AP is reporting that Chuck Hagel is sounding the death knell on the Republican Party as its "evolved." Good. He's a good Republican, and should be ashamed of what his party has turned into. And, hopefully, he'll be able to lead it a new direction. I've always admired his unwillingness to be caught up in the party's corruption and demagoguery. We need more Repubs like Hagel—and will likely get them, now that this version is likely to get its a$$ handed to it by the American people.

Republicans have lost their way when it comes to many core GOP principles and may be in jeopardy heading into the fall elections, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. says. 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."

Hagel has not decided whether he will run for president in 2008. But he respects his wife's reservations about being first lady - cited in a book about Hagel.

"I think it just shows the immense good judgment of my wife and how sane she is. I don't know of any spouse who would wish the job of president on their husband or wife," Hagel said on Fox News Sunday. "It's a big job. It's a tough job."

Previous Comments

ID

107468

Comment

Now, Sen. McCain is ripping Bush on how he and his sold the Iraqi War: Republican Sen. John McCain, a staunch defender of the Iraq war, on Tuesday faulted the Bush administration for misleading Americans into believing the conflict would be "some kind of day at the beach." The potential 2008 presidential candidate, who a day earlier had rejected calls for withdrawing U.S. forces, said the administration had failed to make clear the challenges facing the military. "I think one of the biggest mistakes we made was underestimating the size of the task and the sacrifices that would be required," McCain said. "Stuff happens, mission accomplished, last throes, a few dead-enders. I'm just more familiar with those statements than anyone else because it grieves me so much that we had not told the American people how tough and difficult this task would be." Those phrases are closely associated with top members of the Bush administration, including the president.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-08-22T12:45:52-06:00

ID

107469

Comment

All valid criticisms. But the opposition is so, so short of offering viable alternatives to the current policy. Mostly you hear about a "change of course", but no specifics. And when there are specifics, they are feebly reasoned. We need ideas. Period.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-22T12:53:36-06:00

ID

107470

Comment

Are you sure there are none? Or, are they just not getting through? I've heard a great number of specifics proffered.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-08-22T12:54:30-06:00

ID

107471

Comment

I've heard only one debate that I thought was helpful. That debate stems from the Democrats suggestion that we need to set a timetable for withdrawal as a means to force the Iraqis to assume control of their own battlespace. The thinking is that the Iraqis will never assume control until we force them to. It's like taching your kid to ride a bike: eventually, you have to let them go and if they fall, they fall. The administration has argued instead that we can't set a timetable, because the enemy wil just wait us out and then seize control when we leave. Also, it will destroy the ability for the people to get behind he government, since they will be afraid that, once we leave, the government wil fold and they'll be killed for being on the wrong side. The adminstration simply says that the generals on the ground will determine when the Iraqis are ready. Anyway, this is at least a valid strategic debate, althought I think the administratioon is mostly right. Ironically, however, I noticed that the adminstration began pushing the Iraquis a lot harder to fend for themselves AFTER the Dems began suggesting this. That is, they actually succeeded in implementing part of the Democrats strategy without anyone noticing. I've been surprised that no Dems have made a big deal about this, but they haven't. Other than this, I really haven't heard a lot of ideas that I thought were workable. I've heard very few ideas at all; mostly just the "change the course" mantra (which, frustratingly, is mostly answered with the "cut and runner" label. Sheesh.) If you know of any ideas that sound promising, I'd like to be able to look at them.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-22T13:57:02-06:00

ID

107472

Comment

GLB, you are exactly right about the timetable. While I was there we did just that within our own AO. We spent 6 months training the Iraqi Police and Army. We lived with them and patroled with them. I have never seen so many terrified IP's as the day we turned the AO over to them. They were begging us not to leave. Well, sink or swim. They got rocketed one time. After that they increased their patrols and guard mounts. Things started to calm down and the economy started rising. We actually turned over a very large portion the the Iraqi's. Of course the media hardly even noticed. I had my doubts, we even had a pool going for when the first IP station would be blown up. It never happened and we continued our push north, away from the FOB. We were in a very volitile and violent area on the edge of the Sunni Triangle where the Sunni and Shia collide quite frequently. Of course this is easier said than done.

