Former McCain ally touted for Obama's VP (Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel)

CNN ^ | August 12, 2008 | Alexander Mooney and Victoria Riess

[2ndDivisionVet]

Former Republican Rep. Jim Leach endorsed Barack Obama's White House bid Tuesday, and said he hopes the Illinois senator considers a former GOP ally of rival John McCain as his running mate.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters to announce a new effort among Republicans in support of Obama's candidacy, Leach said he thought Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel should join the Democratic ticket.

"There are a number of impressive potential vice presidential candidates and this is a singular decision for one person, and that is Barack Obama," Leach said. "But personally I'd be hopeful in the list of serious candidates to be considered would be Chuck Hagel, whether it be for the veep position or a serious position in an Obama administration."

[2ndDivisionVet]

I know Rep. Jim Leach, and he's the RINO's RINO, so this comes as no surprise. Senator Obama would be better served with Leach himself, who was once a foreign service officer at the State Department (very rare for a congressman).

[Jeff Chandler]

Ironic, McCain getting “McCained” by his buds.

[rfp1234]

Can the GOP expel Hagel from the party now? If yes, do they have the coglioni to do it?

[TheWasteLand]

If Obama picks Hagel and McCain picks Lieberman, this will officially be the most bizarre and depressing election ever.

[Joe Boucher]

Is Chuck Hagel in the same position John Edwards was?
I mean Edwards ran for the presidency because he would never have been re-elected by his state to the senate.
Would the folks of Nebraske re-elect this p.o.s.?

[Ben Reyes]

Seriously, folks, I think these people (pro-Obama RINOS) are suffering from a bad case of ‘Stockholm syndrone.’

[TNCMAXQ]

I wish Obama would pick Hagel. It’s not like they would carry Nebraska. And can you imagine the revolt that would occur in the Democrat party, especially among Clinton supporters? Hagel would hurt Obama far more than help him, IMO.

[camerakid400]

Chuck Hagel is pro-life, pro-gun, and for lower taxes. He is conservative on every issue except the war and borders.
So this makes no sense.

[Crazieman]

Already is.

[Pan_Yan]

If the Republicans had nominated Stalin would he be touting Trotsky as a Democrat VP?

[Hattie]

It won’t be Hagel. The pro abortion team won’t allow it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I second that notion

[dynachrome]

“Chuck Hagel WAS pro-life, pro-gun, and for lower taxes”

I think the lust for power and influence leads him to the dims. If the oba-messiah picks him he will have and immediate, public, mea culpa on abortion and the 2nd Amendment.

[DManA]

Hagel and Leach are presumable the type of people that McCain would hope to impress by picking Lieberman. Seems to me that he would be throwing away the conservative vote for nothing if these guys are any indication.

[capydick]

or a serious position in an Obama administration

Yea - name him to the Liquor Cabinet.

[Vigilanteman]

Nebraska is in the unique position of having a Democrat Senator who is better than their Republican Senator.

[Maelstorm]

Leach was always a weenie. He lost in 2006 because he refused to let conservatives save his ass against a Democrat write in candidate. He was squeamish about a anti-gay mailer and threaten to leave the party if it was distributed. Obama can have him. Hagel isn’t going to be Obama’s VP. It will probably be Bill Richardson. Now a real coup on Obama’s side would be to get someone on the ticket like Powell but I don’t see it.

[Flycatcher]

If Obama picks Hagel and McCain picks Lieberman, this will officially be the most bizarre and depressing election ever.

Not to worry. I'm sure the Hillary Clinton/Duncan Hunter ticket will come riding in to save the day. :)

[NEMDF]

Absolutely not. He would never be re-elected here.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Senator Obama would need a Governor Bill Richardson on the ticket to have even a chance with Hispanics. Polls aside, I don’t know one Hispanic that’d vote for Obama.