Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Ira, Freehold, NJ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:12:11 GMT

Re: Your article entitled “What’s Not on Obama’s Schedule

“Obama has cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday. 'Barack Obama will not be coming to us,' a spokesperson for the US military hospital in Landstuhl announced. 'I don't know why.'

“The RNC has been passing along the story as well.”

Per Andrea Mitchell on Nightly News, the visit was cancelled by Pentagon officials and NOT the Obama campaign. Somehow, this little important bit of information was not included in your post, leaving people to wonder why. The reason as told by military officials who are working on the Obama visit said the visit was cancelled because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops.

Not because he did not care. Not because he did not think it important. He wasn’t allowed. Full Stop!!!!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

The Truth — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:20:56 GMT

Mr. Dodd's mortgage is a matter of public record.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Justin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:21:52 GMT

Portman's already said he left the Bush WH because of his unhappiness with it's lack of support for a direction of more fiscal responsibility - so his association to Bush is overrated.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Ira, Freehold, NJ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:21:59 GMT

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

GP Chicago — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:22:53 GMT

"Quit talking about, 'Did the surge work or not work,' or, 'Did you vote for this or support this,'" he said. "Get out of that. We're done with that. How are we going to project forward?" On the surge, he said of course there would be a result when you “flood the zone.”

I've been screaming this for a week, especially about flooding the area with troops...thank you Mr. Hagel for speaking some sense!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Hagel Bagel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:23:03 GMT

Funny Hagel is challenging McCain on his positions, but he never challenges Obama - a man that has done nothing in his entire political career.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Chuckles Weston, Jordon, LA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:24:12 GMT

Don't know whether to laugh or cry when it comes to Chuckie Hagel. I think I'll laugh, at him.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Catie Kouric, NYC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:26:10 GMT

Sure Obama had 200,000 people at his speech in Germany. 199,990 of them though were US reporters.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Trader Smith — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:28:03 GMT

Grow up libbies. The surge guarnteed success in Iraq. Spin it any way you want, but if you do, you are in some serious denial.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Michael, Kearny NJ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:28:46 GMT

yay for Hagel...finally someone speaks up and says what we all have been thinking...forget the past...lets move the eff on...

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Mark Thieme — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:33:32 GMT

Right-o, Ira.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

ILikeHagel, ar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:37:05 GMT

You know I've always liked Hagel, but the more he speaks the more I like him. If Obama wins he should ask Hagel to be a part of his administration. I know he's a republican, but he is honest, something missing for most republicans.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

matt — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:40:14 GMT

I could see Hagel being a very attractive pick once McCain VP choice is settled. If McCain goes for Bloomberg, Hagel could be a good answer for Obama to that bipartisan move.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Beverly in Chicago — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:43:46 GMT

It's so good to know at least Terry McAuliffe is aware the chemistry is not there. However, I still wonder what's up.

Hillary is now reaching out to us, asking us what issues matter the most to each of us...
http://www.hillpac.com/action/issues/?sc=2498&utm_source=2498&utm_medium=e
Should we trust the Clinton machine?
---------------------------------------------
Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 4:22 PM)
Yep, this is our moment, this is our time. This is our chance to change the direction of global diplomacy and define the direction the US should be headed in for the 21st century.

Your comments are so inspirational and filled with many elements of truth. I missed a few hours due to a doctor's appt.

Thank you, Ira
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Jerry Garner NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:57:20 GMT

American news media has a coverage problem, with this fact as the most quantifiable symptom: The Tyndall Report, a news coverage monitoring service that has the broadcast networks as clients, reports that three newscasts by the traditional networks — which have a combined audience of more than 20 million people — spent 114 minutes covering Obama since June; they spent 48 minutes covering McCain.