Author

nothing

Date

2006-08-24T16:09:17-06:00

ID

107473

Comment

Can someone show or tell me anything that is worth liking or respecting about the Republican party. I have watched both major party for 30 years and have rarely seen a single thing about the Republican party that is worth liking, respecting or emulating. They are the party of hate, racism, and division, of encroachment or imperialism, arrogance and lies, of blindly taking and killing for selfish reasons, of fiscal irresponsibilty, of great hypocrisy and survival of the fittiest by any means necessary except morality, and the party that would allow thousands of poor citizen in New Orlens to suffer and die needlessly with the world watching while simultaneously spending 75 billions in Iraq on a war started on knowingly bogus reasons. I can see a person becoming a Republican if he/she believes in the things enumerated above, or even because ther friends and love one are of that cut, but why would any reasonable, moral, loving, decent and fair person become a Republican? The Republican party didn't just recently become the way that it is now. How can so-called good and decent people like McCain and Hagel stay a member of such an abominable institution? I concede the Democratic party isn't any great example of what is perfect about democracy.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-08-24T16:58:31-06:00

ID

107474

Comment

Ray, REPUBLICANS are responsible for Katrina? You're full of it on that one and you know it. It was a DEMOCRATIC Mayor and Governor that botched that up. Blanco delayed giving permission to Bush to take over the National Guard and send in troops. That is pretty well documented. Democrats ran New Orleans for decades and as documented on the Katrina thread, botched flood control, levees etc down there for year. No serious person blames Katrina on Republicans (Yeah Bush gets some blame for response but I'd say he gets a third. Blanco and Nagin both deserve half or more of the blame). However, if you really believe that diatribe you just wrote, I won't try to convince you otherwise. Republicans want to starve babies, throw the elderly on the streets, conquer the world, poison the water, give all money to the rich, take away your freedom and your civil liberties, they want to not just lock up but kill every black person or make them a slave while they replace the Stars and Stripes with the Stars and Bars. Republicans will not be happy until every forest is clear cut and every arab is dead. They are completely evil and are worse threat to our country than Hitler, Stalin, and Mao were. I don't blame you at all for thinking the way you do.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-24T18:03:13-06:00

ID

107475

Comment

Let me guess- you didn't watch Spike Lee's documentary...

Author

Rico

Date

2006-08-24T18:23:58-06:00

ID

107476

Comment

I'm sure it will become a historically renowned and acclaimed film worthy of a pulitzer and oscar.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-24T19:10:50-06:00

ID

107477

Comment

Yeah, but did you watch it? Something funny going on down there...

Author

Rico

Date

2006-08-24T19:12:55-06:00

ID

107478

Comment

I'm going to let Al and Spike tell me what was wrong with the whole Katrina situation. Try The Politics of Disaster. Just came out. Excellent book.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-24T20:34:28-06:00

ID

107479

Comment

Gee. Corruption in Louisana. Who would have guessed? I don't need a Spike Lee Documentary to tell me that.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-08-24T20:47:14-06:00

ID

107480

Comment

I concede the Democratic party isn't any great example of what is perfect about democracy. One question, Ray: Do you strictly vote Democrat every single time, given your hatred for Republicans?

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-24T21:33:00-06:00

ID

107481

Comment

Ray, you should ask Yvonne Brown why she calls herself a Republican.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-24T21:33:33-06:00

