Chuck Hagel: Palin isn't ready

Posted: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:20 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Security, Sarah Palin

From NBC's Mark Murray

In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) suggested that Palin doesn't have the foreign-policy experience to be president. "'She doesn't have any foreign policy credentials,' Hagel said in an interview. 'You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything.'"

Check out this other Hagel line: "'I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, "I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,"' he said. 'That kind of thing is insulting to the American people.'"

And this one: "'I think it's a stretch to, in any way, to say that she's got the experience to be president of the United States,' Hagel said."

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Comments

Tell us something we dont already know....But thanks anyway Chuck...

James Tn (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:25 AM)

Subject: FW: Food for Thought

You are The Boss... which team would you hire?

With America facing historic debt, multiple war fronts, stumbling health care, a weakened dollar, all-time high prison population, skyrocketing Federal spending, mortgage crises, bank foreclosures, etc. etc., this is an unusually critical election year. The idea of “leadership” must be broadened from mere “experience” to include knowledge, learnedness and insight.

Let's look at the educational background of your two options:

Obama:
Occidental College - Two years.
Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

& Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

& Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

Now, which team are you going to hire ?

SAM, USA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:26 AM)

Palin doesn't have a lot of foreign experience. She's been getting a lot of education and book learning up to this point and soon McCain will send her to other countries to give her some experience.

Not only will those trips give her experience, they will also serve as a distraction for the Obama team and the press as they will focus on here again and not on McCain himself.

Benjamin Snyder, Beaverton, OR (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:28 AM)

He's gonna get thrown under the bus just like Carly did for speaking the truth.

Ted, Kalamazoo MI (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:29 AM)

Chuck Hagel IS ready. One of the few Republicans I'd vote for.

Margaret (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:29 AM)

corny Chuck (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:29 AM)

Finally an honest Republican! I think he put it just right. It appears this so called 'brilliant' pick by McCain is now turning out to be yet another one of McCain's gaffes!

She can't answer any question with any depth. When asked about what they would do for equal pay for women she talks about her experience with sports. Just unbelievable!

Miri (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:29 AM)

Ha, someone with the, um "stuff", to stand up and tell the truth. Tell Hillary Chuck had his own, so he didn't need to borrow hers.

Kate, Atlanta (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:30 AM)

Its about time someone from the other side told the truth. This was the dumbest pick for VP ever. Pawlenty,Huckabee(my favorite),Ridge,Hutchison, Romney or Lieberman (who I don't like) was far superior than Palin. Furthermore, to have not vetted this woman was ridiculous as now we have a new Bushlike coverup on our hands.This is why I changed parties.Obama/Biden 08/12.

Paul P OKC, OK (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:31 AM)

Well thank you Senator Hagel. FR, what about McCain's response to the Spanish reporter who asked him if McCain would meet with their president? Apparently McCain rattled off some mumbo jumbo about South America. When the reporter clarified, McCain said the same verse over and over. I think the guy really needs a medical check up--he's just not the same guy.

LB, Virginia (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:31 AM)

Really?

And here I thought being able to see Russia from your house totally made you a suitable candidate for be VP!

Obama/Biden 08

Billy, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:31 AM)

Check out this other Hagel line: "'I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, "I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,"' he said. 'That kind of thing is insulting to the American people.'"

-------------------------------------------------

Insulting? Not necessarily. When I was in college I could see Canada from my dorm room! I think it's a tremendous compliment from "Dipstick and Lipstick" that they think *I* have foreign policy credentials!

I'd love to be a fly on the wall and get reactions from the world leaders that McCain will be introducing Palin to next week. I doubt few of them will take her seriously.

Maybe they should rename the ticket, Higgins/Doolittle '08?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

Chuck - you are so honest and right about this situation. Until the right high jacked the convention and this campaign I would have considered voting for McCain. Now I am agressively working for Obama.

Chuck would you consider working with Obama to come up with balanced legislation to abandon the "degredulation mentality vs. over regulation". Either extreme is bad. Make some common sense laws and then agressively enforce them in every sector.

The spirit of Sarbanes Oxley is a spirit that should go through our government and businesses.

Thanks for being real.

waukone (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

Of course she isn't ready and comparing her experience to Obama's is laughable. Barack Obama has never ducked the national press. If Obama was white he'd have a 20pt lead.

Ian (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

Thank you Mr. Hagel for putting the security of the country ahead of politics. I salute your decency!

Obama / Biden 08 (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

Chuck Hagel: My hero..........

Cindy, Columbus, OH (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

That is my Senator! :) Thanks for standing up against your party and speaking the truth.

Wish he was running for reelection...

http://horneddevil.proboards98.com/index.cgi?board=iduspolitics

Tzalaran, Lincoln, NE (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

Sarah and my children can also look at North Pole and see Santa Claus!

