Persistent Bush critic and recurring Sunday morning talk show fixture Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is announcing his retirement from the U.S. Senate. Reporting the story in the Sunday paper, the Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman and Chris Cillizza described the Iraq war critic as a "mainstream conservative who raised his profile nationally through his fierce opposition to President Bush's Iraq policies."
While it is true that Hagel has a respectable 85.2 (out of a possible 100) lifetime score from the American Conservative Union, the Associated Press's Anna Jo Bratton more colorfully described the senator as "a thorn in his party's side when it comes to Iraq." The characterization is apt but perhaps a bit charitable given the retiring politician's suggestion that President Bush could be impeached over the war.
While both the Bratton and Post accounts focused on Hagel's retirement as another obstacle in the uphill battle for control of the Senate in 2008, neither article mentioned that Hagel made an oblique reference in March to the potential to impeach President George W. Bush over the Iraq war:
GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a frequent critic of the war, stopped short of calling for Bush’s impeachment. But he made clear that some lawmakers viewed that as an option should Bush choose to push ahead despite public sentiment against the war.
“Any president who says, I don’t care, or I will not respond to what the people of this country are saying about Iraq or anything else, or I don’t care what the Congress does, I am going to proceed — if a president really believes that, then there are — what I was pointing out, there are ways to deal with that,” said Hagel, who is considering a 2008 presidential run.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters















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Hagel
September 10, 2007 - 13:15 ET by allanfPerhaps Hagel is retiring because he realizes he cannot even win the nomination in his home state. Very similar to what John Edwards faced in 2000.
Whether he is courageous or foolish, it is a retirement that is welcome.
Sometimes, I think the
September 10, 2007 - 13:18 ET by Chris NormanSometimes, I think the MSM writes these descriptions with the specific intent of ticking us off.
whos who
September 10, 2007 - 13:28 ET by TruthMongerYa know Thompson used to be a "mainstream conservative" as well - until he started running for Prez, but today he's still "extreme right wing...!"
You are what the MSM calls you:)!*
*subject to changes and restrictions - please check daily for updates per your voting record, policy reverals, and general comments you might make from time to time
"Mainstream Conservative":
September 10, 2007 - 15:19 ET by Chris Norman"Mainstream Conservative": Anti-Bush Conservative the MSM can live with.
"Extreme Conservative": Equivalent of a child porn advocate
What a joke
September 10, 2007 - 13:21 ET by whatajoy"Hagel, who is considering a 2008 presidential run."
Oh, please. Give me a break. President Bush will NEVER be impeached, no matter what anyone says. Bush has made our country safer and has eliminated and arrested terrorist cells and members. Hagel is a joke, and I agree, a thorn in the President's party. Good riddance.
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Take it easy! We're not making a western here.
~ Uncle Junior (The Sopranos)
One less RINO
September 10, 2007 - 13:24 ET by mattmGood riddance. Let's get a real conservative in that seat.
At this point, I'd settle
September 10, 2007 - 13:27 ET by Chris NormanAt this point, I'd settle for a party loyalist. Please, no more "GOP Mavericks"...
I was robbed
September 10, 2007 - 13:31 ET by TadpoleI wanted so badly to see the primary votes crush this jerk Hagel. We in Nebraska could no longer stomach his tripe. Good riddance. If Former senator Kerry thinks he has a chance......Hahahahahahahaha. RIGHT!
"...the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done."
Hagel's announcement that he
September 10, 2007 - 13:44 ET by TEHagel's announcement that he will not seek reelection is bad news for ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, MSDNC, NPR, et al. Which person will they now turn to when they want to feature a "Republican" who completely agrees with the Democrat guest on their programs?
How about Alien, I mean
September 10, 2007 - 19:17 ET by BlazerHow about Alien, I mean Arlen Sphincter, dadgummit, I meant Algae Speculum, crap!........... never mind.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Hagel about as mainstream and the flat Platte
September 10, 2007 - 13:58 ET by Lame CherryNo offense to the few good people in Nebraska, but Hagel is representative of the Platte, a flat, wide covering, shifting sandy positions and worthless river.
He never has had any staying power and there is nothing mainstream about him. He is a sissy town twirp more akin to imported flaps who serve in the air force. He is a dude an allot like a 1000 dollar suit at a hog manure pitching day..........might look ok, but what are you going to do with it.
God's by Chuck Hagel and good ridance. May you take Tim Johnson and the Klobechar hag of Minnesota with you to the BS home.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Hagel loved in Neb.
September 10, 2007 - 17:27 ET by Night WatchmanHe sure is loved in Nebraska.
Hagel's numbers
I know someone who would do back flips for polls like this.
RINO
September 10, 2007 - 19:57 ET by Jerry MackSay good bye to another RINO.