ID

107482

Comment

Nothing: I spent a few weeks in Afghanistan, and the sentiment was the same. We were in a meeting with the local officials (we were trying to help them shore up their flood protection) and they brought a Taliban threat letter with them. The Taliban always threatens anyone who works with the coalition, and these guys said they have all had family members killed and/or burned by the Taliban. They were brave people, but they were definately scared. The Taliban would tell them "we've been here for decades -- the Americans are only here for a few years. Soon they'll leave, and we'll still be here -- and then you'll have to deal with us". Our translator said something similar. He is 30 years old, and has seen nothing but war his entire life. He said "why does everone have to fight in our country? Let Osama fight in Saudi Arabia. So now the Americans are here, bur for how long? I think they wil all leave, and then Afghanistan wil just be divided up among its neighbors" That fear, that the people have and that the Taliban exploit, is a big part of what hinders progress over there. By the way, thanks a lot for your service over there, nothing. I just got a taste of what it is like (I was a noncombatant -- the ONLY guy over there without at least an AK-47). But you military guys are doing the heavy lifting. I have even more respect for you, after I saw first hand what you guys do. Also, I have a cousin in Iraq right now, doing what you did (training Iraqis). If you are a praying person, I'd appreciate prayers on his behalf.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-25T01:03:23-06:00

ID

107483

Comment

Unfortunately, Jimmy Kingfish, I have to head off to Hattiesburg today and Aberdeen Monday and Tuesday. And Jimmy, I usually watch Jerry Springer to destress and laugh. Reading you email sufficed yesterday. I wasn't aware or convinced of the other negatives you set forth about your party. I'll add them the next time. If you throw a rock in a pack of dogs the one you hit will holler the loudest every time. I note no one has yet given me any reasons to like, respect, or emulate the policies or beliefs of the Republican party. Ejeff, I don't need to ask Yvonne Brown anything. I know much more about her than you can imagine. I'm not very impressed by her, Clarence Thomas, Michael Steele, Lynn Swan, or others like them. I will read Juan Williams' book too. Let me know what you think of it. And yes, Ejeff, I have voted for a couple of Republicans during my life time. I know a few more who I respect. Just like I figured there aren't any real or valid reasons to be a Republican other than the reasons I set forth above. You would think a good Republican like Jimmy Kingfish would point out pages of reasons to be a Republican. I still like you Kingfish and consider your attack/response so weak that I can't be offended by it. I can't debate you Jimmy or other Republicans unless and until you answer the original questions posed. In other words, please give me some good reasons or any reasons why a progressive person would choose to become a Republican. I'm off to Hattiesburg. I shall return though.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-08-25T09:03:46-06:00

ID

107484

Comment

Blanco delayed giving permission to Bush to take over the National Guard and send in troops. Yeah, imagine wanting to maintain control over the state herself rather than letting the feds run everything. She must be a (real) Republican at heart. What's worse than her delay is the fact that FEMA withheld life-sustaining supplies from New Orleans until she gave in on letting the feds take over the National Guard. -- Tim

Author

Tim Kynerd

Date

2006-08-25T09:10:48-06:00

ID

107485

Comment

Who said I am a Republican? I just thought the post about rebublicans was on the level of republcans who say that all democrats are dumb, they are evil, have no good ideas at all, etc etc.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-25T09:13:02-06:00

ID

107486

Comment

Tim, no one said anything about taking over the state. However, before Bush could have done anything with the troops and the national guard, the LAW requires Blanco to give him the authority. Your argument is not with me its with the law.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-25T09:14:02-06:00

ID

107487

Comment

no one said anything about taking over the state. No, you're right -- just its largest city. However, before Bush could have done anything with the troops and the national guard, the LAW requires Blanco to give him the authority. Your argument is not with me its with the law. Uh-uh. My argument is with the assumption that Bush NEEDED to do anything with the troops and the National Guard. -- Tim

Author

Tim Kynerd

Date

2006-08-25T09:22:07-06:00

ID

107488

Comment

Ray I only suggested Mayor Brown as a source since you wanted to know of a decent person who would associate themselves with the Republicans racist, hateful policies. I'm know surprised you know her (in fact I assumed you did) and your answer pretty muched summed up all I needed to know about your views and opinions. I'm not a Democrat or a Republican so I can't defend either party. In fact, I wish we could eliminate political parties altogether since both have proven to be corrupt and unresponsive to the People when they have power.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-25T09:22:08-06:00