However, Sarah struggles to see

• rising food prices
• Inflation rates
• Interest rates
• Budget deficit
• rising transportation costs (that would be…(rail, truck, air, mass transit and, vehicles)
• Unemployment rates

With Mccain/Palin, The Worst Is Yet to Come and you get what you got, literally.
Enough
Enough glossing over!
No way!
No how!
No McCain/Palin!
Nobody but Obama/Biden

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:32 AM)

"Check out this other Hagel line: "'I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, "I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,"' he said. 'That kind of thing is insulting to the American people.'"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

And OUCH! When one of the most respected Republicans, whose foreign policy credentials cannot be questioned, says that Palin doesn't have the foreign policy experience to be president - that is pretty serious statement.

People are starting to say "Thanks, but no thanks" to Sarah Palin.

Mr Eko (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:33 AM)

AMEN.

I take it back. All republicans arent dumb even though most of them believe in this woman.

Concerned voter Atl Ga (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:33 AM)

it is about time someone told the truth I am tired of not hearing anything from the LADY (SILENCE)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

obama/biden 08/12

Sherri Richmond TX (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:34 AM)

He is right!!!! And so someone with some sense has spoken again!!!!

Common Sense, Texas TX (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:34 AM)

Interesting that the media is crying foul about Senator Obama's ad linking McCain with Rush Limbaugh - Rush Limbaugh spreads lies on behalf of John McCain and the Republican Party 3 hours a day, 5 days a week.

John McCain has not "rejected and denounced" one word. President Buseh (current and former) call in to congratulate Rush Limbaugh on 20 years of hate mongering.

The derogatory words that Rush Limbaugh said about Mexicans actually came out of his mouth. John McCain knew about it. John McCain didn't say A WORD. And this is not the first (or last) time.

The media can try to pretend like the ad is a low blow, but the low blow comes from Mr. Limbaugh, in his own words, the same guy who basically hand picked John McCain's running mate.

John McCain has a MUCH GREATER RELATIONSHIP with Rush Limbaugh than Senator Obama has with William Ayers, yet the right wing radio nuts have been beating that dead horse for months - with an assist by the media - so spare me the phony outrage.

The ad is FAIR and ACCURATE, so don't try to run for your sordid past now, John McCain.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:34 AM)

condescendance is the cornerstone of deceit and decadence, my friends

rick maryland (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:35 AM)

McCain has lost my respect with the selection of Palin for VP I agree with Sen. Hagel. Obama/Biden all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carolyn,Conyers, Georgia (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:35 AM)

Thanks Senator Hagel. With your coming retirement, the GOP will lose a voice of sanity and honesty amid the neo-con slime merchants.

Perhaps Barack will seek your experience and expertise in the Obama Administration. There is always room for honest dissent on the DEM side!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:35 AM)

Thank you Mr. Hagel for putting the security of the country ahead of politics. I salute your decency!

Obama / Biden 08 (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:36 AM)

When your republican colleagues tell you that you are embarrassing, then you know you are embarrassing... to yourself and the country.

And Benjamin from Oregan... you too have embarrassed yourself with such a ridiculous statement.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:36 AM)

Nice REALITY CHECK segment on NBC with Matt Lauer!

RE Palin? Time for the HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: McCain? The man is looking more and more like he is loosing his marbles!!!!!!!!!

Libratine (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:37 AM)

Another Republican admits that the Empress has no clothes. Sadly, the McCain/Palin campagin will probably call this SEXIST.

Now that we're no longer talking about lipstick on pigs and pitbulls, it looks like the Palin bounce has landed with a very loud THUD! Welcome to the election, MSM. Glad you could join us.

BTW, Rush Limburger has already accused the REPUBLICAN run state legislature of being SEXIST for persuing the 'Troopergate' scandal. This is the same man who coined the term 'FEMINAZI'.

MAN, I can't wait for the debates.

Obama/Biden '08!

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:38 AM)

So let me get this straight, you send a candidate to other countries with less than two months to go before the election to give her a crash course in world policy? This is not on the job training. You have to have some basis to say you have intelegence. It took her six years at five small collages to get a degree in communications, how long will it take for her to conquer foriegn policy, ten years? Give me a break,

Dand1212, Vancouver, Wa, (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:38 AM)

This is all well and good, but Senator Hagle should have gone one step further ...

Not only is Governor Palin not qualified to be vice president, but Senator McCain is not qualified to be president for choosing her as his running mate.

Mark, Logan, OH (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:38 AM)

Go back to Your Neb cornfield, Chuck. What experience does Obama have? NADA. Alaska has Russian and Canadian trade. She is CIC of the AK National Guard. Has Obama done that? Nope. You people can discredit her readiness all you want but that doesn't erase the fact that she does have executive experience, small business experience and Obama has none of that. Also, she more clearly identifies with the average american
corny Chuck (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:29 AM)

------------------------------------------

What a bunch of crap!

Alaska can't negotiate any trade deals with any nation. That's done at the national level!

