At a time of crisis for America, carnage and chaos throughout the Middle East, renewed danger of East-West conflict, the possiblity of the nuclear arms race rearing its head again, and our country hungering for unity but divided against itself, Senator Hagel Has a historic opportunity that comes once in a generation.
When he said that the Republican Party he voted for during he heroic service in the Mekong Delta is not the Republican Party that exists today, his words were true, and potentially profound.
The Republican Party today is no longer the Party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosvelt and Dwight Eisenhower. Under George Bush the United States is no longer the leader of the free world. We are feared by our friends as well as our enemies.
When Senator Hagel joined with Democrats and sponsored the Iraq resolution, and was the only Republican to vote with them in the Foreign Relations Committee, it was a major moment. When he pointed to the Democrats, then the Republicans, and said the President has no plan, and the Senate damn well better know the plan before sending the troops, it was a true and magic moment in the Senate.
What I propose here, is a hard and difficult course, with an unknown destination that may someday lead to the Presidency, or not. But this is true, if Senator Hagel leaves the Republican Party and becomes a Democrat or political independent, he changes the course of American history.
Senator Hagel would make an extraordinary and unprecedented contribution to restore our sense of national unity, our national values, and national prestige throughout the free world.
I propose: that Senator Hagel declare political independence, leaves the Republican Party, announces he will abstain from all party line votes on legislation, procedures and governing the Senate.
I propose: he then spend 90 days speaking out on the great issues, without the limitations of partisan politics, speaking of war and peace, of patriotism and honor, of responsibility and duty, of what is right for America.
Democratic Leaders and candidates for president would almost certainly extend to him an invitation to join us as Senator, Vice President or Secretary Of State in the next Admnistration.
Republicans in Congress would be forced to make a choice. Vote their conscience on the war, stand on principle at a time of crisis, with a historic political realignment underway.
At the end of the 90 days, Senator Hagel can consider all options. He could return to the Republican Party, join the Democratic Party, or stake out new and historic ground as a true political independent.
All electoral options would remain intact: running for reelection to the Senate or running for President. He might well be offered the Vice Presidency or Secretary of State in a Democratic Administration. Many including myself will be urging senior Democrats to extend these invitations.
What I predict would happen during this 90 day period, would be an outpouring of vitriol from the intolerant and reactionary wing of the Republican Party, which, in truth, holds these views about Senator Hagel and many moderate Republicans. They have the power to block his nomination for President as a Republican. The vitriolic and hyperpartisan wing of the Republican Party is in control, and they scorn moderate Republicans in the same way President Bush ignores them and humiliates Tony Blair.
The time for historic realignment is at hand.
What would also happen if Senator Hagel takes his leave from the partisan past, would be a powerful outpouring of support from good and decent Americans. They are disgusted by what our politics have become. They hope and pray for national unity and reconciliation. They find their hopes and prayers unanswered by official Washington today.
Also, I predict, because of the enormity of this move, its realigning power in our American democracy, Senator Hagel's move would be met with joy throughout the far corners of America's friends everywhere in the free world.
Brent Budowsky is a regular columnist on thehill.com. He served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, responsible for commerce and intelligence matters, including one of the core drafters of the CIA Identities Law. Served as Legislative Director to Congressman Bill Alexander, then Chief Deputy Whip, House of Representatives. Currently a member of the International Advisory Council of the Intelligence Summit. Left goverment in 1990 for marketing and public affairs business including major corporate entertainment and talent management.
would be to promise to issue blanket pardons to Bush, Cheney, and the rest of their gang of war criminals.
Of course the Republicans would prefer that he do it as a Democrat, since it would give the flimsy and false appearance that the Republicans were no longer in control.
And the Democrats would also prefer that he do it as a Democrat, since they could claim another "victory."
Isn't it just amazing how many victories the folks in Washington D.C. have been proclaiming?
The world isn't going to change with another Democrat or Republican in the White House, Brent. It will change only when we throw the bums out along with their corrupt two-party system, and get some folks who will represent us instead of representing the military-industrial complex.
Until somebody in Congress introduces Articles of Impeachment against Bush and Cheney, they can posture all they want, but they're not really serious about ending the war or bringing about change. As long as Bush hold the veto and his "signing statements," his sock puppets in Congress are going to keep giving him standing ovations when they aren't licking his boots.
--Mark
by
Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 30 quicklinks, 100 diaries, 1325 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 9:32:50 AM
Chuck Hagel is very much a conservative Republican. He simply understands the truth of what is happening in Iraq. If I were a family member of his, I would advise him to stay and fight for the soul of his party. I am not a conservative, I don't agree with Senator Hagel on most issues. But I do think we need a strong healthy multi party system (I wish it were more than two)to hold the other side in check, and we need honorable men like Chuck Hagel to do it.
by
Peggy McCann (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:44:36 AM
It really disgusts me that the current frame and spin is that Hagel is taking some "high moral road" outside his party.