Truth is American people have not been sold on Obama, who has a modest lead in the poll: There are plenty of signs that Obama hasn’t closed the deal; if anything, he's simply grabbing on to the reverse Bush coattails at the moment. A majority (55%) think he would be the riskier choice for president, less than half of respondents say he doesn’t share their values and background, and McCain clobbers him on experience and commander-in-chief questions. This election, in fact, has become a referendum on Obama: 51% say they are focusing more on what kind of president Obama would be, versus just 27% who say they are focusing more on McCain.
More...
The Arizona Republican senator has an 11-percentage-point advantage over Obama when voters were asked which candidate’s background and set of values they identify with more—58% said that candidate was McCain, while 47% said Obama. 43% said Obama does not represent their values.

Time for Obama to call Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and FAST

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Tim Lee, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:57:56 GMT

Good luck Chuck

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

jerry/corpus christi texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:02:34 GMT

Hmmmmm.....
Interesting......

Dodd getting sweetheart deals on real estate....
Charlie Rangel getting sweetheart deals on his ......
Sme liberal ding dong who doesn't even live in his own district....

sure are a lot of liberal elitists in congress....
lead by Barack Obama...

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

LP — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:03:09 GMT

Not sure whats going on these days ...the MSM seems to ignore all the gaffes by McMemory!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

jonymc — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:05:57 GMT

Go Chuck Hagel!! Thank goodness someone is taking McCain to task on his "noun, verb, the surge" rhetoric. Other than criticizing Obama, that's all he ever says!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Beverly in Chicago — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:06:58 GMT

Liars, Liars, Liars! Per Condi Rice… I read earlier who are working on the Obama visit said the visit was cancelled because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops; which she claimed unfortunate timing for Obama.

Also the United States has opened a base in the green zone of Iraq. It’s seems like the McCain/Bush/ Cheney schedule has begun for 100 years.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Matt, Idaho — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:11:35 GMT

The surge was an escalation of the war. We sent 30,000 additional troops to Iraq because we could not control the theater. The war that McCain said would be over quckly was spinning out of control. As Senator Hagel said, we flooded the theater with troops to gain control. We paid the "terrorists" who were fighting us billions in cash to stop the fighting. McCain's claims are historically incorrect and irrelevant. Now is the time to remove our troops as the Iraqi's have requested.

Obama/Hagel '08

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:21 PM)
***********************
Absolutely correct

"Surge" is a false label. It is and has always been an escalation of the war.

Need proof? The mission window is now officially over, and there are still many thousands more troops in Iraq now than there were before the mission.

That is an escalation, not a surge.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:19:19 GMT

Hagel sounds like he'll be a great Sec'y of Defense.
I think Portman could work well for McCain, but I think the Obama team will rehash the 3rd Bush term.
Lots to think about.

By the way, whether you're for Obama or McCain, it had to be just freaking cool to walk out to a sea of people waiting to see you. Dand, the rush had to be unreal.
And for my hard-core McCain friends, don't hate on the fact that the world loves and wants Obama. When McCain went to Canada, just a month ago, he had his chance. When he went to Colombia and to Mexico, he had his chance. Face it, the world sees Obama and his ideas as the hope we all need.
Before you call me a globalist, wanting to sell out to the world, just understand that we need the middle east for it's oil. We need the Chinese to buy our debt. So, we can't do EVERYTHING ourselves, certainly not if we're going to police (military industrialism) the world. So, we need allies and allies who will gladly help us.

Right after 9/11, we had the entire world (minus Afghanistan) on our side. That has been lost as our friends turn away from us. Anybody remember President Bush going to Suadi Arabia and asking for an increase i output a month or two ago? Anybody remember the answer? No is correct. And they're supposed to be buddies with Bush.

So, look. We need help and what Obama talked about today was restoring a new partnership.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

donna — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:34:51 GMT

Back in the US, Chuck Hagel had tough words for McCain, though he didn’t mention him by name. "Quit talking about, 'Did the surge work or not work,' or, 'Did you vote for this or support this,'" he said. "Get out of that. We're done with that. How are we going to project forward?" On the surge, he said of course there would be a result when you “flood the zone".. -First Read

I read the entire article, but had to come back to the comment by Senator Hagel.

