Posted on 08/19/2005 9:57:27 AM PDT by Mike Bates
Republican Party foreign policy expert Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record) is calling for the United States to open talks with Iran's new president and has dismissed President George W. Bush's talk of a military option against Tehran as an empty and foolish threat.
In an interview with Reuters during a trip across his home state on Wednesday, Hagel said the United States should greet the new Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with a bold diplomatic stroke.
"You've got a new president, a new opportunity to do something bold here. Why not take that opportunity and do something bold? Iran is going to be a major influence in the future of Iraq. It already is. Who are we kidding when we think that they're not? They are.
"I would start engaging with American face-to-face dialogue. We're not at negotiations yet, but opening that dialogue. This is a process. This needs to work. Every side has to give something here," said Hagel, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2008.
In an interview with Israeli television last week, Bush said "all options are on the table" if the Iranians refuse to comply with international demands to halt their nuclear program, and noted that he has already used force to protect U.S. security.
EMPTY THREAT
Hagel's response to that implied threat was completely dismissive.
"Quite frankly, what is the military option, what are we talking about here? We lose credibility in the face of the world when we say things like, 'Well just don't forget what happened to Iraq could happen to you Iran. We could invade you, we could bomb you.'
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Apparently he thinks the (R) stands for "retreat."
"Like McCain, he is trying to appear "moderate" to prepare for the 2008 Presidential primaries. "Moderate" = sellout."
McCain may be a moderate on domestic issues, but he is a hawk on foreign policy and would never agree with Hagel's "soft touch" approach on the Iranians. Make no mistake, whatever McCain's sins on domestic issues the man is no wimp when it comes to the use of military power. I really think McCain would be disgusted with his friend's remarks.
Am I missing something or is it the Senator? I do believe the whole world has been talking to Iran...how is that going so far, Senator???
Not only do we negotiate and trade with the Chinese (despite their nuclear threats against Taiwan -- a terrorist threat if there ever was one), but so do the Israelis.
Over 20 years ago, I met Iranians for the first time at Brookhaven Nat'l Lab - women who were nuclear physicists involved with an experiment there. I had no idea that there was such a broad, technically educated middle class in Iran, despite the reign of the ayatollahs.
Two and a half years after the invasion of an essentially defenseless country, we still can't establish basic security, even around the "green" zone in Baghdad. If we invade Iran, all we'll do is strengthen the mullahs politically - and they won't particularly care if a million of their citizens die fighting the "western devils". Even the educated, moderate classes will look upon their soldiers as heroes in a holy and just cause.
Hagel may only be stating the obvious.
Desperately seeking attention.
Soon he'll get his own whole hour with little Chrissy Mathews if he keeps this up.
MORON ALERT
Hagel wins the Voinobitch award for the week. Not one dime.
Hagle is just another one that I have added to my list of I will never vote for
ALL politicians want to get in front of the camera - you're going to be mighty disappointed if you're looking for a hero in the political class. Bashing Republicans because they are trying to be politically realistic will only get us Hillary in the WH.
You're not going to get very far around here by being rational.
Check everyone for goatees-maybe we're in a parallel universe!
Well, Bush wants negotiations too.
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- President Bush said Tuesday that he's deeply suspicious about Iran's nuclear ambitions, but that the country's new leader has indicated a willingness to negotiate.
Bush said he got word Tuesday that the newly elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said he is willing to work with other nations amid concerns that his country is developing nuclear weapons.
"Just as I was walking in here, I received word that the new Iranian president said he was willing to get back to the table," Bush told reporters at a brief question-and-answer session at his Texas ranch.
"If he did say that, I think that's a positive sign that the Iranians are getting a message, that it's not just the United States that's worried about their nuclear programs, but the Europeans are serious in calling the Iranians to account and negotiating," he said.
Invasion was never an option in Iran. That fact, alone, makes him an idiot.
nebraskans would really help us out if they defeat this guy in his next primary.
McMaverick isn't friends with McHagel. They are in direct competition.
Hagel has chosen to trash the war and the President while remaining subdued, but he says, in support of ending filibusters.
McCain chooses to trash the war but he does so through back channels and attacks on Rummy, but his real opposition is in Judicial and legislative conservative advancements.
They have both staked out different prominent conservative/Bush positions and opposed them to make a name. They will both be fighting for the Rockefellers, Dems and Indy's in the primaries. Fine by me, I wish them to their competition to flay each other's support to the bare minimum. Our job is to find a consensus conservative to sail easily to victory in the primaries while they destroy each other.
Hagel is like McCain in that both honorably served in the military. However, as politicians, they are both a complete POS.
And if anyone tells you, well he did serve his country, just tell them I respect them for that, however Benedict Arnold was also a war hero.
"And if anyone tells you, well he did serve his country, just tell them I respect them for that, however Benedict Arnold was also a war hero"
Did John Kerry serve his country?
If Hagel thinks he has any chance in hell of getting nominated he has another thing coming! This guy is truly out to lunch. Isn't there another more conservative candidate to run against him in the primary's? I am just venting.
Nebraskans should look for another Senator Roman Hruska. When Nixon nominated a guy criticized for being mediocre (Carswell), Roman famously said: "Even if he is mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren’t they, and a little chance?"
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