CIC of the Alaska National Guard is a purely ceremonial position...the powers as governor are extremely limited as governors can not override the power of the president to send guard units overseas and in case of emergency the president can override authority of the governor.

Get real...average Americans can identify with her? Maybe, but would you honestly elect the average American president or vice president?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:38 AM)

Chucky says Palin isn't ready .... and a hundred other VIP's say she is. Matter of opinion now, isn't it?

Speedway (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:39 AM)

Yikes! I really would have had a hard time choosing between a McCain/Hagel ticket and the Obama/Biden ticket. I probably would still go Obama/Biden, but if McCain/Hagel won, I'd be a pretty satisfied camper.

Hagel is an honest Republican, and I hope the likes of him take control of the party in the future. I'm a Republican at heart because I generally believe in smaller government, but these times call for wise leadership, and Obama, Biden, and Hagel all exhibit that quality. McCain and Palin? Not so much.

Kevin, SF, CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:39 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Chuck ain't eating any poop sandwich! They can take it back.

twocanpete (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:39 AM)

Go back to Your Neb cornfield, Chuck. What experience does Obama have? NADA. Alaska has Russian and Canadian trade. She is CIC of the AK National Guard. Has Obama done that? Nope. You people can discredit her readiness all you want but that doesn't erase the fact that she does have executive experience, small business experience and Obama has none of that. Also, she more clearly identifies with the average american
corny Chuck (-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name one average american who is going through any type of struggle who identifies with this womans Asinine veiw of the real world. I bet for every ONE of your neighbors i can name 10 Americans who will tell you moose hunting and good vision of a native land to you HARDLY qualifies you to do anything but fellowship with your own dumb friends in your own cornfields or deer hunting part of the world.

idiot.

Concerned voter Atl Ga (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:39 AM)

condescendance is the cornerstone of deceit and decadence, my friends

rick maryland (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Nagel is just saying what all the Republicans really think. This whole Palin thing is an insult to the American voter. Not just the Russian stuff or the dumb quotes. She has been running a sixth grade glee club in Alaska and just simply getting rid of anybody in the club she wants to. The National stage is going to eat Palin alive. McCain standing there grinning beside her looks like Nikita Kruschev when he invaded Hungary.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Chuck Hagel one veteran this veteran (me) wouldn't share a foxhole with! He is still smarting for being against General Petraeus and the surge that Hagel said couldn't work.

John Deloge (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Definitions:

Paleontology: The study of ancient life forms, particularly as they are seen in fossils.

Palin-tology: Oblivious to current life forms while being seen with a fossil.

Ken, MN (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

I watched Hardball last night and when Cris Matthews was grilling that republican it was great, that guy was a typical Republican. At least Chuck has the guts to say the truth, not like the rest of their party, It's like they are a bunch of Stepford Wives. Republicans do not put country first, they put party first, that is very obvious

kathleen Pronesti, Elverson PA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Thank you Chuck Hagel for the setting up to the plate and calling a spade a spade! Choising a VP just for political reasons when the candiate is 72 and a cancer survivor is reckless. I too am a cancer survivor and there is always the possibility of a reoccurence! What happened to J M's love of country first?

Sandra, Tennessee (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM)

Spoken like a true Washington Insider trying to protect his turf.

Change? We're Not Ready For Change! (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:41 AM)

BREAKING: MORE HACKED PALIN EMAILS:

To: John McCain [bigmac@aol.com]
From: Sarah Palin [specialsauce@aol.com]

Re: new email accounts

John:

I set up our new email accounts so that we can run the campaign (and the country!!!) without anyone finding out what we're up to. How do you like the cool names?

Also, could you ask Phil Gramm to give me a call? I need some help with this financial crisis stuff. Is Washington Mutual something that we're going to Washington to fix?

McHowdoIgetridofthischick (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:41 AM)

Chuck Hagel gets it. Today's Republican Party's motto should be, "America: When you care enough to send the fair-to-middlin'." America deserves better! http://enough2008.blogspot.com/2008/09/republicans-theory-of-government-as.html

Levi, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:42 AM)

NEWS CONFERENCES FOR PALIN!!! NEWS CONFERENCES FOR PALIN!! The McCain campaign knows she could not weather the scrutiny of the national press corp and couldn't answer tough questions about foreign policy. Stop hiding her and show us what she knows(not much I'm sure).

ned san francisco, ca (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:42 AM)

I am from Omaha,Nebraska. Nebraska is an extremely Republican state. But Hagel always speaks the truth which is one of the things I like about him. As a Dem, he is one of the few Republicans that I have immense respct for.

Michelle J-T, Omaha, NE (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:42 AM)

It'll be like bring your daughter to work day if McCain brings Palin to the UN to strengthen her foreign relations cred. What will he be doing there anyway? McCain's anger is going to be obvious more and more often when asked uncomfortable questions--look at the last clip from "Morning Joe."

alex, New Orleans, LA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:42 AM)

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