Here is a man of morals, and self respect. He obviously has a deep love for America. McCain blathers about putting country before his candidacy, then betrays his long held principles for votes. He has back tracked on issues too numerous to mention.

Senator Hagel has proven his devotion by holding fast to what he sees as truth, and justice.

I'd love to see him go one, on one with Limbaugh, and put him in his place with a proper verbal fencing.
(Can you imagine a weakling like Rush trying to physically defend himself? Would he acquit himself like a sniveling coward or what)?

Senator Hagel is a real Man.

I like both Biden, and Hagel for Veep. I know that Hagel is very conservative. However he doesn't seem to be the kind of man who would not take into consideration both sides of an issue, particularly Senator Obama's sentiments, should he have to step into the Presidency.

I'm not saying he would lead by all things liberal. However, I don't think he would sieze upon the role as an opportunity to drive an ideological agenda either.

I think he would try to be the President for all of us, just like Barack.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

John McSame, AZ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:37:11 GMT

Those republicans sure use "my friend" a lot...

"My friends, I was a POW and I have 35 years of experience in washington...I promise you 4 or 8 more years of bush policies...if you love war and the economy, vote for me, senator mcsame"

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

RENEA, PLYMOUTH,MI — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:38:29 GMT

Mccain wants Obama to admit the surge worked.Will Mccain admit it was a mistake to start this War in the first place?No War No surge needed!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Rick, NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:41:50 GMT

I am still trying to understand mccains understanding of the surge and war in general...I do believe he said bush was a miserable failure for 4 years in Iraq which is true but he is also saying we are winning, whatever that means to a senile old man and the chickenhawks

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

lea,fredericksburg,va — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:09:28 GMT

I would like to see this posted for a change.
I wish the media talks would stop with their psychoanalisys of every move Obama makes and rather begin to give some important assessment on how based on the facts..as how Obama ran his campaign the effect on americans getting involved in the campaign.The importance and meaning of McCain gaffes who clearly show his lack of knowledge of history,current events, and clear understanding and vision for proceeding forward in the economy and solving problems.Talk about the large gap in the income between the middle class and the few holding the majority of the power both on the economy and the government.The republican party ideology has clearly failed to keep this country capitalistic aim from using their money to rob the people and the country of its resources and has lead to market failures, banks failures and corruption in the private sector and the government.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

JD Webster San Diego, Ca — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:14:52 GMT

not to nit pick but......

"speaking of Biden, Marc Ambinder thinks he has had a very productive speech."

If I read his piece correctly Mr. Ambinder's point was that Senator Biden has had a very productive legislative season, not just a "speech" Go JOE

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Aaron, Chicago — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:23:51 GMT

Obama should definitely consider Hagel, these Republicans are spinning Obama's words like it's the Wheel of Fortune because McCain is such a flip flop. Gotta fight fire w/ fire.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Sharon Baron, Lakeview MO — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:27:15 GMT

Obama's new slogan should be "I'm into me!". He replaced the American flag on the tail of his plane with a big 'O'. Then he wonders why people don't think he's patriotic.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Liz, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:41:55 GMT

Thank you Ira for posting this very important piece of information. How it got omitted from anyone's reporting - is ridiculous.

Before people start jabbering and throwing slings and arrows -- get all the facts first.

Thanks again Ira -

Obama '08

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Dale, Detroit, MI — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:44:38 GMT

What about John Edwards and his affair??? I am surprised the media isn't picking this up. I like John Edwards but this just gives fire to the "left wing media bias" calls. I also think the coverage of Obama is going to turn alot of people off, it has been over saturation. I think today's Berlin speech should have been the big media day, not the entire week. I LOVE MSNBC but you guys can not be the left's version FOX News.

OBAMA/HAGEL 08

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

gmhussein, Jupiter, Fl — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:46:05 GMT

Ira, I so enjoy your posts, and couldn't agree more regarding Sen Hagel's comments. I think he would be a good choice for VP but I dont expect this to happen.

As for the cancelled trip to Rammstein, FR is getting sloppier by the day in their assessments of the news.

