Hagel Says GOP Has Lost Its Way
Written by Sam on August 20th, 2006I have had my differences with Chuck Hagel, but I have to say Amen to this, Chucky. Amen….
Hagel, a possible presidential candidate in 2008, said Sunday that the GOP today is very different party from the one when he first voted Republican.
“First time I voted was in 1968 on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta,” said Hagel, a Vietnam veteran. “I voted a straight Republican ticket. The reason I did is because I believe in the Republican philosophy of governance. It’s not what it used to be. I don’t think it’s the same today.”
Hagel asked: “Where is the fiscal responsibility of the party I joined in ‘68? Where is the international engagement of the party I joined — fair, free trade, individual responsibility, not building a bigger government, but building a smaller government?”
His frustration does not lead him to think Democrats offer a better alternative. But Hagel wants to see the GOP return to its basic beliefs.
“I think we’ve lost our way,” Hagel said. “And I think the Republicans are going to be in some jeopardy for that and will be held accountable.”
20
PM
Amen, indeed. He’s exactly right.
20
PM
Hagel voted for Republicans because Vietnam was a Democratic war. He thinks the GOP has lost its way not because of fiscal issues, but because President Bush is fighting terrorists in Iraq. He’s agaist the Patriot Act and he opposes Israel’s right to defend herself.
20
PM
I am aware of Hagel’s other positions, hence the reason I said that I have had many differences with him. However, on the specific issues he brought up in this article, he is dead on.
21
PM
If anyone would know that the GOP has lost it’s way, it would be Hagel. He helped get us where we are today.
21
PM
Hagel voted for the Bridge to Nowhere and I dont ever remember hearing about a Hagel amendment to cut wasteful spending. He can talk all he wants but it would be nice if he acted on these ideas.