Would Hagel switch from "R" to "I"

[Nightjock]

Hagel hints of independent presidential run
Says 'option is still open' and he has not ruled anything out

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18554414/

I am not as well versed in the world of politics as many here on DU. So I am not sure. Doesn't this mean it's possible? ....or can he remain a repug in the Senate and run as an indie?
Wouldn't a switch make that slime bag Lieberman irrelevant?

[BOSSHOG]

1. Hagel is a conundrum

I doubt he is as upset at his party then he is at the fucking idiot in the white house and his team of pencil dicked incompetent asses. They will soon be gone so Hagel will be able to proudly raise his republican head again in Nebraska, but he as an I in the Senate would be awesome. I can think of no U. S. Senator more irrelevant then lieberman. Some more ignorant, stupid, asinine, cowardly, but none more irrelevant.

[The Count]

2. It would be a bice check mate to Joementum indeed. The mere rumor is good

right now.

[Hand]

3. Depends on which party he caucuses with.

The two independent senators, Bernie Saunders :toast: and Joe Lieberman :puke:, both caucus with the Democrats and (with certain well-known exceptions) vote with the Democrats. I suspect that Hagel would continue to caucus with the Rep*blicans (if they'd let him in the door) and would certainly continue to vote along with them on most issues save Iraq.

He might do otherwise, though; stranger things have happened.

[William769]

5. Could he not cacus as an Independent?

"stranger things have happened".

[Hand]

8. Well, he'd be pretty lonely.

I don't think there's anything like an "independent" caucus. Of course, he could just declare "A plague on both your houses" and not caucus with either party.

Independent caucus... hmm... Saunders, Hagel, and Holy Joe. Cripes, that'd be a catfight! :rofl:

[William769]

10. Thats one I would pay to see.

[TwilightGardener]

11. Hagel and Holy Joe are buddies (despite Iraq)--but Saunders

and Hagel--baaaad mix, LOL!

[Tarc]

9. Doubtful

Being opposed to the Iraq war is the only thing he has going for him. Check out; http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Chuck_Hagel.htm

36% by he NEA, 0% by NARAL. He's a conservative Republican through-and-through.

[acmavm]

4. Hagel will do whatever he thinks will benefit him the most.

He's not one to let loyalty or ethics stand in his way.

[onenote]

6. he'll still caucus with the repubs no matter what he does regarding the presidency

Even if Hagel announced a separate run for president as an independent, it wouldn't preclude him from continuing as a member of the repub caucus. And why would he not want to stay a part of the caucus? Apart from the war he supports the repub agenda pretty much down the line. This is a guy who gets top ratings from the Concerned Women of America, from every "right to life" group you can find, from Grover Norquist's anti-tax groups, and from the NRA. He gets bottom of the barrel ratings from pro-choice groups, the ACLU, the NAACP, environmental groups, etc.

[TwilightGardener]

7. I believe he would run as an Indy for prez, if he doesn't see an opening

for him in the R party, which is likely not going to be the case. I have felt for some time that he really has his eye on the White House, and will do what it takes to get there--that's why I think he rankles Nebraskans so much. Not for his stand on the war, or against the Chimp (and as much disdain as he has for the Chimp, it goes double for his fellow Nebraskan, Cheney)--but because he is ambitious and has his sights set on bigger things. Nebraskans like to tear down those who become too big for Nebraska. That's why the best and brightest seem to leave and don't come back ('cept for Warren Buffet). But if he stays in the Senate, it will be as an "R"--he still has the backing of the party bigwigs here (including Governor Heinemann, whom Hagel helped put into office).

[sabbat hunter]

12. it would depend

on ifhe still caucused with the republicans or not. the D, R or I really doesnt matter, it is who you caucus with that matters.

and Hagel despite his opposition to the iraq war isnt someone we should be supporting considering his fairly right wing viewpoints on most other issues.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Not sure anyone here was supporting him--just speculating on his plans

and his impact on either the prez race or on Dems in the Senate.