As you rightly point out, Hagel is too much of a Senator to be President. But the real problem is that his name is too close to Hegel.

Hagel's presidential delusions are probably keeping him from taking a stronger leadership role in the Bolton issue. He knows that Rove and Norquist and the GOP money-meisters play hardball, and he has got to be thinking that if he goes against the administration on Bolton, he will receive little in the way of financial or political support for his presidential aspirations in '08.

This whole Bolton affair has been useful in one respect; it has been a very effective demonstration project to illustrate what a cowardly, sorry bunch of Senators we have serving the nation. And you would support this guy for the Presidency, Steve?

Oy, oy, oy....

"Hagel's presidential delusions are probably keeping him from taking a stronger leadership role in the Bolton issue..."

Wouldn't it be great if all these presidental hopefuls (of both parties) would just do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may?

But the real problem is that his name is too close to Hegel.

Rubin Askew had this problem too (and indeed, missed the Presidency)...

From G.W.F. Hegel's "Philosophy of History" (1837, revised by his son Charles Hegel, translated by J. Sibree):

In the history of the World, only those peoples can come under our notice which form a state. For it must be understood that this latter is the realization of Freedom, i.e. of the absolute final aim, and that it exists for its own sake. It must further be understood that all the worth which the human being possesses - all spiritual reality, he possesses only through the State. For his spiritual reality consists in this, that his own essence - Reason - is objectively present to him, that it possesses objective immediate existence for him. Thus only is he fully conscious; thus only is he a partaker of morality - of a just and moral social and political life. For Truth is the Unity of the universal and subjective Will; and the Universal is to be found in the State, in its laws, its universal and rational arrangements. The State is the Divine Idea as it exists on Earth. We have in it, therefore, the object of History in a more definite shape than before; that in which Freedom obtains objectivity, and lives in the enjoyment of this objectivity. For Law is the objectivity of Spirit; volition in its true form. Only that will which obeys law, is free; for it obeys itself - it is independent and so free. When the State or our country constitutes a community of existence; when the subjective will of man submits to laws, - the contradiction between Liberty and Necessity vanishes. The Rational has necessary existence as being the reality and substance of things, and we are free in recognising it as law, and following it as the substance of our own being. The objective and the subjective will are then reconciled, and present one identical homogeneous whole. For the morality (Sittlichkeit) of the State is not of that ethical (moralische) reflective kind, in which one's own conviction bears sway; this latter is rather the peculiarity of the modern time, while the true antique morality is based on the principle of abiding by one's duty [to the state at large].

Would some tell Jaime Frontero I responded on the 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) thread.

There will come a time for Hagel (and others) to cut their tethers to the albatross/boat-anchor that the Bush/Cheney juggernaut is becoming.

I wouldn't mind seeing it now ... but Hagel (and others) know this won't be their last opportunity.

I look at Hagel and see Bush/Cheney: say anything that sounds good but go with the GOP program. I think Hagel will support Bolton for GOP support for his run at the presidency. I think the whole conservative bunch is cut from the same cloth.

Read the last six words of Hagel's letter to the ambassador. No suprise there.

I'll keep asking the question I've been asking for weeks now. How is Chuck Hagel (Co-Chair, McCain Presidential Bid, 2000) going to differentiate himself from John McCain (Candidate, McCain Presidential Bid, 2000)?

On this issue, Hagel actually had an opportunity to begin to do so. One of McCain's biggest drawbacks for a lot of moderates in this country is his uber-hawkishness, particularly wrt N. Korea. Given his uber-hawkishness, it made perfect sense to me that McCain would support Bolton. But Hagel is more measured than McCain on issues of foreign policy. And, if 2008 is anything like 2004, that bit of balance might serve well to distinguish him from McCain (uber-hawk) and the indistinguishable crowd of well-coiffed fundamentalist demagogues who will also be vying for the nomination. Too bad he doesn't seem interested in availing himself of this opportunity.

Steve -

My take on Senator Hagel is that he's made the same fundamental strategic blunder that Jeanne Kirkpatrick made - he's played both ends against the middle for too long. She coulda been a contenda... So might he have been. (Yes, Friendly Fire - gotcha covered...)

I can't say I've been as impressed with Senator Hagel as you have, though.

Fearless prediction:

Secretary Rice runs for President in 2008 - big paybacks, and a big theocrat for VP. And the major strategy will be to divest the Democrats of the black vote. Senator Clinton will choose a running mate in advance of the Republican Convention, in an attempt to divert that tactic.

It's going to be a swell couple of elections.

Catfight!

JF

JF

Do you really think an African-American candidate could bring out Republican voters? You can't simultaneously pursue the Southern Strategy (at the same time as the Dems start their Western Strategy) and run an African-American woman.

emptywheel:

I've accused the wingnuts of any number of things - but never a lack of either creativity or daring.

How did Southern Senators vote on SC then-nominee Thomas?

Yes, actually, I "really think an African-American candidate could bring out Republican voters," and done correctly, Democrats as well - to vote for Rice. What would the demographics of the Southern vote look like if Ralph Reed were Rice's running mate, after he polishes off his little fixed race for a Lt. Governors seat (who cares from which State - does it matter?)? Or Senator Frist?

"You can't simultaneously pursue..."

The wingnuts have consistently surprised everyone by pursuing - successfully - strategies that either appeared to be self-contradictory, or flew in the face of all common wisdom.

They're good. Just think about how difficult it's been to beat Bolton. He's as wrong for the UN and as crummy a human being as there's ever been nominated for anything. But it's still not over, and it's entirely possible that he could squeak by.

JF

JF

Alright, you've got me half convinced, if Reed (barring prior convictions) were the running mate. Let me think about it.

"First, they say that Hagel spends a lot of time thinking about running, discussing the possibility, pondering options -- but has done little to hire personnel or to organize the huge fundraising effort required to mount a credible campaign."

Yeah, he's been Senator Hamlet lately. Actually, it's characteristic of him, I'm finding.

JF
You don't have me convince. A national vote is a different can of worms from a senate vote. Rice is even more shallow than GB: "who would think a terrorist would take a plane and run it into a building?" (a Rice paraphrase). No..what do they say..."gravitas". Got a smile out of your post, tho.

lugbolt:

I am hesitant to point this out - national pride and all that - but have you noticed that our President lettered in cheerleading at Yale?

Shallow plays well, nowadays...

JF