ID

107489

Comment

I meant "I'm NOT surprised you know her" N.O./Katrina disaster was a failure of ALL levels of government, from "School Bus" Nagin right up to the White House and bumbling idiots he placed in charge of Homeland Security (which apparently doesn't mean security from natural disasters in low income communities)

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-25T09:38:11-06:00

ID

107490

Comment

Kingfish, your diatribe on Katrina ignored the majority of Ray's initial question, and is a typical response in the "argument culture." You're not really elevating the level of discussion, here. If you want to ask Ray about what sounded like a blanket assumption about "Republicans" then do that. But to start ranting about starving babies and crap doesn't help. At all. And makes you sound like an ass. Personally, I found Ray's question kind of on the edge of being useful, since it does paint all republicans with one broad brush struck, which is never helpful. However, I'm really confused as to why those who really do believe in what are (supposed to be) Republican positions on the role of Gov't, the role of the US, fiscal responsibility, etc, are not up in arms about the bozos leading their party. It's interesting that the Democratic voters of CT get criticized for voting Lieberman out of office (or, trying to). But, at least they are taking a stand about a member of their party who they feel no longer represents their views. I really don't see that happening with the republicans, and I'm not sure why that is. As for how I vote - if there were a republican out there who was fiscally responsible, believed in small gov't (stay the hell out of my bedroom, for instance), didn't owe his political career to (as an example) the Tobacco Lobby, and didn't lie to take us into war, then I'd vote for her or him. But, as far as I can tell, that person doesn't exist. and don't tell me about McCain. Last month he was on The Daily Show, and sounded like a totally creepy politician. Like he was getting ready to run for president, and was no longer free to actually state an opinion. It was incredibly disappointing. [And, no, I'm not an idiot. I know the Dems are screwed up too. But Ray's question was specifically about Republicans.]

Author

kate

Date

2006-08-25T09:57:29-06:00

ID

107491

Comment

Speaking of the "argument culture," click here for info on Deborah Tannen's book on the topic. This book quite literally changed the way I approach conversation, and journalism. It also explodes the "objectivity" myth that media companies try to hoist on an unsuspecting public. Remember: If a journalist ever tells you that they are "objective," run as quickly as possible. Same for "fair and balanced"™. They are lying to you.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-08-25T10:20:31-06:00

ID

107492

Comment

Kate, I think Republicans abandoned the fiscal responsibility part of their platform after the "Contract on America" and the takeover of Congress. Certainly the post-9-11 Republican Party has been co-opted by the Hard Right and neo-Cons who see evil behind every brown face or veil, and they are playing right into the hands of the Bin Ladens and the Islamo-Fascists. There are a few Republicans who are appalled by the current spending and foreign interventionist policies of the Bush Administration and Congress, but they have been marginalized by the neo-Cons in my opinion.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-25T10:28:19-06:00

ID

107493

Comment

Wonderful comments Kate. I was hopeful of gaining further understanding and insight as to why a minority person with good sense or any sense would become a member of that party. I'll past on commenting further.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-08-29T16:46:07-06:00

ID

107494

Comment

In response to Ray and anyone else that feels the same "Can someone show or tell me anything that is worth liking or respecting about the Republican party.....They are the party of hate, racism, and division, of encroachment or imperialism, arrogance and lies, of blindly taking and killing for selfish reasons"...***Here are some very pointed questions with valid and true reasons to your questions 1. What Party was founded as the anti-slavery Party and fought to free blacks from slavery? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 2. What was the Party of Abraham Lincoln who signed the emancipation proclamation that resulted in the Juneteenth celebrations that occur in black communities today? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 3. What Party passed the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution granting blacks freedom, citizenship, and the right to vote? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 4. What Party passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875 granting blacks protection from the Black Codes and prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations, and was the Party of most blacks prior to the 1960’s, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 5. What was the Party of the founding fathers of the NAACP who were themselves white? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 6. What was the Party of President Dwight Eisenhower who sent U.S. troops to Arkansas to desegregate schools, established the Civil Rights Commission in 1958, and appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren to the U.S. Supreme Court which resulted in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision ending school segregation? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 7. What Party, by the greatest percentage, passed the1957 Civil Rights Act and the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960’s? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 8. What was the Party of President Richard Nixon who instituted the first Affirmative Action program in 1969 with the Philadelphia Plan that established goals and timetables? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 9. What is the Party of President George W. Bush who supports the U.S. Supreme Court’s University of Michigan Affirmative Action decision, and is spending over $200 billion to fight AIDS in Africa and on programs to help black Americans prosper, including school vouchers, the faith-based initiative, home ownership, and small business ownership? [ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 10. What Party fought to keep blacks in slavery and was the Party of the Ku Klux Klan? [ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 11. What Party from 1870 to 1930 used fraud, whippings, lynching, murder, intimidation, and mutilation to get the black vote, and passed the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws which legalized racial discrimination and denied blacks their rights as citizens? [ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party NOTE: All answers are "b."***Next time before you start name calling check out your history there is plenty more where that came from. And Yes I'm BLACK/ African American/Educated And a REPUBLICAN!

