Hagel, Unrestrained, Lashes into Bush, Rush and the GOP: HuffPo

[steve2470]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/18/hagel-unrestrained-takes_n_144603.html

Two months before he leaves office, Sen. Chuck Hagel is increasingly unrestrained by political niceties.

Appearing at a forum at the Johns Hopkins School of Advances International Studies, the outgoing Nebraska Republican leveled harsh criticism at his own party, the lack of intellectual curiosity among some of his colleagues, the Bush administration's handling of nearly every aspect of governance and -- perhaps most bitingly -- the conservative radio voices that often dictate the GOP agenda.

"We are educated by the great entertainers like Rush Limbaugh," said Hagel, sarcastically referencing the talk radio host who once called him "Senator Betrayus." "You know, I wish Rush Limbaugh and others like that would run for office. They have so much to contribute and so much leadership and they have an answer for everything. And they would be elected overwhelmingly," he offered. " they try to rip everyone down and make fools of everybody but they don't have any answers."

It wasn't all an exercise in unloading pent-up frustrations. Hagel offered praise for Robert Gates -- creating the impression that he would like the current Pentagon chief to remain at the post once President-elect Barack Obama takes office. He also deflected questions about whether he would serve in the Obama administration or what he thought of the possibility of Hillary Clinton at Secretary of State. Moreover, Hagel offered what amounted to an hour-long plea for the next administration and Congress to reconfigure the way it works together and within the international framework when it comes to foreign affairs.

more at link above

[Alter Ego]

1. Hahaha. You tell 'em, Chuck.

I wonder what El Rushie Diablo had to say about this.

[bluestateguy]

2. Sounds like he wants a job in the Obama Administration

I still don't want a Republican as Defense Secretary.

I say, give him an ambassadorship to one of the "easy" countries, where you just go to cocktail parties all week.

[redstateblues]

3. Hagel has shown more courage than many of our own Democrats

While happy Obama won I still think the Democrats in Congress are largely a cowardly bunch

[jaksavage]

5. Agreed!

They have a long way to catch up with the public.
Foot draggers and self servers.
All politicians, most anyway.

[Inuca]

4. WHat a silly and demeaning remark n/t