Hagel Still Vague On Political Future

Republican Nebraska Senator And Outspoken Iraq War Critic Will Wait On Announcing White House Run

(CBS/AP)  Born Charles Timothy Hagel in North Platte on Oct. 4, 1946, he spent his childhood moving from one Nebraska town to the next as his father managed various lumber yards.

Hagel's father died while the future senator was still in high school. After that, Hagel helped his mother raise his three younger brothers.

It wasn't until 1996 that Hagel — then a political unknown — made his first bid for public office, garnering 62 percent of the vote to soundly defeating Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg in the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Jim Exon. He went on to win the general election, scoring 56 percent of the vote against the Democratic candidate, incumbent Gov. Ben Nelson.

Nelson was elected in his second try for the Senate in 2000.

Hagel was re-elected in 2002, winning 83 percent of the vote against Democrat Charlie Matulka, an unemployed construction worker.

The political speculation generated by Hagel's announcement Monday is the most seen in the state since Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., called a similar news conference regarding his political future nine years ago.

Kerrey, who had run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992, surprised Nebraskans and Washington politicos alike by announcing not only by not only dismissing a run for president, but announcing his decision not to seek a third term in the Senate.

Despite Hagel's rifts with Republicans on Iraq, he chafes at suggestions that he is less-than-conservative, pointing to his desire to reduce the scope of the federal government and give more control to states and cities. He opposes abortion rights and has said the only exception for abortion should be when the life of the mother is in danger.

Hagel is a familiar figure on political talk shows, a comfortable format for the one-time Nebraska and Iowa newscaster and talk show host who got his training at the Brown Institute for Radio and Television in Minneapolis, Minn.

Hagel first gained national prominence as co-chairman of Sen. John McCain's 2000 presidential bid. Hagel's no-nonsense, speak-your-mind style on foreign policy and national security led to his countless guest appearances on such news shows as NBC's "Meet the Press," CBS' Face the Nation and CNN's "Late Edition."

Hagel has served as a deputy whip for the Republican Party, but his independence and bluntness have often ruffled his more senior Republican colleagues.

He first got a taste of life as a beltway insider the early 1970s. After graduating from college in 1971, he joined the staff of U.S. Rep. John McCollister, R-Neb., in Washington. He spent six years with the representative, serving as an administrative assistant and later as senior congressional aide.

He later became a lobbyist and campaigned heavily for Ronald Reagan in 1980. He served briefly as deputy administrator of the Veterans' Administration under Reagan.

In 1982, he left the VA to become co-founder, director and president of Collins, Hagel and Clarke Inc., an international consulting, marketing and investment company involved in cellular telecommunications. In 1985, he became co-founder, director and executive vice president of Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc. and chairman of Communications Corporation International LTD.

Hagel's success in the private sector made him a millionaire.

He served as president and chief executive officer for the World USO from 1987 to 1990.

Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, have two children, 16-year-old daughter Allyn and 14-year-old son Ziller.

[scott4261]

You know, that's just asinine. Chuck Hagel is a conservative on every issue, but he happens to be against this illegal and immoral war. Please think before you post!

[valendug]

Give it up, old man, and do us a favor and retire. It's time for new Democratic faces and not the same old republiKKKcon losers, including yourself.

[scott4261]

rplat,

The Republicans may suffer the same fate as the Whigs in the not too distant future.

[noaanhc]

As a Democrat,Chuck Hagel is one of the few Republicans that I have the greatest respect for.
Hagel sees clearly,unlike other more far right members of his party,the disater in Iraq and our need to change the policy there and get our troops out.If only the rest of the GOP had more moderate members such Hagel,John McCain,
John Warner,Susan Collins and Olympia Snow,
they could once again be the great party that they use to be.

[rplat]

Hagel is an idiot and if he persists in this foolish charade then he should run as a Democrat, or an independent, or he could even reenergize the Whig Party. With any luck the good people of Nebraska will dump him in 2008.

[ekucrew]

At least Hagel SERVED his country ....unlike the multiple cluckers from both sides of the aisle who yap about "how WE ( hahaha "WE" ) need to win this war" but they hid behind deferments during Vietnam.

[randalds]

Wait a minute. He built this press conference up as making a big announcement and then he doesn't? He called a press conference to say if he was going to run for office or not and then he only announced that he can't make up his mind? Yep...he's a republican for sure.

[scott4261]

Unfortunately, that's probably true, frankly6.

[frankly6]

He doesn't parot the Republican mantras so he probably wouldn't have a chance running as a Republican.

[one_american]

"We can't change the outcome of Iraq by putting American troops in the middle of a civil war."
- Chuck Hagel, Shoe Salesman

Stick to selling shoes, Chucky.

[gwagener]

Why is it news when someone doesn't do something? There are lots of people who didn't declare candicy for president yesterday and it wasn't news, so why is it news that Hagel din't declare?

[j-whitman]

Hurrican FEMA strikes Louisiana Poor --- Thanks alot you Bush Christians -- Family Friendly Administration My Asss.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17575595/

[scott4261]

"....the Nebraska Republican called President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq 'the most dangerous foreign policy blunder carried out since Vietnam.'"
----------
Chuck Hagel is certainly more conservative on most issues than I. But on the Iraq war, he is absolutely correct. This war has been a disastrous mistake. In fact, if he were the Republican nominee running against Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee, I might just vote Republican in a presidential race for the first time in 24 years!

I have enormous respect for this man and give him credit for standing up to the neo-con right. He is a dying breed. A TRUE conservative.

[jerr11]

I am an independent and Hagel is the only Republican I would vote for.

He is a voice of honesty and conscience in a party of crooks, liars, greedy war profiteers, adulterers, and and sleazeballs.

[campbelldj]

RUN CHUCK RUN!!!!