He is NO Eisenhower Republican (when will people stop listening to what people say and start watching what they do?), having voted with the Military Industrial Complex his whole career. Just because he calls himself one, does not make it so. He is a 'child' of Reagan, and will be until we can finally get him out of the way.

He is just another Congressional Bum, Republican species.

nalbar

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Chuck_Hagel_Abortion.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Chuck_Hagel_Civil_Rights.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Chuck_Hagel_Gun_Control.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Chuck_Hagel_Health_Care.htm  ...voted no on SCHIP

http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Chuck_Hagel_Homeland_Security.htm

He's a freaking wingnut!

nalbar

Reported in The Sunday Times, UK (a Rupert Murdock property)

Robert Gates is in the running, to be kept on.

Barack Obama may recruit defence chief Robert Gates

In defiance of traditional party labels, Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, may ask the defence secretary of President George W Bush to stay on if he wins the White House.

Obama's top foreign policy and national security advisers are pressing the case for keeping Robert Gates at the Pentagon after he won widespread praise for his performance. The move would be in keeping with Obama's desire to appoint a cabinet of all the talents.

[.]

Gates showed he was comfortable working with Democrats when he appointed John Hamre, a former senior official under Bill Clinton, to serve as chairman of the influential Defence Policy Board last year. He also appointed William Perry, a former defence secretary who is advising Obama, to the board.

Gates has said he finds it "inconceivable" that he would stay on but Obama's advisers believe he would respond to the call. "This is a man who believes in service," Daalder said.

[.]

Last month Gates said he backed negotiations with Iran, a policy favoured by Obama. "We need to figure out a way to develop some leverage . . . and then sit down and talk with them," the defence secretary told an association of retired diplomats.

[.]

Obama has previously told The Sunday Times he is interested in appointing independent Republican figures such as Senator Chuck Hagel to his cabinet. Hagel, who opposed the Iraq war, is still considered a leading contender for defence secretary or another prominent post.

Obama has also praised Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin's biography of President Abraham Lincoln, because it showed how Lincoln was able to marshal a civil war-era cabinet of former opponents.

Last week Obama told Joe Klein, a commentator for Time magazine: "The lesson is not to let your ego or grudges get in the way of hiring absolutely the best people . . . I have an interest in casting a wide net, seeking out people with a wide range of expertise, including Republicans."

Speculation intensified this weekend that Obama may offer Hillary Clinton the position of health secretary after he appointed Neera Tanden, her senior policy director and a key architect of her healthcare plan, to his campaign team.

Did we not read Steven D's post that Pentagon intends to send another 30,000 troops to Iraq in 2009?

Gates held on, Hillary and Bill in the cabinet. Oh fun! that should match the chaos in the economy.

Don't expect any change from Obama. No grudges. Same old, same old failed policies and willingly too as he bends over to please - with his hands holding his ankles.


Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"