Author

marieR

Date

2006-09-01T09:06:55-06:00

ID

107495

Comment

Marie, I hope you aren't ignorant enough to think I didn't know all of that past history you named. Why did you wait so long to respond. I have moved on to the next project. That past Republican party you write about was the old Republican party that snagged up Colin Powell, Rodney Paige, and many more progressive blacks of yesteryear. The present Republican party has long snagged a new kind of person (uncle toms, selfish blacks who hate poor blacks (neo-racist), old democratic racist that switched when the democratic party got to be really democratic, others who have always hated blacks, newly taught persons to hate blacks, and some good people just looking out for self, and a few good people who wishes everyone well like Kemp, McCain, et al. Many of these people hate the glorious past that you speak of. Apparently, you had to go off to school to come up with this since it took you so long to respond. Any black person having attended a good private black college or liberal and inclusive white college could have rattled these off immediately. I have no problem admitting the Republican party's glorious past compared to the Democratic party's treatment of blacks many decades ago. Do you have the gall, knowledge, and honesty to admit the Republican Party's obvious racism, dim recognition, and dismissal of black folks right now and for the past 30 or 40 years. I'm real busy right now but I will take time to debate you. I won't need much time or knowledge to prevail against you. You won't believe it but I'm proud that you took time to say something many others failed to do. While you're at it, tell me why blacks should be Republicans now considering the present Republican party. Don't tell me how the Democratic party is failing us. I have heard all this before. Tell me how the Republican party is helping us. Much love, and I await your reply.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-01T10:14:24-06:00

ID

107496

Comment

And Marie, I should say that I note almost everything you named happened in that glorious past. You didn't fool me by trying to throw in one item of recent times. That item/crumb is a farce. We poor and black citizens want desperately to be considered and wanted in America. Can you talk to your party about changing their hateful ways toward us? Tell them we have a voice too; not just a face and vote. I note the great Colin Powell got the hell away from Bush and Chaney once he realized they were crazy as hell. He learned as I already knew they wanted his face, not his voice or real imput. Had they listened to Powell and didn't force him to go against his perceptions we wouldn't be in this damn crazy war y'all started.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-09-01T10:41:55-06:00

ID

107497

Comment

Marie, to which party did the Dixiecrats flee to when, when faced with the Civil Rights movement?

Author

kate

Date

2006-09-01T11:18:55-06:00

ID

107498

Comment

marieR, please don't tell you don't know what happened in the Great Party Switch of the 1960s, when Dixiecrats fled to the Republican Party due to civil rights legislation. It's a different Republican Party, and with all due respect, your post comes across as a tad ignorant of history. That is, today's Republican Party sadly has allowed itself to become the Party of Thurmond, not the Party of Lincoln, but there are Repubs like Sen. Hagel who are trying to move it away from its disastrous deal with a hateful devil. Let's all pray that he succeeds, because this mess we're stuck with right now is ugly.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-09-01T16:30:32-06:00

ID

107499

Comment

It's impossible to defend Repubs in here, and democrats do no evil. Obvious. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-09-03T09:54:43-06:00