Senator Hagel is an imoral THIEF. Anybody who has studied the history of electronic electoral fraud in the US will find Hagel sitting right in the nexus of it all. He STOLE his Senate seat and now holds it by pandering to his constituency, moving to the left (and against the war) only as his state's population (and the rest of the world) do.
Senator Hagel would do anything and say anything to keep his power and possibly sit in the Oval. ANYTHING. That is not morality, that is pathetic.
I do not believe that "the ends justify the means," but that seems to be the guiding rule for Republicans. It is OK to cheat if you are really "morally superior" to your oponent. It is OK to lie about your enemy if they are "evil." It is OK to trash the constitution if you are fighting a battle against some perceived "enemy." I'm sorry, but I don't buy that.
There is room in my heart and mind to allow for people to grow and learn. David Brock is one such person, who was once one of "them" but is now fighting hard for truth and accuracy in our totally corrupted, right-wing, corporate media. BUT, I accept and support him because he CONFESSED first (two separate books, BLINDED BY THE RIGHT and THE REPUBLICAN NOISE MACHINE) and then set about to do good work to repair damage that he had created. It's why I do NOT forgive Paul Craig Roberts (who writes plenty about how bad Bush is, but seems to forget his role in propping up Reagan and his voodoo economics that began the process of destroying the American Middle Class) or Sandra Day O'Conner (who "warns" America about the risk of fascism without mentioning that it was her purely political non-legal decision in 2000 that allowed Bush to illegally occupy the Oval after his first stolen election) or any of the other Republicans who have ignored hundreds of illegal acts by this Republican Administration in the interests of "Party over Country" but are now talking tough because Bush is a lame duck and they discovered last November that (in the words of Greg Palast) "we can win so big they can't steal it."
Now the Republicans are running a little scared.
TFB.
Every one of them should eventually be charged with every crime we can find until admitting you are or ever were a Republican would be the moral equivelent of admitting you are (or ever were) a member of the Nazi party or the KKK.
We don't have the Senate in American hands yet. We are probably 10-20 votes short. But time will change that, if we don't succumb to thinking that these neo-liberals are anything more than opportunists, following the polls, to protect their financial interests and jobs.
Charlie L
Portland, OR
by
Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 720 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:47:24 AM
Hagel has been speaking out against the war long before it was popular to do so, and been more vehement about it than most of the so called loyal opposition, the Democrats. I don't know anything about him stealing elections, but I do know he is no Johnny Come Lately when it comes to criticizing the war
by
Peggy McCann (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 2:45:42 PM
Charlie's comment about Hagel and his lack of integrity should not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
Hagel often talks about his brother who is a liberal Democrat. Hagel knows that he is a conservative and a Republican and he knows why.
Hagel is partisan and loyal to his party, but I cannot an instance of his making gross aspersions about the Democrats.
He disagrees with us, but does so in a respectful and honorable manner.
The remarks about Hagel being a thief are contemptible rumor mongering. Hagel works hard, Hagel plays knuckle ball and Hagel is tough on opponents and demanding of staff, but Hagel plays clean and plays by the rules.
It is unfortunate when a man's integrity and sincerity are questioned entirely because he disagees with us on most issues.
Progressive issues and progressive activism will be enough to create a governing left of center coalition. We do not need to stoop to name calling gutter tactics.
Robert Chapman
Lansing, NY
by
Robert Chapman (28 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 7:24:04 PM
Hmmm. If I owned a company that made electronic voting equipment, sold that equipment to my state, left that company, ran for Senate, and in both the primary and general electon won "suprise" victories that far surpased the expected margins of error of the pre-election polls and exit polls, there would be a heck of a lot more than just "rumor mongering" at work.
He STOLE the election. I stand by that.
But, of course, Republicans NEVER do anything wrong, so I must be making it up.
by
Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 720 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 11:09:39 PM
Just want to say "Bravo" for a heartening, moving, and truthful piece of writing. I believe with you that the moment is at hand for such a dramatic event. More than gesture, more than rhetoric, such an action would be a galvanizing trigger for positive change. The passion stirred by Barack Obama is all the evidence I need to see that we are ready for dramatic shifts in this country. And not just shifts, but also returns: to decency, safety nets for the people, respect for the have-nots, justice, the sanctity of the Constitution, and a vigorous dialogue about civic virtues and responsibilities. thank you again for your stirring article.
by
Andreas (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:48:22 AM
Sen Hagel's influence in and vote counting ES&S ownership
interest would not hurt him either. (ES&S is one of the Big three voting machine companies and for years was #1 and may still be...) And yes, I've been noting some of his moderate stances that seem to make sense for America, with some bemusement, together with his presidential candidacy. But overall it's better that this potential conflict or control be public and disclosed than that it not be so publicly known and disclosed.
by
Paul Lehto (30 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 52 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:51:24 AM
...you mean he STILL owns stock in the company that helps keep him in office, but "forgets" to tell the American People?
