"Hagel Says GOP Is Not ‘Presenting Any Alternatives, Any New Options Or Any New Thinking’"

[TomCADem]

I expect this does not fit the two year corporate narrative that Democrats are doomed in 2010, but here is alternative liberal outlet reporting a fact that would normally be big news:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/03/hagel-says-gop-options/

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), the chairman of the Atlantic Council, recently sat down for an interview with the Washington Diplomat. In the interview, the former senator touched on a variety of topics, including what he feels is the need for the United States to “unwind” from the war in Afghanistan. Towards the end of the interview, Hagel says that while he has “no plans to renounce his membership in the party,” he finds that the Republican Party of which he is a part is not “presenting any new alternatives, any new options, or any new thinking“:

“I don’t see them presenting any alternatives, any new options or any new thinking,” Hagel said. “If the Republicans get back in power, what are they going to do? There is no articulation. It’s just a ‘no no no, I’m against Obama because he’s a socialist and he’s taking America in the wrong direction.’ That’s certainly an opinion, but what about you, Mr. Republican? What would you do?”

In fact, leading Republicans like Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and Peter King have proudly embraced the “no, no, no” agenda. Hagel told the interviewer that he remains confident that his party will once again rebuild itself. “The Republican Party will find a new center of gravity,” he said. “I think they’ll let this nonsense play out. It’s like a bad storm — it just has to go through.”

[FrenchieCat]

1. Can't be good news......

It's saying something trued about those nasty ass Republicans,
and we can't have that here! Not two months before an election anyways.
How would it look?

[gateley]

2. I always thought pretty highly of Hagel - but he calls Obama a socialist? WTF? nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. Is he saying that HE thinks he is?

Or is he just paraphrasing what a lot of GOPers are saying? :shrug: I think it is probably the latter and not the former.

[gateley]

10. Well you and two other DUers think this is what it is, so I'm inclined

to agree with you guys. I guess I just knee-jerk reacted. Whew! It didn't sound like him! Thanks! :hi:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. No problem

:hi:

[Dappleganger]

4. It's in quotes...

it looks as if he's paraphrasing the arguments which other republicans put up. I've always thought Hagel was a decent sort.

[gateley]

14. That's my sense of Hagel, too -- a decent sort which is why I

was so disappointed to see that. But you and a couple of others talked me down and made me realize I totally over-reacted. Thanks!! :hi:

[still_one]

5. He isn't calling obama a socialist, he is saying this is what the republicans are doing

Hagel is no liberal, and is quite conservative, however, he believes in honest debates on what is best for the country, not the circus that his party has become

He is also endorsing sestak

http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2010/08/chuck-hagel-to-endorse-joe-sestak.html

[gateley]

12. I knew he was endorsing Sestak and this just doesn't sound like

something Hagel would say which is why I over-reacted. :7 You and a couple of others set me straight -- thanks! :hi:

[rpannier]

6. No Alternatives? No New Thinking?! Oh Pishah

Tax cuts, Tax Cuts and more Tax Cuts, along with massive cuts in Social Services.
When has the Republican Party ever, EVER I say, ran on these ideas???

[Scuba]

7. They're only good at one thing: sticking to the message....

Remember their chant on HCR? Each and every one of them said the exact same words "tear it up and start over".

I think Cheney threatens to eat their children if they deviate from the script.

[Scuba]

8. They're only good at one thing: sticking to the message....

Remember their chant on HCR? Each and every one of them said the exact same words "tear it up and start over".

I think Cheney threatens to eat their children if they deviate from the script.

[Inuca]

9. Related, from Steve Clemons

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/move-chuck-hagel-from-oba_b_705929.html

[David Zephyr]

11. Excellent article. K&R. Thanks, TomCADem

for posting this. :)

[butterfly77]

13. Hagel was with Obama..

during the campaign.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. He says 'the Republicans' as if he is not one of them

I'd just like to note that one of the Republicans not coming up with any new ideas or finding a center of gravity for them is Chuck Hagel. What about you, Mr Hagel? What would you do?

[TomCADem]

17. If A Democrat Pulled That, The Corporate Media Would Scream Dissension Among The Democrats...

Instead, with Republicans, the corporate media smooths over differences of opinion while dissent among Democrats is given front page status.

[Arkana]

19. Hagel's not the one who's been out screaming about socialism and birth certificates.

And since he's no longer an elected official, he really doesn't have to come up with any new ideas for his party, does he?

[Arkana]

18. I continue to agree with Chuck Hagel, no matter how much DU tries to disparage him.

There are a few honorable Republicans left, believe it or not.