Clara In KC, I also enjoyed your earlier posts, you go girl!!

Nashville, keep up the good work, there are a lot of ignorant, stupid people out there as well as many being full of hate.

Peace to all.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

USAFVET, Tucson Az — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:04:49 GMT

McCain has PTSD!!! Will someone, anyone ask him if he's ever been diagnosed with PTSD!

No one with that disorder should be allowed to be president.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Andrea Westchester — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:26:11 GMT

This is a must read for anybody who believes the crap that the media favors Obama - he may be getting more coverage, but it's certainly not more positive coverage: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-barbeque-media-wants_b_114843.html

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Stephen Missouri — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:36:17 GMT

It is amazing to me that what Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed had to say is not being highlighted or even considered news. Here are two veterans that can confirm that what Obama is saying is not hot air but factual.

As I have said in my prior postings, there is a good reason why McCain took 25 years to be the nominee of his party. He is slow to grasp the facts and lay out a strategy, essential requirements for being a commander in chief.

McCain dwells on the fact that he has met many world leaders and therefore what Obama accomplished was nothing...how many world leader did McCain meet while he was a first time senator? How many times has a foreign leader or King driven McCain to the airport?

McCain had had the country to himself for a whole week...what is the highlight of the week? Anger because he did not get credit from Obama for the surge...What policy issues did McCain lay out while Obama was away? He used all his media availability to snipe at Obama even accusing him of treason...can you imagine how a McCain administration will look like? If you don't support his war mongering, you will be tried for treason.

On balance though, I am glad that McCain is employing the same strategy that Hillary employed to her peril. I admire Obama for his calm, dignified and collected way that he responds to demeaning accusations from his opponents. Obama has not called McCain a name to date...what a contrast!!!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:47:01 GMT

I said it before, Obama/Hagel, the real dream ticket.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

ERIC, MN — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:50:47 GMT

SO IS ANYBODY ACTUALLY GOING TO COVER THE MCCAIN GAFFE ABOUT THE ANBAR AWAKENING AND THE SURGE. IF OBAMA HAD SAID THE SAME EXACT THING FR AND THE MSM WOULD BE JUST HAMMERING HIM. BUT SINCE IT WAS MCCAIN, CBS EDITS IT OUT OF THE INTERVIEW, AND THEN THE REST OF THE MSM JUST SWEEPS IT UNDER THE RUG. SEEMS FAIR TO ME. JUST BECAUSE THE MCCAIN CAMP WANTS THIS TO BE A REFERENDUM ON OBAMA, DOESNT MEAN THE MSM HAS TO OBLIGE HIM. COME ON GUYS DO YOUR JOBS!!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Paul, phoenix, arizona — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:53:13 GMT

I hope to see Hagel and Reed on the panel shows and interviews to hear their opinion and observations on what the trip accomplished. It would be a nice break from the constant whining of "you stole my show" boy from Arizona, Its hard to believe (second thought no it isn't)this is the best the Republican Party has to offer. The history McCain uses is like seeing a bad movie in the middle stages and finding one scene that went better than the others and saying the movie is a success, Please......MORE THAN 4000 DEAD, 3000+ WOUNDED AMERICAN SOLIDERS, 1-2 MILLION IRAQ REFUGES, 500,000 TO A MILLION IRAQ CITIZENS DEAD IN A COUNTRY THAT NEVER ATTACKED THE UNITED STATES...AND MCCAIN SAY'S WE WON??????????????????????

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

P.D. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:02:25 GMT

I'm tired of the 'Surge'. People are dying in Iraq every day. The Iraqis live in areas partitioned off from other areas. What a mess! McCain keeps whining. Barack has thousands cheering. I know who I'm going to vote for. Obama.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

no socialism wanted---this is a democracy — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:11:23 GMT

Obama, Hagel, Soros, Brezezinski i.e the New World Order guys. Only one way to stop it and that is at the polls by voting for McCain.

Obama's speech today was not that great. I thought he was out-of-bounds.

