Chuck Hagel for VP? Not sure about this (for Obama, not McCain)

[LynneSin]

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/06/17/hagel_veep/index.html?source=rss&aim=/news/feature

And Obama's veep is ... a Republican?
Some are buzzing about Chuck Hagel, a strong critic of Bush and the war, for the Democratic ticket. A bold idea or political fantasy?

By Mike Madden

Not the John McCain who's running for president this year, though. The John McCain who ran in 2000 and who rampaged in the Senate for a few years after that -- leading the charge for campaign finance reform, flirting publicly with Democratic leaders, opposing George W. Bush apparently for the sheer fun of it. The John McCain, in other words, who was for a time the favorite Republican of many Democrats.

Now Hagel seems to have taken over that title -- and he's being discussed as a contender for Barack Obama's vice-presidential pick. While Hagel is a long shot for the job, what seems to be stirring some interest in him is less a question of electoral math than of political metaphysics. Running with a Republican would reinforce the message that Obama is serious about changing the way things are done in Washington, and that he really does aim to move the country past the partisan battles of the last couple of decades. At the same time, Hagel's very public split with Bush and the rest of the GOP on the war in Iraq bolsters Obama's case about foreign policy -- that the administration has America on the wrong track vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. he has no progressive values. Take a look at his voting record

on democratic issues. The only redeeming value he has is that he alone stood up to the Republican machine (as a republican).

But, he is NOT progressive.

[NewJeffCT]

2. This guy scores a "0" or near "0" on almost every social issue

If Obama insists on appointing Republicans to his cabinet (and he will) I could see Hagel as Secretary of Defense or Veterans Affairs.

However, he needs to pick a good solid Democrat for his VP choice.

[KingFlorez]

3. His record on everything else is awful

Anti-choice and just about anti-everything else. No thanks.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Well, I suppose it would bring in the voting machine vote...

Other than that, it strikes me as a really dumb idea.

[LynneSin]

6. I think that's the only positive thing I could come up with

We'd seal the deal with one voting machine company.

[MaineDem]

5. A thousand times NO

I don't think we're in a position to have a Republican on the ticket. I can't see it ever happening. The convention delegates would probably never go for it even if Obama would ever propose it.

[spinbaby]

7. I actually like Hagel

I consider him to be one of our brighter, saner Republicans. But NO WAY is he going to be Obama's VP. No way. Not gonna happen. He's a freaking REPUBLICAN!

[pegleg]

8. We seem to forget about Hagel and "Black box voting"

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/bbv_chapter-3.pdf

He would be a Trojan horse.

[PBS Poll-435]

11. Yeah, but we would have a 100% chance of winning the GE!!!!!11!111

:sarcasm:

[pegleg]

12. Good point

[bicentennial_baby]

9. NO

Anti-gay, anti-choice....NO

[Pathwalker]

10. Would Democratic Party rules even ALLOW this?

I seriously doubt it. This would be a slap in the face to all the really great DEMOCRATIC choices he has for VP. And as a dead dog Democrat who is actually proud to have never voted for a Republican in my life - it would cost him my wee vote. Think about this - if he picks Hagel, then - GOD FORBID! - something happens to him, our only choice would be one of TWO Republicans???? How is this considered in any way wise? Intelligent?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Chuck Hagel!

Literally. :think: