Hagel to Iraq with Obama?

Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008 3:05 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones and NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The Wall Street Journal reports: "The buzz this week that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is planning to join Sen. Barack Obama on an up-coming visit to Iraq is correct, two sources with knowledge of the trip confirmed Friday.

"While it is standard practice for such trips—known as CODELS, or congressional delegations—to be bipartisan, in this highly charged election year it is likely to raise eyebrows that the retiring Nebraskan senator—a prominent Iraq War critic—is the Republican expected to join the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee on what is sure to be a closely watched visit to the region."

"We are not commenting on that," Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told First Read.

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Comments

I just hope that this is a preview of what the Democratic ticket will look like.

If people really want a change, add Hagel to the ticket. It would kill the Republicans to see one of their best and brightest become Obama's running mate.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:12 PM)

I'll take Hagel over Lieberman any day of the week.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:13 PM)

Smart choice - good match

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:19 PM)

Learning trip indeed. This proves that the trip will have him accompanied by a decorated, experienced wartime veteran (contrasting with McCain) to help provide a bipartisan second opinion on everything Obama learns on his next trip to Iraq. Someone who truly has the qualifications to understand the state of the war, based on the situation on the ground, and to help advise our next president, Obama on what refinements may be needed, if any, to his immediate agenda.

A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and by that measure team Obama is near impregnable today.

Matt, Idaho (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:21 PM)

I bet Hagel won't have to tell Obama the difference between Sunni and Shiite.

ID, GA (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:21 PM)

Hagel continues to be my favorite choice for VP

jim GR (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:22 PM)

Hagel is there to explain the military jargon to Obama. For example, 'Get lost idiot!' means 'We love you Barack!'.

Hanes Warder, Sioux City SD (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:24 PM)

Hagel is possibly the most in touch person in the senate with the American people. Fiscally conservative, socially moderate, and a hawk on military issues who realizes that our foreign policy priorities have been back a$$wards since we chose to ignore those who attacked us on 9/11 in favor of nation building, oil, and revenge in Iraq.

I still lean toward Biden for VP, but Hagel is my second choice. He would also make a great Sec. of State.

Big Mike, Missoula MT (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:25 PM)

It would be a wonderful thing for America if we could have a bipartisan ticket. I love Joe Biden, but think that both he, and Hagel are ready to be President.

donna (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:27 PM)

Has anyone bothered to ask if Chuck Hagel is being vetted by the Obama vetting team? If he is being vetted, that may be fun to watch. Yes, I would be happy with an Obama/Hagel ticket. I would prefer an Obama/Biden ticket. Keep us guessing Barack. It will be refreshing to trust the judgement of our leaders again. Oh, does anyone out there trust Bush's judgment? Or McBush III's judgment? McBush will have trouble remembering who he picked.

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:28 PM)

Hagel is there to explain the military jargon to Obama. For example, 'Get lost idiot!' means 'We love you Barack!'.
Hanes Warder, Sioux City SD
****

ooh. you are sooo clever. got anything useful to say>?

DV, CA (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:29 PM)

With regrads to Hagel, I feel sorry for the people of Nebraska. They thought they elected a solid, down to earth, common sense conservative, but instead, now they've got this mess of a man. It's a real shame.

Corey Fielder, Benton CO (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:29 PM)

Hey Ron from Indiana. Too bad your petty name calling and originality for using "McBush" will get you nowhere in November. Your state will vote for McCain no matter how many times you stomp your feet. Oh and keep it up w/ the VP guessing for Obama, folks. It's not going to matter anyways when he comes in 2nd place come 11/4/08

UrbanBrawl, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:33 PM)

I love the idea of Hagel on the trip! He should take Biden with him too - military AND diplomacy - a very strong message. I'd put Hagel and Biden up against swooning/whiny Lindsey and loser Lieberman ANY day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

Kate, Atlanta (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:33 PM)

Hagel is pro-life. I would be surprised if Obama chose a veep that's pro-life. I would also be surprised if McCain chose a veep that's pro-choice.

Mark, Salem,CT (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:35 PM)

All this talk about an Obama/Hagel ticket is preposterous. There is no way the the powers of the Dem party are going to place a republican in the second seat of command.

Do Dems really want someone as prolife as McCain in the second seat??

Biden is the only viable choice for him.

Lisa, NY (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:35 PM)

hael---the Democrats' Lieberman.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:35 PM)

I bet Hagel WILL have to give Obama a definition of Sunni and Shiite before he can explain the difference AND tell him the difference between strategy and tactics while Obama is on his graduation tour from "Community Organizer" school. McCain 08

Mark (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:36 PM)

Wonderful

Nj (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:42 PM)

Don't forget that Obama looks strong in the Mountain West. The latest poll of NORTH DAKOTA (out yesterday) has him TIED with McCain! Details: http://campaigndiaries.com/2008/07/10/thursday-polls-north-dakota-migrates-into-the-competitive-column/

Daniel, NY (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:46 PM)

Welcome to the real Dream Ticket.

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:46 PM)

Hagel would be great except that he is pro-life, which is a problem for me, in the rare chance he would become president. Although I don't know how set in stone this is with him, you kind of have to be pro-life to be a Republican these days. However, he'd also be a great Secy of State or Defense, and I would love to see him in the cabinet in any capacity. He lives near us here in No Va and he seems like a very regular guy, driving around in an open jeep and all-- I do have to say that Nebraska has one of the wildest license plates around--very bright colors!

LB, Virginia (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:47 PM)

I sure hope this is a fact.

Sen Hagel is my favorite Republican and I would like to see him as VP if Bill Richardson is not the one. If not VP then a cabinet position in Barack Obama's administration.

Thank you to all the level headed posters: Pat In Boston, Mark Seattle, Nashville, Brian, Ira, Donna, CK in Fl, Steve NY, Paul Va., there are others too numerous to mention. I dont always have time to post and sometimes it is long after the fact I get to read FR and the comments they are always enjoyable.

One thing FR, there are too many gossipy items lately, I think you can do better than this. Our Country is in very serious trouble and we need to pay close attention to the real problems. Peace.

gmhussein, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:48 PM)

Where are all those folks who don't think Obama can work across Party lines, now? This man has intelligence you can't imagine and he will make us very proud of our country, once again, after he's POTUS. I also would support a Hagel VP; not so sure about Biden. He seems to open mouth, insert foot on a regular basis.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:55 PM)

Mark (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:36 PM) - I bet Hagel WILL have to give Obama a definition of Sunni and Shiite before he can explain the difference AND tell him the difference between strategy and tactics while Obama is on his graduation tour from "Community Organizer" school. McCain 08

Naw Mark: It won't happen. Hagel has already tried to explain the difference between strategy and tactics to GWB and McCain and both could not get it. Most likely Obama will get it on his own if he does not already know and Hagel is pretty frustrated and fed up trying to explain the differences to anyone. Especially to those who failed to recognize the differences between proper strategy and tactics on the war on terror and who approved the invasion of Iraq.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:55 PM)

Hagel would be an outstanding running mate for Obama. He's from the heartland, he's somewhat conservative, and he has foreign policy experience. Also, his stance on Iraq shows just how out-of-touch the GOP is. I've read that the drawback of Hagel on the ticket would be lack of name recognition. That wouldn't be a problem. Dems need to siphon off as many Repub/Indy votes as possible, to win in November. What better way to do that, then to put a Repub on the ticket? It's even better than the Republicans' having cantankerous Zell Miller speak at their convention.

Dr. Don Key, Washington D.C. (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 3:59 PM)

This seems like it will be senators that are going will be able to answer questions on their own. Maybe there they will get some answers to hard questions as to when the Iraqis will get their asses in gear and start dealing with each other as human beings.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:01 PM)

I think Hagel is the next Sec of State, Biden the Sec Def and Edwards the VP

I think the polls are really beginning to tilt for Edwards... the overwhelming majority of people think that the homeless and needy should be addressed... its a strong progressive move and one that will bring in a lot of independents.

I also think it would be wise for Obama to announce his potential cabinet a day after the republican convention to kill any McCain bounce. Had Kerry done that... it may have helped.

Hillary very well could be the next AG.

ya know (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:05 PM)

To Mark.........It's a bet.

ID,GA (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:05 PM)

Can I go along too?

BJN Taos New Mexico (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:08 PM)

Given the "left" reaction to Obama on FISA there is no way Hagel would be his VP. There are too many policy differences btw him and Obama anyway(he's very conservative). But I hope he does consider endorsing after the trip. Mark..it's strange you would take McCain's exact faults/mistakes and then somehow use it as a joke against Obama. A true representation of the irony of the GOP.

CJ (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:09 PM)

hagel for VP

mccain has missed more votes in the senate then any other senator
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/mccain-hasnt-voted-in-the-senate-since-april-8-2008/
or http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html

cmie (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:10 PM)

I wish they wouldn't advertize this trip - just what the insurgents need - a high value target. Iraq is not a safe place to visit, unless you are the President of Iran. Talk about this after they're back. (And yes, Hegal is my choice for Obama's VP)

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 4:10 PM)

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