Hagel Backing Obama? It's "Possible."

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Democrats

(AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Republican Sen. and Iraq war critic Chuck Hagel has been talked about a possible third-party presidential or vice presidential candidate, though that talk has significantly diminished with the success of Barack Obama's political campaign.

ON MSNBC's "Morning Joe" today, Hagel was asked if he would endorse presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

"John McCain is a very good friend," Hagel said. "But he and I obviously have some very significant differences on Iraq, on some other things. I may not endorse anyone."

Hagel was also asked if he would back Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama.

"It's possible, but I don't see that happening," Hagel said, adding: "My endorsement is irrelevant anyway for the success of any candidate."

There is some speculation that Obama, who trumpets his ability to reach across the aisle, could consider tapping Hagel as his running mate.

Meanwhile, Democrat Mario Cuomo penned an op-ed that ran in Saturday's Boston Globe calling for Obama and Hillary Clinton to form a joint ticket in order to avoid lasting damage to the party.

The response from the campaigns so far? Not encouraging.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by hungry4goodg April 2, 2008 3:35 PM EDT: Biden, Dodd, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich, Richardson and Vilsack didn''t try to be ''Rocky.'' The ''super-delegates'' need to play grown-up. Super-delegates, get some gumption and ''vote!'' I had to cast my vote back in February!; Reply to this comment


by drhtoyou April 2, 2008 12:24 PM EDT: I am a registered Republican who has chosen to vote for Sen. Obama for the presidency. At this point in American history, Sen. Obama is the only one who can and will initiate change and help to heal this country. With regard to Clinton, it absolutely astounds me that people would want the dirty Clinton machine of the 90''s back in office. Please, Americans, vote for Sen. Obama. Besides, he is the only candidate who can beat McCain as the republicans well know. That''s because they want Clinton to get the nomination. She''s beatable - Sen. Obama is not.
I pray that this decent, honorable man of integrity and intelligence, Sen. Obama, wins!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by lordmi April 2, 2008 8:33 AM EDT: Billary is competent only in Tales ,false all over and creating scandals.
Will Normal support that?

Where You see dirt - it smells with Clintons, and each Clinton smessl with dirt.; Reply to this comment


by jgunther7 April 2, 2008 8:08 AM EDT: It%u2019s amazing the way Barack Obama is drawing in support from so many diverse areas. The kind of people he is bringing together is the strong free thinkers like Chuck Hagel, Bill Richardson and Ted Kennedy. These are the people who can really drive our country forward. An Obama organisation doesn%u2019t look like it would be the one-man band type operation that we have now, or a government were everyone is a clone of the other. Divisive people like Hillary repel free thinkers and only surround themselves with syncopates.

Obama has changed our outlook to a bright future, and the sooner we get him the White House the better.; Reply to this comment


by rowdytexan2 April 1, 2008 9:48 PM EDT: Gads, they''ll run any freaking rumor into support for this incompetent arse!; Reply to this comment