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Hagel chides McCain on foreign policy

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:32:51 am CDT

Sen. Chuck Hagel has weighed in on the side of Barack Obama’s foreign policy views while expressing disappointment with John McCain.

“I’m very upset with John with some of the things he’s been saying,” Hagel said in remarks at a private gathering in Washington on Tuesday night.

“I believe that John is smarter than some of the things he is saying,” Nebraska’s Republican senator said.

Story Photo
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.

McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has recently criticized Obama, the likely Democratic nominee, for his willingness to diplomatically engage the leadership of Iran.

Hagel’s remarks at an event hosted by Ploughshares Fund, an organization promoting peace and security, were reported in Wednesday’s Huffington Post.

“I never understand how anyone in any realm of civilized discourse could sort through the big issues and challenges and threats and figure out how to deal with those without engaging in some way,” Hagel said.

“I am confident that if Obama is elected president, that is the approach he will take.”

And, Hagel said, “in my opinion, it has to be done.”

Engagement is not capitulation, he said.

“If you engage a world power or a rival, it doesn’t mean you agree with them or subscribe with what they believe or you support them in any way,” Hagel said.

“What it does tell you is that you’ve got a problem you need to resolve.  And you’ve got to understand the other side and the other side has got to understand you.”

As for McCain’s criticism of Obama’s views on engagement, Hagel said: “I want him to get above that and maybe when he gets into the general election, and becomes the general election candidate, he will have a higher-level discourse on these things.”

Hagel is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.


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Chuck D. Appeaser wrote on May 21, 2008 10:54 am:
" Chuck Chamberlain speaks again, because it gets him press attention. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on May 21, 2008 10:58 am:
" Is there anyone Chuck Hagel won't betray? Having agreed to chair Bush's Nebraska re-election committee, he then went on TV throughout the duration of the campaign to criticize him. Now he's attacking his erstwhile ally McCain.

Now he's backing Obama; I wonder how long it will be before Barack is stabbed in the back?



"

 Nina wrote on May 21, 2008 11:06 am:
" A responsible stance, well said, and very true. Peace must be given a chance when problems are encountered. I fear with McCain in charge, we'd find ourselves in an even bigger middle eastern war than we have with Iraq. He likes to spout off first, then think later, and that's a scary habit for someone in control of the "red button." "

 Chris wrote on May 21, 2008 11:07 am:
" If Chuck Hagel would back up his talk with any kind of voting action I'd be his biggest supporter. He constantly talked about all the things Bush was doing wrong, then voted to support him at every turn. Sorry Charlie, but you are all bark, no bite. "

 Don wrote on May 21, 2008 11:14 am:
" Chuck Hagel is now a liberal democrat, in my opinion. I bet he votes for either Hillary or Obama in the general elections, whichever one is the nominee. Chuck is intellectually flawed. "

 Todd wrote on May 21, 2008 11:26 am:
" Can this clown please go away now? Never has a politician disappointed me as much as Hagel. "

 enough already chuck wrote on May 21, 2008 11:28 am:
" Hey Chuckie - just go outside and play in the yard - and don't come back till we call ya. "

 Wally G wrote on May 21, 2008 11:31 am:
" Talk about traitorous actions...
All Nebraska registered voters should take note; here is a Washington insider that returned to Nebraska for only one thing...lifetime healthcare that most of us working poor can no longer afford! And a big piece of the pie! Shut up and sit down Chuck! Your day in the sun is over! What's next? Maybe move to a major city and become a figurehead at a new school pseudo university and makes lots-o-money!?!
"

 Look at Chuck wrote on May 21, 2008 11:34 am:
" Look, Look!! See Chuck! See Chuck run! See Chuck run his mouth!

