OT, but an honest question. Did DU get crazy these last few days with all this love for Hagel?

[Mass]

It sadly reminds me of all the Democrats who wanted McCain on the ticket with Kerry (after what we know, not exactly a great idea).

I respect Hagel. He has done some very courageous things, but there is a long way between respecting the man and thinking he belongs to a Democratic ticket and shares the Democratic ideals (He probably would call it the Democrat ticket anyway).

I was totally shocked by a thread which, asking who was the least favorite for VO, showed Clinton topping the list with 4 times more votes than Hagel, who was the second one, third one Bayh (who has barely a Democratic record). I am not a supporter for Clinton as VP, but honestly, I cannot comprehend that people care that little about what people are about. Once again, Hagel is a good man, and if he was the Republican nominee, I would be a lot less worried, but i cannot see myself campaign for him.

[Inuca]

1. Well.. since I often pop up

in Hagel threads, I'll try to comment a bit on my support for him. First of all, I don't think he should be chosen as VP. I would not mind if he were, primarily because, rightly or wrongly, I really trust him, in the sense that if he were Obama's VP and God forbid something were to happen to Obama, I think he would do his best to continue Obama's policies, even if they were not his own. I may be completely naive to believe this, but I do. Also, it would make things damn interesting (following what both of them would say on the campaign trail, trying to show a unified front while attacking McCain would be worth paying for for the sheer pleasure of mental acrobatics), but that's of course said tongue in cheek, it does not really matter. But I think that choosing Hagel as VP would not only be too risky and inappropriate in too many ways to enumerate, but also I do not think it is the position that would make best use of Hagel's talents (and I do think that the man is brilliant in his own rather unique way). Like Webb, I do not think he is particularly good at being second in command. So I am far from rooting for a VP nod, but very much rooting for an important post in the administration. An endorsement would also be nice and possibly helpful.

The main reason I get in some of the discussions where Hagel is being thrashed, is that I hate with a passion the throwing of unsubstantiated and unjustified mud and the simplistic categorization of people and issues. I respect Hagel and admire his courage, smarts and good will. I think he is one of those rare politicians that is not in it for himself, and he truly believes in the idea of service and considers it an honor. I may not agree with many of his domestic policy stands, but I believe in his desire to do good, in his own way.

[Mass]

4. I like Hagel for all his faults. This is not the issue. The problem is that so many people are

ignorant of where people stand or could not care less. I am a little more cynical about Hagel, but I do not think he will be on the ticket (it would PO too many people that Obama needs) and I do not see how Hagel could credibly support Obama's domestic policies (He did not vote for the Medicare bill even if he is not running for reelection, so I guess his domestic conservatism is real, not just for Nebraska's sake).

[JI7]

2. i saw that one, i was surprised Kerry didn't get more votes

the administrators are able to see who votes which way in polls, i wish they would make that shown to the rest , or at least give the option for those who post polls to make it known who voted which way.

[Mass]

3. I was happily surprised to. I guess that, because of the recent news, people were seing her

as the most urgent threat. These people are reactionary, not proactive.

[JI7]

5. i agree, i was disappointed

i can even understand voting Nunn over Hagel. but Clinton ???? i'm guessing if the poll was posted during that day when the rumor about JK being VP came out, he would have gotten more votes.