Conservative Criticizes Palin's Qualifications (Chuck Hagel)

[Tesibria]

Context for Journal Entries: I'm in the process of compiling all the columns/articles written by "conservatives" either (a) against McCain/Palin, or (b) for Obama/Biden. Yes, I know that many are frequently posted in the Editorials or Other Articles. However, they're always mixed in with the many articles on other topics and I, personally want a "set" all in one place, for easy reference when discussing issues with conservatives. So, I'm posting them in my journal.

Sen. Hagel doubts Palin's ready
By: Joseph Morton. Omaha World-Herald, Sept. 18, 2008

Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska on Wednesday became the nation's most prominent Republican officeholder to publicly question whether Sarah Palin has the experience to serve as president.

"She doesn't have any foreign policy credentials," Hagel said in an interview. "You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything."
***
Palin has cited the proximity of Alaska to Russia as evidence of her international experience.

Hagel scoffed at that notion.

"I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, 'I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,'" he said. "That kind of thing is insulting to the American people."
***
In criticizing Palin, Hagel broke with other Nebraska Republicans, including Gov. David Heineman, who have praised the selection.
***
Hagel offered a couple caveats on his assessment of Palin: Experience is not the only qualification for elected officials — judgment and character are indispensable.

Washington experience isn't the only kind of experience, Hagel said, and he noted that many White House occupants have been governors with no time inside the Beltway.

"But I do think in a world that is so complicated, so interconnected and so combustible, you really got to have some people in charge that have some sense of the bigger scope of the world," Hagel said. "I think that's just a requirement."

So is Palin qualified to be president?

"I think it's a stretch to, in any way, to say that she's got the experience to be president of the United States," Hagel said.
***

Per other DU-ers' requests, I'm cross-posting links to these articles in the Research Forum: Conservatives Against McCain/Palin and Conservatives For Obama/Biden.

[Essene]

1. finally, hagel speaks out...

Good.

That's going to be a HUGE blow.

He's not stating campaign concerns like in many of the other cases being listed. Nor is he some pundit that can easily be blown off. He's a name that carries weight among middle americans and moderates.

[Tesibria]

2. He still says won't endorse either, but ...

... clearly, he's implicitly "ANTI-endorsing" McCain's ticket.

[liberal N proud]

3. Can we trade him for Lieberman?

[Pisces]

4. He is only stating what most Republicans think but won't say. No one with a brain can say

she is qualified.

[Pisces]

5. He is only stating what most Republicans think but won't say. No one with a brain can say

she is qualified.

[kansasblue]

6. They hate him like we hate Lieberman. It only make the Dems feel good.