Does Chuck want to be a veep? Yes, Chuck wants to be a veep! Do you want Chuck to be a veep? Nah! "

 tim wrote on May 21, 2008 11:35 am:
" apparently being a conservation is simply too difficult for chuck these days. "

 Rusty wrote on May 21, 2008 11:41 am:
" Nina, everyone wishes we could just all get along but I defy you to tell me how you open dialogue and find peace with people(Iran) who do not hesitate in funding radicals that slip people's throats and send the video via the internet throughout the world. Or fund radicals who do not hesitate one moment to detonate a bomb that kills women and children. I wish we could all live in that little corner of Nirvana that you, Mr. Obama and Mr. Hagel seem to think is out there. Just give peace a chance??? Did that work on 9-11?? or Pearl Harbor?? "

 Chris wrote on May 21, 2008 11:44 am:
" With respect Sen. Chuck Hagel needs some seriously counciling himself on "civilized discourse". Hagel and presumptive GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain are fascinating in how similiar they are idea wise and yet contrasting by how they engage in dialog with the American people. Like Hagel, McCain was critical of the way the Iraq war was executed initially. Unlike McCain though, Hagel has illustrated that he can complain to news cameras, but can't do his job by presenting substantive policy solutions when it comes to his disagreements with the Bush administration. Hagel has proved to those observing him that he is a poor excuse for a legislator, an opportunist, and not someone who has near the character or expertise to be President or give substantive commentary on world affairs. Its absolute fantasy to insist Hagel is some kind of foreign policy expert. So he really has no room to talk when it comes to lecturing anyone on "smarts" and foreign policy. Hagel has a niave and out dated view of the world at best. "

 Jeff wrote on May 21, 2008 11:49 am:
" To all those that chide Hagel for seeking attention, being a traitor etc. etc. ..... is what he said the truth? does it make sense? YES ... that is what matters. If any of you could put aside your partisanship and look at what it the right thing to do.... you might see it. It speaks volumes for the logjam that we have in government right now. Hope Hagel ends up with a cabinet position. We need common sense, and this political fighting needs to go. This use of the term "appeaser" has grown to be ridiculous and transcends anyform of commonsense. You think he said this at a small private function hoping to get press coverage? He would have called a press conference if that was the case, or went on Sunday morning TV again. You all want him to just shut up if he can't be a cheerleader for the misguided policies of the current adminstration. Ain't going to happen, is it. "

 Meredith wrote on May 21, 2008 11:51 am:
" Hey Rusty. Not all of Iran are fundamental radicals supporting terrorists. I have known several Iranians citizens, and many are progressive, educated, democratic etc. We aren't going to treat an entire nation based on the actions of a minority. Has the current approach worked for us. NO. "

 Jan wrote on May 21, 2008 11:57 am:
" Chris - Since you're an expert on Chuck Hagel and his foreign policy expertise, I guess you've read Hagels recent book on foreign policy then? You think Hagel hasn't tried to guide the Bush Adminstration along the way? Don't you think that McCain is purely posturing/pandering now to the conservative right/ Bush Backers in order to get their support. Hagel is a conservative who can't stand to observe the mismanagment and the political "appeasement" talk that defies logic and has gotten us nowhere. Even Bush's own cabinet members have agreed in the past with exactly what Hagel is saying now. Thank goodness someone speaks out. "

 jo gale wrote on May 21, 2008 11:58 am:
" It's a shame that Hagel doesn't blindly follow party lines and uses his head instead of being a GOP robot.He must be a traitor or something. Who's with me? "

 Roger wrote on May 21, 2008 11:58 am:
" Why doesn't Sen. Hagel just make it official and change the 'R' to 'D'? "

 Eric wrote on May 21, 2008 12:01 pm:
" My hope is that Chuck gets appointed to Sec. of State. "

 j wrote on May 21, 2008 12:12 pm:
" Hagel is a Vietnam vet who is well versed in foreign policy, Nebraskans should listen carefully to his advice and not be distracted by the political rhetoric of the McCain campaign. Keep in mind that the status quo is making the world a much more dangerous place. McCain's policy, which appears to be a continuation of that status quo, would clearly not bring about change in Tehran. Insanity afterall is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. "

