to Iraq

make it a "bipartisan" thing and all that.

Hagel may have been the only repub willing to go with Obama in this election year, and I give him props for that. It also looks good for Obama to appear to be listening to Hagel's experience.

No way is Obama dumb enough to put an R on the ticket, though. Unless it appears that's the ONLY way to win, but I don't think anyone could ever know that with enough certainty to take such a risky action.

I think this is just the M$M trying to make money.

[babylonsister]

8. I think you're right, MH1. And Hagel was the perfect 'go to' guy

as a rethug because his opinion of the war is similar to Obama's. Also, Jack Reed is going. Very smart man with a military history, who also wants an end to this 'occupation'.

And yes, the m$m wants to create a conflict whether there is one or not, for money and ratings.
I take everything I see and hear with a grain of salt, though I still get beyond annoyed.

[Sensitivity]

5. I think those are Chuck Hagel and Barack Obama -- Their actions have sent the message

[MH1]

7. Which actions?

See my post above about Hagel accompanying Obama to Iraq.

Of course there may also be some intentional misdirection to deflect attention from the other Senator accompanying them on that trip.

[NorthCarolina]

9. To be honest, I don't think I could support a candidacy with Hagel on the ticket

I hope that there is zero possibility of such a match up.

[JoFerret]

27. iI would be damned hard to do so

with any enthusiasm that is for sure.

But it is hard to imagine that happening.

Not time to worry yet.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Obama wouldn't be this obvious about it, as to take his VP on a trip right

before he announced his pick--and it won't be Hagel. It would be wayy too complicated a situation, and even if Obama wants him (like Hillary was considering), he probably knows it would create more of a headache than anything else. Jack Reed might be his VP, but then we'd lose a Senate seat.

[babylonsister]

12. I really like Jack Reed and floated his name months ago. But

he doesn't fit the criteria imo that Obama is looking for. I still like him.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Actually, I can't imagine a better pick for Obama than Reed--

he's a really smart, experienced, well-educated guy, West Point and Harvard grad, former Ranger, knows the military inside and out, expert on Iraq, sits on the Banking Committee, consistent progressive, voted against the war, Catholic, nice young family, not too old, low-key and not gaffe-prone, comes across as just nice and very competent. But, with a GOP gov, we'd definitely lose his seat, and he's running for re-election this year. He's also said he would not accept the VP slot if offered, but he might change his mind if duty calls, I suppose. I can't believe useless goofballs like Evan Bayh are even considered when there's Reed.

[babylonsister]

15. Wow! I'm sold - again! But would he help solidify the NE?

He does have a great resume, and he is a gentle giant imo. And yes, I've also read he isn't interested.

[TwilightGardener]

16. I think Obama doesn't care too much about region in his VP choice--I also think

it says a great deal that out of all Democrats, Obama chose Reed to accompany him. That's an honor--it means Obama trusts him more than anyone else not to blow it on a high-profile tour. So they already work well together.

[Inuca]

24. Gentle giant?

Are you making fun of Reed's small stature :-)?

[Myrina]

21. Reed makes Bayh look like a bedwetting 5 year old ...

... who can't decide between mac n cheese or tater tots with his happy meal ...

[TwilightGardener]

22. Bwah!

[Mass]

17. It wont be Reed. RI has a Republican governor.

In addition, while he is very competent in his domain of expertise and very liberal, he is very soft spoken and I cannot see him in the attack dog role that is typically the one of a vice presidential nominee.

[ccharles000]

11. ...

He will never be VP.

[Peacetrain]

14. I know Chuck Hagel

I have met him, he is from the state next to me. There are not that many of us out here,we get to know each other on all sides of the stick. Hagel is a damn decent human being,but he will never be VP for Obama, not even if he changed parties.

We are the Democratic Party. We are putting a Democrat in the 2nd position. The media is playing this along with the idea of a McCain/Lieberman ticket.They are running low (the media) on anything to jawbone about 24/7. Speculate, speculate, make up if you have to, anything to feed the corporate media machine. Its a buisness that runs on rumor. A very big buisness.

Of course if the Dems kick out Lieberman, and the Repubs kick out Hagel for endorsing Obama, well we are off to the races.. but then you could see Hagel in the cabinet..but never VP.. IMHO

[mucifer]

18. Just a reminder on hagel's voting record on different issues

Poor on civil rights
Poor on gay/lesbian rights
Pro-business
Increase penalty for drug offenses
Opposed to energy independence
Anti-environment
Pro-free trade
anti-public health
Anti-union
pro-privatized social security
Anti-choice





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

Please tell me how he could be good for the country.


Please tell

[TheFarseer]

19. This is only feasible

for people who think Iraq is the only issue in this election.

oh, and for media who just want to stir up a story.

[Myrina]

20. ... the same idiot who wanted a Kerry/McCain ticket in 2004 ...

:wtf:

[Motown_Johnny]

23. Check some of the VP polls here.... he does much better than he should (1 vote is to many)

[TwilightGardener]

25. By the way, the "idiot" was Ted Sorenson, JFK speechwriter--

he recommended to Caroline Kennedy to consider vetting Hagel for Obama, from what I read.

[JoFerret]

26. Not me

But it's a smart move on Obama's part to make nice with Hagel. Sticks the wedge in and they do have stuff in common.
But VP? nah - that has to be just crap speculation.
If it become true then it would be time to take up the pitchforks.

[jobycom]

28. Barrack Obama, probably, and it's not idiocy.

It would be idiocy to actually pick him, but not to get the press believing that Obama is so sincere about being a new type of politician and a uniter that he would consider a Republican VP. It had the added benefit that Hagel hasn't denounced the rumor, giving the appearance that Hagel is happier with Obama than with McCain.

Makes Obama look bi-partisan. Also, it counters Lieberman's sidling up to McCain, by showing Obama as having cross-party support, too. (Not that Lieberman's a Democrat, but he's still portrayed that way by the media at times).

Now, actually picking Hagel would be idiocy. I'm assuming the Obama camp isn't that dumb, though.

[Sensitivity]

29. I accept the choice of our NOMINEE. Hagel is rumored to be on the Short List. That's his perogative

And I am sure he would not be in the vetting process without Obama's go-ahead.

[jobycom]

30. Oue NOMINEE is a politician, like any other, only seemingly better.

He has been using the VP campaign to brilliant advantage so far. He's given Clinton enough exposure to placate many of her followers (and still may choose her), and he's rewarded other supporters with increased exposure by batting their names around. Samm Nunn (whom he can't possibly have considered), Bill Richardson (whose support was well-timed during the primary), Chris Dodd (who opposed the FISA bill, so linking to is name indicates that no rift was caused), Hagel...

Obama, or more likely Axelrod with Obama's okay, is no fool, and is handling this well. Who he picks, we will see. Might not even be any of the names rumored.