Now THAT is surely the "moral high road."
ARGGGGG, save me from Republicans running away from Bush in a stampede. Every single Republican who voted with Bush on Roberts, on Alito, on that disgusting detention bill and just about EVERYTHING that this Republican Administration has done in the last 6 years and also voted NOT to investigate the multiple crimes and thought they had done their duty by having 12 hours of hearings on Abu Grabe should be thrown out of office as their turn comes up, just as they were in November. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
Running from their records of supporting this Administration in EVERYTHING THEY DID should not be allowed.
by
Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 720 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 11:16:59 PM
Sir,
Your article was very much on line for the Bush and Cheney administration. Americans need to open our eyes and realize what Bush is trying to do and then push hard for our senatorsand repersenatives to push for impeachment of both Bush and Cheney for their criminal misuse of their office to illegally invade Iraq. They need to be made an example of so that future presidents will realize that they face the same consquences if they misuse their power.
Thank you for a very informative article
by
bored65622 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 12:01:10 PM
A hearty welcome to Bored and a quick note of appreciation to him for chiming in.
For my money, the solution to Bush and the example to future Presidents is a political and moral question that should be solved by a moral and political reallignment among the American people.
For me, this means measuring the health of society by the condition of the bottom of the social pyramid and not by the wealth amassed at the top.
Progressive policies will assure that:
everyone receives retraining and financial support when jobs go away:
a quality education for every child regardless of where the family sends him to school;
a society where prompt and effective medical attention is a right;
and where every citizen is rewarded based his contributions to society rather than the marketability of his credentials.
With all due respect to bored, impeachment will not change anything, but political will and organization can achieve the goals I stated above.
Robert Chapman
Lansing, NY
by
Robert Chapman (28 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 7:37:37 PM
The point that needs to be understood is this:No matter what Congress passes, to actuallyreverse the escalation, it will have to takeRepublicans. Congress can pass anything, thenBush vetoes, then nothing happens. There areonly two ways we stop this thing. The firstis that we have enough Republicans to overridea veto. The second is that senior Republicansgo to Bush, as Goldwater went to Nixon in theend, and say: no more. Otherwise the carnagecontinues unabated, and we are just being angryand not stopping it. What we need are moreRepublicans like Hagel and fewer Republicanslike Lugar. Lugar privately strongly opposesthe policy, then lets it happen, while Hagelstrongly opposes the policy, and fights to endit. What Hagel is doing, is courageous inbeing the only Republican in the Committeesponsoring and voting for the resolution.The fight is only beginning with the DemocraticCongress only days old. If Hagel decisivelybreaks with Republicans as a matter of policyand principle, it really does change the world.
by
Brent Budowsky (84 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 1:18:54 PM
that Hagel is positioning himself for a run for the Presidency as a moderate republican. He is trying to fill a void left by a rubber stamping and now clownish looking GOP leadership. He is in no way a candidate for the messianic role you somehow envision because he stood with democrats on a meaningless position that has no power to change anything. Tomorrow he will still be a Republican.....
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 5:15:21 PM
It does not matter if Senator Hagel is a conservative Republican or an anarchist. Labels are words, and talk is cheap. What does matter is Hagel is doing the right thing. His motives are thinly veiled. He is offering mainstream Republicans a 2008 option to 14 years of the Neo Con cabel, composed of Newt, Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice and an assorted crew of walk-ons like Ashcroft and Gonzales. Hagel is taking the position that formerly belonged to John McCain, before he decided to give up his moderate positions of the 2000 campaign to become Bush Lite.
For these reasons, Hagel is the most dangerous threat to Democrats, even though he would be the most acceptable man his party could offer. But Dems need to know that Hagel, although honorable, is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is a lifelong member of his party and he has their interests are heart. Dems can take solace in that Hagel will nullify many of turncoat Joe Lieberman's votes during the next two years. For that, we thank you, Senator Hagel.
by
Dusty Nathan (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 53 comments)
on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 4:02:20 AM
I read this and immediately wondered what planet (or drug) you were on. Chuck Hagel is a conservative republican. He's been that way for a very long time. This week he voted with 20 some odd others of his ilk (Inhofe, etc.) to end the federal minimum wage. Is that proof enough for you? Yes, he is right about Iraq. But he is no one trick pony. Where have you been for the last couple of decades?
by
Shelly Gold (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 12:04:11 PM
I wrote a series of columns on Chuck Hagel, but the last one is one that should be read since it also brings up the fact he voted no to an increase in the minimum wage. My column can be read by going to this link: click here
Mary MacElveen
by
Mary MacElveen (264 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 31 comments)
on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 3:06:41 AM
17 comments
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