 PROG wrote on May 21, 2008 12:31 pm:
" What's going on is partisan bickering in a political season that is treating the requisite sophistication for diplomatic dialogue as mere fundamentalist diatribe. Our elected federal officials are taking advantage of the fact the news in Iraq and in the region is not always in the media headlines, highlights and and main stories, and the city media's slacking and at times releasing the system of its pressures. "

 Why wrote on May 21, 2008 12:34 pm:
" Why label Hagel a liberal when you don't know what a conservative is? If you believe removing a dictator was worth trillions, you're not a conservative. If you believe the spending of the past seven years was conservative, you're wrong. If you think the scandals that hit the GOP weekly, if not daily, are conservative, you're wrong. Partisanship and hating Hagel isn't very productive so listen to his words instead. "

 Bill wrote on May 21, 2008 12:45 pm:
" That's just it. Hagel isn't a "D". He is a conservative that has feels the "R's" have lost their way. There are a lot of people in this country that feel the same way. Forget the "R" and the "D" and just start solving problems by compromise. "

 Matt wrote on May 21, 2008 12:55 pm:
" Nation building is not a conservative principle. The war in Iraq goes against all true conservative principles. Hagel is the true conservative. "

 Jody P. wrote on May 21, 2008 1:20 pm:
" It's semantics. Negotiation (or "talking to") might mean the normal lower-level detailed diplomatic discussions between nations, or, as in the case of what Obama has proposed, one-on-one talks between leaders, such as between Obama and Raul Castro or Obama and Ahmadinejad. There's a big difference. One-to-one talks without preliminary lower-level diplomacy would be dramatic spectacles, and that's probably all. Form but no substance that would impress Obama supporters and get a lot of TV coverage, but that's about it.

And there's a further difference between talking with nation-states, and talking with terrorists. If Bush, McCain and/or Hillary are lumping Iran in with terrorists instead of nation-states, then that is probably misleading on their part. However on the other hand if Obama is willing to sit down for an Obama-Osama summit, then he should be impeached that very same day. "

 MarkyMark wrote on May 21, 2008 2:15 pm:
" It is always fun to listen to hayseed Nebraskan give their opinion against a man that actually knows a lot about foreign policy. Failure to act on diplomacy can be very costly both in lives and taxpayer money. Take a look at our Iraqi occupation. Win, lose, or draw, right or wrong, we are in for trillions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of dead human beings. Before committing a travesty like this, a President should always look this as a last resort, not a knee jerk tought guy thing. It's a real crime. Literally! "

 Traitor wrote on May 21, 2008 2:17 pm:
" I like the people posting that Hagel is a traitor for telling it like it is. I guess he should be a good soldier and stick to the party line no matter how bad it screws the country. That's what all the Bushies have done! Congrats to the Bushies for not being traitors to the G.O.P. Of course whether they are traitors to the U.S., that is a different matter. "

 jondoe wrote on May 21, 2008 2:29 pm:
" the defacto-republican pseudo-intelligentsia, as demonstrated in most of these comments, is the probably the biggest reason that i will never return to nebraska to live. fellow nebraskans, try to consider more than your wallet when you go to the voting booth next fall. "

 Brian wrote on May 21, 2008 2:31 pm:
" "And you’ve got to understand the other side and the other side has got to understand you.”

I couldn't agree more Mr. Hagel. It's nice to read you aren't a blind and deaf Republican follower. ...but then you did vote in agreement of Bush 95% of the time. It appears you really are part of the problem, despite what you say.

Walk the walk if you're gonna talk the talk. Actions do really speak louder than words. "

 JT wrote on May 21, 2008 2:38 pm:
" It's appeasement is when you give something up, i.e. Czechoslovakia. Talking with another nation is not appeasement. Also, Bush has messed just about everything in foreign policy up. So there's no reason for Hagel to be loyal. "

 JT wrote on May 21, 2008 2:47 pm:
" After reading all the comments I think it needs to be said that everyone who has supported the Bush approach to foreign policy should lose their seat at the idea table or at least be taken with an ocean of salt. Bush's method could not have been more wrong.

