Hagel Says Republican Party Must Change

(CBS)  In recent weeks, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., has seemed to go against the Republican party and has even suggested that he might consider running for president as an independent. Appearing on Face the Nation he said if he runs, he will do so as a Republican but hopes his party can shift back to the center.

Hagel has been one of the most outspoken Republican critics of President George W. Bush's handling of the Iraq war, and he continues to try to force his party to adopt a new strategy — not just with the war but in it's overall philosophy.

On Face the Nation he criticized the way his party has changed over the years.

"For example, the Republican Party, interestingly enough as the new chairman of the Republican Party said in his acceptance speech two days ago, needs to get back to what it once stood for," Hagel, a Vietnam veteran, continued. "The party that I first voted for on top of a tank in Mekong Delta 1968 is not the party I see today."

Hagel said that right now he's "not a candidate for any office," but he will make a decision about the 2008 race soon. Earlier, Hagel said on C-SPAN that he would consider running for president as an independent, but he told Bob Schieffer that he will stay a Republican. What it means to be a Republican, he said, is what should change.

"I think we are living through one of the great historical, political reorientations of our time," he said. "I think we are seeing defined right now through the process — and it will continue right up to November of next year — a new center of gravity for both parties based on beliefs, philosophies."

If he runs, Hagel said his candidacy would not be solely based on the Iraq war. He will try to return his party to a platform based on fiscal responsibility, trade and smaller government.

But, Hagel, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is the co-sponsor of a high-profile resolution opposing the expansion of the war in Iraq.

The resolution, which is also sponsored by Senator Olympia Snow, R-Maine, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., will "put congress on record" and encourage debate, Hagel said.

"I want every member of the United States Senate to have to take a position on this," Hagel said. "We have kids dying every day."

The president's plan to send a "surge" of American troops into Iraq to quell sectarian violence is a mistake, Hagel said.

"I think, for whatever reason, the advice he got was not very solid," he said. "It is wrong to put American troops in the middle of a sectarian civil war."

Even though Vice President Dick Cheney says talk of resolutions undercuts the troops, Hagel said he would have welcomed similar congressional action when he was fighting in Vietnam.

"We're Article 1 of the Constitution," he said. "We are a co-equal branch of government. Are we not to participate? Are we not to say anything? Are we not to register our sense of where we're going in this country on foreign policy? Bottom line is this. Our young men and women and their families, these young men and women who are asked to fight and die deserve a policy worthy of those sacrifices."

[rickylee9]

Senator Hagel. You did you bump your head? glad you were not on my tank crew. You were not the only one in Vietnam. however just one of the few in Congress. Troop reinforcements are a good thing. America is doing great things all over the world Except in Congress. President Bush is Right you are wrong.

[rickylee9]

Senator Hagel. You did you bump your head? glad you were not on my tank crew. You were not the only one in Vietnam. however just one of the few in Congress. Troop reinforcements are a good thing. America is doing great things all over the world Except in Congress. President Bush is Right you are wrong.

[jackstraus2]

If you support Bush's war in Iraq because you believe it is in the best interests of America, then answer this question. If a Democrat president had invaded Iraq, would you feel the same way about the war? As Sean Hannity says " Don't evade the issue, just answer yes or no." Now consider whether you are first a conservative or an American.

[jimbo miller]

i seem to be comment happy this evening, but after veiwing the sen hagel interview with political bob, I was impressed by the manner in which he slated the competence of the current administration.

His criticism of the president, was in my opinion,carried out with effortless ease

The fact that the president had commented, and admitted that a re-evaluation of the tactics and planning as regards the situation in iraq, holds no water with the majority of americans. you cannot re-evaluate the lifes of the victims,on all sides of this oil driven war.....is there not a case for impeaching the most incompetent, muleish, and arrogant president in your history...mactoop the scot

[jimbo miller]

as i have a relative in afghanistan mr bush
have you forgotten that al qeda over there is growing stronger by the day, and remember that is their primary stronghold......DO you do remember? their leader mr bush, I suppose however, instead of Bin Laden occupying your thoughts,it may well be the TEAR LADEN members of the families that have lost their coragous kith and kin.
mactoop from scotland

[jimbo miller]

well done sen. Hagel
It is my contention that most of the brave young souls doing bush and co's dirty work in iraq are probably economic conscripts Although they knew the risks of joining the us military they were perhaps not aware that their own c.i.c.'s so called Plan for winning the peace? would contribute to the death of so many of their comrades.. I am amazed at the way mr bush goes around god blessing everything that moves, so i will cut to the chase....God has not and will not, save any of the brave youngsters in harms way Mr Bush, but you could..jiggler mactoop scotland

[rillifane]

FARTKNOCKER2

I was running for office thrity years ago and debating my opponent who is an African American at a predominantly Black church.

He pulled the same thing, holding up his hand and urign the audience to "vote for the man who looks like you."

When it was my turn I said "If you think that Mike has made a good point then certainly it is your right to vote for him on that basis. But before you do, go and get a dictionary and look up the word HYPOCRITE."

The audience was stunned and dead silence prevailed. Them, a well known reporter for a local black newspaper, Al "Big City" Wallace, stood up and began applauding and shouted out "Preach Brother Eric, preach." The audience then also rose to their feet and began to applaud. They would not quiet down until my opponent apologized to me.

What it takes is for people to genuinely purge themselves of prejudice and then speak out sincerely and without fear. But when you speak out make sure that you can look into your own heart and know that you do so with love and respect for all people. If you have that then the message will be heard.

[jimbo miller]

i am glad that one republican has vociferously
criticised that buffoon bush...with the seemingly
ceaseless carnage in iraq, it is plain to everyone that he probably did not take the views of the more moderate members of his cabinet before he decided to smoke out the non existant
al qeda operatives in 1raq...He is so pig headed and brained that it was he and his fellow hawks
who created this mess...... It seems to be the trait, that an american politician has to go about god blessing everything that moves.... So ill get straight to the point GOD hasnt or cannot save these brave young souls in Iraq, but heres the rub MR PRESIDENT you could..mactoop the scot

[rillifane]

huskerarmy

I will take your word for it that this was Eisenhower's attitude. But then, at the time, I recall that my neighbors in NYC, who overwhelmingly voted for the Liberal Party had equally repulsive views on race. If I did not that was largely an accident of my own birth (as a mixed race individual).

To be fair, we ought to consider individuals in the context of their times. Eisenhower sent the troops, which was the right thing to do both legally and morally even if he had wrongful views generally. My neighbors in NYC changed as have many other people I've met over the years. Many of them became ardent supporters of civil rights. I applaud the change rather than condemn the history.

I had dinner one evening with Strom Thurmond, as wicked a racist as ever lived. We talked about his campaign as Dixiecrat candidate in 1948. Suddenly he stopped, realizing he was talking to a veteran of the civl rights struggle. "Different times" he said. I agreed. I saw genuine regret in his eyes. He was, beyond question, a brilliant man, and he realized he had been wrong. He could have been great man had he chosen, in 1948 to champion civil rights. Instead whatever else he might have done is overshadowed by that moment.

Thinking about that makes me a more forgiving person.

[huskerarmy]

"And it was Eisenhower who didn't hesitate to send troops to Little Rock to enforce that court's orders."

While Eisenhower professed that he would obey the Brown decision, he privately defended the racism of Southern whites, telling Warren that they "are not bad people. All they are concerned about is to see that their sweet little girls are not required to sit in school alongside some big overgrown Negro."