Hagel will join Obama on Iraq trip
This is a great move, and as Jacob Heilbrunn explains, it’s a blow to McCain. Hagel is a veteran as well and aa Republican Senator who opposes the Bush administration policy in Iraq.
I’m curious to see who else joins Obama as it might signal potential VP picks. Biden seems like an obvious choice for the trip regardless of whether Obama is seriously considering him for the trip, but if Evan Bayh joins them, it increases the odds that he’s the pick.
Posted in: Democrats, Iraq War, President 2008, Republicans
Tags: Barack Obama, Chuck Hagel, Obama vice president, Veepstakes
There was an article this week in Italy’s presitgiou main daily paper, Corriere della Sera, that stated Hagel was the leading choice for VP of Obama. The article seemed to me to be a sort of safe way to trial balloon the idea outside the mainstream press in America.
The article listed out all the rationale, this is to unify the country and tried to draw parallels to Lincoln in 1864. Again the intent seemed to be to trial balloon the entire rationale and see if at least Italians might bite on how GOPer Chuck Hagel might fit Obama’s change message
I am not sure they get what they wanted. Italians don’t really understand the primary process and VP selection. In any case, I was left puzzled and so I guess the Obama folks really are serious about potentially putting Hagel on the ticket
I don’t think they will pick Hagel. The liberal base of the party would be pretty upset.
For certain it would be a major gamble but it also might be the only way that Obama can guarantee his own victory.
by naming Hagel, Obama would have a helluva lot of selling to do, to re motivate his liberal base. But in the end, what are they going to do, vote for McCain. Even if they sit out in some percent it might not hurt Obama.
the reason it might help him is because as a strategy it totally turns ever traditional mindset upside down which works with the change message, especially given the current polarisation of the nation. Also Hagel renders Obama immune against attacks against his lack of international and military experience.
I see Hagel as Sec of Defense but a shock move would be very gutsy and might just be the right thing to do