And way to support the troops by calling a decorated Vietnam Vet a traitor. "

 Tim wrote on May 21, 2008 2:53 pm:
" Come on people, let's not get carried away. View Chuck for what he is....he is a politician first, middle, and last. Nothing more, nothing less, he enjoys life in D.C. and is looking to hedge his future with either future President. Chuck is being Chuck, we (Nebraskans) were just a tool for him. "

 Liberal Bob wrote on May 21, 2008 3:00 pm:
" To say Chuck Hagel is a "Liberal Democrat" just proves how out of touch most republicans in this sate are when it comes to politics. Chuck Hagel is a goose stepping radical right wing republican; who, except for this one position, has always fell into line with the rest of the right. I applaud him for his position on Bushes war- but please don't give him the label of "liberal" he hasn't earned it. He is still one of you!!!!!!!! "

 PROG wrote on May 21, 2008 3:11 pm:
" Senator Hagel knows diplomatic relations in the Middle East require sophistication and straight talk in different varieties of speech, levels and channels. Currently, there are numerous hot-spots, not to mention the onset of new famine in Africa. This requires different approaches at different times, and there is uncertainty and non-threatening mistrust, basically, about what the resource-full Western media holds and withholds. "

 Yup wrote on May 21, 2008 3:15 pm:
" It was rumored that Hagel was being considered for Vice President of ? At lease we can assume it isn't McCain, could it possibly be Obama? All the Obama fans, would you vote for him is Hagel his running mate? "

 Amused D wrote on May 21, 2008 3:26 pm:
" I am very amused by the all of the R's calling Hagel a traitor for disagreeing with the R/Bush party line on this issue.

As a Democrat, I value and respect the ability of our senators to put aside party politics and do what's best for Nebraska and our country. When Senator Nelson votes with Bush, I don't label him a "traitor" if I don't agree with his point of view. I respect his ability to find middle ground and make progress - something Hagel is good at as well.

To my Republican friends, if you want someone who will follow the party line blindly and without question, be sure to vote for Jo-Jo this fall. Otherwise, maybe consider a candidate who will put Nebraska's interests above the interests of his party. "

 natefrog wrote on May 21, 2008 3:40 pm:
" Appeasement: pacify, conciliate; especially : to buy off (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the sacrifice of principles.

How is 'talking' to other countries the same as 'appeasement'? The right-winger chickenhawks who have been loudly braying about 'appeasement' and comparing Democrats to Chamberlain have been soundly discredited already. The argument is tired. "

 Jay wrote on May 21, 2008 3:44 pm:
" Rusty,

Is China hosting the Olympics this year? Maybe Nixon should have just said the hell with China. They were supporting actions against the US in both Korea and Vietnam. But, the US decided it was best to ENGAGE them, rather than ENRAGE them. Do we still have issues with them, yes. But I think any rational veiw of our relations with China would conclude that we are far better off three decades down the line because we talked to them, instead of shunning them and hoping that the problem wouldn't fester. "

 John Ilgenfritz Helena MT wrote on May 21, 2008 4:00 pm:
" I commend Senator Hagel for his comments and chastise the cheap shops of
many of the responders to opportunity to post comments. It is my belief that these email comments ought to be treated like letters to the editors.
Folks who write in ought to have the courage to identify themselves fully.
It might temper their rhetoric somewhat. "

 Hagel fan wrote on May 21, 2008 4:31 pm:
" I couldn't agree with Senator Hagel more. I loved McCain in 2000. I don't want any more of this war. I will be voting for Obama so long as he doesn't put Hillary on the ticket. "

 elffie wrote on May 21, 2008 4:33 pm:
" Chuckie...just keep your opinions to yourself, your mouth shut, finish out your term and than go away. "

