Republican Hagel Says Palin Not Ready For Higher Office
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel is a friend of Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, and the independent-minded Hagel is highly-regarded by some independent voters. Hagel has now made some blistering comments about McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate — comments that are likely to add to the growing negative image of Palin taking hold among many voters:
Senior Republican Senator Chuck Hagel has voiced doubts about Sarah Palin’s qualifications for the vice-presidency.
John McCain’s running mate “doesn’t have any foreign policy credentials”, Mr Hagel told the Omaha World-Herald.
Hagel, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, enthusiastically supported McCain in 2000 but broke with the 2007-2008 incarnation of McCain on the war issue. So he declined to support Democratic Sen. Barack Obama or McCain in the presidential campaign. He has been a staunch war critic who joined Obama on the Illinois Senator’s highly-touted post-Democratic convention Middle East trip.
But he reportedly remains on good terms with McCain — which didn’t keep him from mincing words on Palin:
“I think it’s a stretch to, in any way, to say that she’s got the experience to be president of the United States,” Mr Hagel told the Omaha World-Herald newspaper.
And he was dismissive of the fact that Mrs Palin, the governor of Alaska, has made few trips abroad.
“You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don’t know what you can say. You can’t say anything.”
Mr Hagel also criticised the McCain campaign for its suggestion that the proximity of Alaska to Russia gave Mrs Palin foreign policy experience.
“I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, ‘I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia’,” he said.
“That kind of thing is insulting to the American people.”
PERSONAL NOTE: I don’t find it insulting at all.
I rather like it. This post is written in my office in San Diego. I can drive 10 minutes from my office, down the I-5 south, and see Tijuana. It’s cool that this makes me an expert on Tijuana and Mexico, Latin America and foreign affairs.
I can also see the 7-Eleven two blocks away, which should increase my writing credibility and resume since it makes me an expert on businesses.
And I assume I have special expertise in another area — since I can see the topless nightclub on nearby El Cajon Blvd.
Impact of Hagel’s comments: The original post-GOP-convention media narrative was that Palin was a potent choice to bring in women voters and rally the GOP base. She has indeed rallied the GOP base. But there are signs that she’s not attracting women voters the way McCain hoped. The new media narrative is that she is being kept under wraps and not allowed to talk freely to the press because she is (according to the narrative) a light-weight on issues who needs a crash course from McCain advisers, many of whom are associated with the less-than-successful Bush administration.
Hagel’s comments add one more “me, too” to the less-than-stellar opinions on Palin (Fox News’ Sean Hannity does not count as an outside opinion and his interview of Palin did not qualify as a true, tough journalistic interview).
19 Responses to “Republican Hagel Says Palin Not Ready For Higher Office”
Hey Joe, I have to drive a lot more my job as well, so I guess we'll have to arm wrestle for Transportation Secretary.
Maybe Ms Palin thinks red China goes well with white tablecloths!
Ok that's a recycled joke that was told in DC about Nancy Reagan– but Hagel is right- the lady just got her passport, and looking across the Bering Sea doesn't count for much.
The amazing thing to me is that even in the controlled events such as the “town hall” meeting and Hanity she looks really bad – like a bubbly and somewhat vacuous former beauty queen who has memorized some responses but doesn't even get those right. I originally thought they would prep her well enough to do OK against Biden but now I'm not too sure.
I actually feel sorry for her- because the PUMA's are bound to notice that her knowledge and experience don't stand up to Sen Clinton's.
It was a daring bet, but in the end a poor decision by McCain. In all honesty, it makes me question his judgment- because in making that decision there were a thousand better-qualified candidates- so was he really putting “country first”?
CitizenKang, I believe I am eminently more qualified to be Transportation Secretary than you. I was commuting from San Clemente, CA (about an hour north of San Diego, for any non-Californians) up to Burbank every day for an animation job. Taking the train instead of driving, my total commute time was 3 hours EACH WAY.
I'll be awaiting my phone call from the McCain campaign – prepare to congratulate me if they win the election!
Hagel was one of a short list of Republicans I would have considered voting for. He's on the real “straight talk express”. John McCain's derailed months ago and is rusting in the junkyard next to his long lost integrity.
Kritt11, Hagel's voting record is actually to the right of McCain, are you sure about voting for him. But his actual FP experience and background can't be ignored. His speeches and papers on foreign affairs is impressive for someone from Nebraske.
Joe, CitizenKang and JWeidner, I think you're all inexperienced just sitting in your cars… I take public transportation to work everyday. Since mass transit is the wave of the future I think I should be Transportation Secretary.
Of course there's going to be a big scandal when it turns out that I gave up on public transportation in SF and started driving… but no worries- I have that covered, too. I have even greater experience!
As far as Hagel's comments….. I think this is important regardless of what one thinks of him. It's important because Hagel is well-respected among conservatives (well, up until today).
Rudi, as far as Hagel being to the right of McCain… I understand and agree with kritt11. Hagel is well-respected and I like him. I'm not sure I would ever vote for him because I don't agree with many of his policies, but when Hagel speaks I listen knowing that he isn't placing a lot of partisan spin on the issue.
StockBoySF: Driving in SF qualifies you for Sainthood!
I grew up there, and visit, from SillyCon Valley, only when I'm compelled. I remember a battle cry from when I was living in North Beach, in the '80s: Legalize Parking!
I hope Hagel isn't hoping for any decent ranking memberships in the next Congress.
I have recently broken my leg so my plater of paris cast gives me deep insight in european affairs. how far can we stretch the russia by the window stunt.
tO GO BACK TO A SERIOUS MOOD, AS A WOMAN, S.PALIN has insulted me and thrown back years of affermative actions. For real, she should stop her own verbiage….
I really respect Hagel and man did he just drive a truck over her.
Rudi-Yes I know he's much more conservative than I am on domestic policy, but I really respect his foreign policy views– and his courage and independence under partisan pressure are beyond reproach. He's also decent, and American hero, and painfully honest.
Hagel is a disgusting sexist leftist – what does he know about foreign policy. What can you see from Omaha – Iowa?
Joe, CitizenKang, JWeidner, and StockboySF, with all due respect, I should be Transportation Secretary. I work in my home overlooking a valley that contains both roads and a railroad track, so I can watch cars and trains go by. Therefore, I am the most visually experienced without actually being experienced.
Ricorun, “Therefore, I am the most visually experienced without actually being experienced.”
Well, since being visually experienced is what counts these days I guess you have it it then!
I guess the only thing that would top being visually experienced is being “dream-experienced” (as in “I'm experienced because I dream of xyz”). I wonder how long it will be before Palin throws that out as a qualification…
If you're Trans Sec, can I be your deputy assistant? I've always dreamed of being a deputy of something….
In the last few days McCain claims to be a co-sponsor of the 2005 Fannie Mae reform bill. Guess who was the original sponsor – Chuck Hagel
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=3…
Hagel is the real maverick, the other one only plays one on TV and movies.
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