Stop Obama and his socialism Vote McCain

NO OBAMA

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Joe Reed, Miami, FL — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:28:22 GMT

Republicans won't admit it, but I personally know Republicans who like Obama and are voting for him this year. I see a lot of "Republicans for Obama" bumper stickers in my "Red" state. I have yet to see one that says "Democrats for McCain" this is a very encouraging sign for Obama.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Arden — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:36:46 GMT

Let's get on with the election. I have lost most of my repect for John McCain and there is no doubt in my mind and maybe a few americans that John McCain doesn't want to end the war in Iraq because he still lives with the memory of Vietnam. The Vietnam war was not ours to win and neither is Iraq. Bring the troops home and move on to Afganistan where the real war is. Let's get Barack Obama elected and start cleaning up the mess that George Bush and his administration made.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

sheila; oakland, ca — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:46:07 GMT

Gimme a break, already. Tom Ridge looks like the cat that ate the canary. Oh, wait, that's nothing new for him...nah, it's so him.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:19:41 GMT

Ira, we didn't pay the terrorists. We paid the Sunni chieftains to pull their support from the guerrilla terrorists...although the effect is the same. But, giving money to Al Qaeda would've been counter productive and I doubt that you could have bribed them.
Obama/(I love Hagel but he's socially too conservative for the ticket '08

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Dann Friess — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:24:29 GMT

Obama's up by like 8-9 points in most polls. Fox only has him up by three? Typical Right-Wing Bull****!

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

JM, Tampa, FL — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:32:24 GMT

What really boggles my mind is how a number of Americans intends to vote for an old man that ranked near bottom of HIS military class to replace one who barely made it in Yale. After what we’ve been through almost 8 years of abyss and none progress in this country, I question the mentality and judgment of people voting for another 4 years of the same and possibly worst to a puppet ruler nearing senility. How they can believe and say that McDud is serving our country and will make it better is ludicrous. Yes, he served in the military and got hurt, but his services after that has been questionable, and recently his decisions have been incompetent and irresponsible and NOT to the benefit of the working American people. His repeated statement of how he’d rather lose an election than lose a war is not only hypocritical but outrageous!! FIRST of all, millions of Americans did NOT approve of the war in Iraq! NATO, and majority of the big nation allies did not approve for us to go to Iraq. The Bush administration and his big corp. cronies fooled the American people about the WMD’s so they can pursue in getting us into Iraq. For what? As far as I am concerned, this is not a war against terrorism. Yes, Saddam was a bad man, but not the culprit that cause 9-11. McCain’s insistence to continue to run Iraq is unjustifiable. And his statement of wanting to win this war is totally absurd.

So it really boggles my mind how so many in this country is not able to see the better candidate that the entire world is able to see. Obama is the right person to lead us out of this sinkhole. It won’t be easy because Bush dug us pretty deep into it. But I’d rather take the unbeaten path rather than be stuck in the same sinkhole.

And to counter Mike Meehan’s RIGHTWING billboard, I urge one and all – PLEASE DO NOT VOTE REPUBLICAN!!! VOTE FOR YOUR FUTURE. VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR OBAMA AS PRESIDENT.

Veepstakes PM: Hagel on the attack?

Felix, CO — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:04:52 GMT

Hagel cannot be VP since he is a true conservative Republican and couldn't possibly speak in support of Obama's health care, economic or tax policies. That's kind of inconvenient in a VP, especially in the VP debate. You certainly don't want a VP who disagrees with you on those matters holing a tie breaking vote in his role as President of the Senate, for instance.

Also there is the little matter of Democrats being willing to accept a very conservative Republican as the next in line to the presidency. Most would not be comfortable with this.

On the other hand, Hagel would be the perfect bi-partisan choice for Secretary of Defense since he shares so many of Obama's views on Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and foreign policy in general. As Defense Secretary his other views would not be a problem. He would have no legislative role whatsoever and would not be asked to defend presidential policy in arenas outside the scope of the Defense Department.