 Ron Gustafson wrote on May 21, 2008 4:42 pm:
" I applaud Senator Hagel for saying what needs to be said. Our World faces extremely complex and serious problems. The United States needs to strengthen its learning curve and must engage in serious discourse with all nations, especially the ones we do not understand. By now we should have learned that war is a poor substitute for education and informed diplomacy. Nebraska Republicans should be proud of the bravery shown by Senator Hagel in the face of party (and media) pressure to toe the Administration's line. What happened to McCain's bravery? "

 nathan wrote on May 21, 2008 8:42 pm:
" Don't we as a nation already have a set criteria for what "rogue" nations or groups need to bring to the table before we will negotiate with them? These politicians need to clarify their statements. If Obama is saying he would engage these people in talks WITHOUT meeting our set criteria, then yes, it is appeasement. All Hamas has to do is change their charter to remove that part about destroying Israel and we'll talk to them! That's been our side of things since they were formed! I feel our requirement of renouncing terrorism as mandatory before we have talks is fine. Anyone who says that we will negotiate with terrorists will not get my vote. "

 Berle wrote on May 21, 2008 8:49 pm:
" Politician? Tim, you have to be kidding me. Hagel is finally free to speak his mind without having to worry about re-election. Unlike Lee Terry, he held himself to his pledge of self-imposed term limits. He has been a lame duck, so he could do and say as he felt best for our country. Bush has done and said what he pleased these last two years as well (I appreciate his efforts in Africa a great deal, but that doesn't fix the rest of his presidency). I think given that freedom, people are more inclined to be heartfelt and true to their deepest and most sincere beliefs. I may disagree, but I can respect it more than just robotically going through the motions. What kind of politician seemingly sticks to his own beliefs these days, party loyalties be damned? "

 Husker wrote on May 21, 2008 9:11 pm:
" Hagel is the ONLY republican in this state I would vote for right now (other than Foley and he's not up for re-election). Hagel is a dedicated patriot and veteran and is calling it like it is. I used to like McCain alot and I still respect his service to this nation. However, I will not vote for him this year though because of he is too much like Bush now. I voted for Bush in '04 and you better believe I regret that. Go Obama and Kleeb in '08! "

 JR wrote on May 21, 2008 9:59 pm:
" Let me get this straight ... as long as Hagel follows the GOP party line, he is a decorated war hero. But as soon as he speaks his own mind, he becomes a traitor? Once again all the Republicans are showing their true colors. They don't want good representation ... look at Lee terry and Adrian Smith, for example ... they just want someone who will toe the line ... the PARTY line. Not for me ... I want someone who will do what is right for Nebraska, and right for this country. Keep talking Chuck, America needs you now, more than ever. "

 Go Hagel wrote on May 22, 2008 8:57 am:
" I agree with Jo Gale and Marky Mark. I don't live in nebraska anymore and part of the reason besides taxes the red state thinking is part of the reason. Whoops I forgot taxes and red state go hand in hand. I wish Hagel would move to my new state and run for office. I would gladly vote for him and if he gets picked by a democrat for VP I would definately vote for that party. There are only I think two or three people in the senate who have military service and he is one of them with Webb being the other. Both have purple hearts. I trust their judgement much more than some draft dodger VP we have now. Come to Missouri Chuck , we need you. Oh Rusty what did Iraq have to do with 9-11 or Pearl Harbor? Watch and see how fast american oil companys connected with george or dick get into the oil in iraq as soon as a democrat gets our troops out. See how friendly the current administration gets to our enemies then. "

 Get used to Hagel wrote on May 22, 2008 11:04 am:
" You will be seeing a lot more of him when he serves on the cabinet of the next President.

As for all of you that call him a "liberal," check your facts. He has one of the most conservative voting records in the Senate. "

 Ray wrote on May 22, 2008 12:13 pm:
" Chuck Hagel has been a complete dissapointment to all Nebraskans since we made the mistake of electing him. What has he done, what has he accomplished, Nothing significant except tooting his own horn every chance he gets. He wants to now be the Vice President so he is siding with Obama and against McCain just as he has always tried to undermine the current presidents plans and policys. Give it up Chuck and go just go away. Haven't you done enough to discredit our state and nation. "

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