Chuck Hagel slams McCain, talks about possible Bush impeachment
By SilentPatriot Tuesday May 20, 2008 2:20pm
At a small gathering at the residence of the Italian ambassador Tuesday, Republican Senator Chuck Hagel took serious issue with some of the things John McCain has been saying lately about "appeasement," urging him to elevate the level of discourse in the campaign.
"We know from past campaigns that presidential candidates will say many things. But once they have the responsibility to govern the country and lead the world, that difference between what they said and what responsibilities they have to fulfill are vastly different. I'm very upset with John with some of the things he's been saying. And I can't get into the psychoanalysis of it. But I believe that John is smarter than some of the things he is saying."
Hagel also warned that he would not hesitate to seek the impeachment of President Bush if he unilaterally attacked Iran.
When asked to respond to rumors circulating within political circles that the Bush administration was ginning up the possibility of war with Iran, the Senator even raised the specter of impeachment.
"You've got the power of impeachment, now that is a very defined measure if you are willing to bring charges against the president at all. You can't just say I disagree with him, let's impeach him," said Hagel. An attack on Iran without Congress' consent, he added, "would bring with it... outstanding political consequences, including for the Republican Party."
I appreciate that Hagel isn't pulling any punches given that he's retiring this year.
John Amato: If only his voting record matched his rhetoric.
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Chuck, thanks for waking up. Although you voted with Bush on many bills, glad to see you're leaving the party that left you.
Come on over to the good side...in retirement
So why Impeachement over Iran --- but not Iraq?
No logic there ...
Should we hold our breath waiting for Chuck Hagel to do more than shoot his mouth off about impeachment?
Hey, I see a table, and it's got a stack of papers on it. Hey Nancy, check this out, the papers talk about impeachment, and they're on the table!
As the right wing crooks...let us go down the list my friends, the blathering, and bloated Rush Limbaugh, das fuhrer and devil incarnate Bill Oreilly, Dick Cheney (perhaps one of the most evil men in the universe), Sean Hannity (a man who needs no introduction, nor explanation), and their evil ring leader, right wing rock star George F. Will, express their tepid support for the John McCain candidacy (by the way McCain is French for "son of Cain") we liberals thank God, ...well,many of us do not believe in God, but we would fight in a legal, constitutionally declared war (which was in the parameters of international law) to the death to defend your right to believe in a God,...But I digress, we thank God that there are heroes of the republic like Chuck Hagel, Keith Olberman, John Stewart, Al Franken, and yes John Amato of crooks and liars, who know, un beseechingly, and unrelentingly, that the pen is mightier than the tomahawk missile, and that through the painstaking, and un beseeching, fire filled dedication to the non-stop reporting of the truth through all forms of media available in a modern society, that YES, we will take our nation back, we WILL, fight for truth again, yes, American, yes we can...WE CAN HAVE HOPE AGAIN,...YES AMERICA, YES WE CAN! (source: http://jviz.blogspot.com)
So, which position in the Obama administration is my senator lobbying for?
Patching up his legacy. Whatever that is.
"But I believe that John is smarter than some of the things he is saying.”
Algae is smarter than some of the things he is saying.
It's never too late to impeach. As for John McCain, he is a very scary man. He's a liar and a loose cannon. He belongs in the "crazy house", not the White House". And if I hear him say "my friends" one more time, I think I'll scream. He really creeps me out.
As the right wing crooks...let us go down the list my friends, the blathering, and bloated Rush Limbaugh, das fuhrer and devil incarnate Bill Oreilly, Dick Cheney (perhaps one of the most evil men in the universe), Sean Hannity (a man who needs no introduction, nor explanation), and their evil ring leader, right wing rock star George F. Will, express their tepid support for the John McCain candidacy (by the way McCain is French for "son of Cain") we liberals thank God, ...well,many of us do not believe in God, but we would fight in a legal, constitutionally declared war (which was in the parameters of international law) to the death to defend your right to believe in a God,...But I digress, we thank God that there are heroes of the republic like Keith Olberman, John Stewart, Al Franken, and yes John Amato of crooks and liars, who know, un beseechingly, and unrelentingly, that the pen is mightier than the tomahawk missile, and that through the painstaking, and un beseeching, fire filled dedication to the non-stop reporting of the truth through all forms of media available in a modern society, that YES, we will take our nation back, we WILL, fight for truth again, yes, American, yes we can...WE CAN HAVE HOPE AGAIN,...YES AMERICA, YES WE CAN! (source: http://spiritual-political-self-help.blogspot.com/)
Jusker @ 4:
Well a ton of Super Delegates-Delgates are elected officials so let me guess was he or she was elected by Clinton Voters? (Ugggh the thought of it)
So, any job you got?
Rusty Shackleford @ 6:
He doesn't know what he's saying.
He won't get better.
Whatever brain destroying drugs that Bush has been on, McCain is taking now.
Hey! McCain, go beat that beehive with a stick!
"Chuck Hagel slams McCain, talks about possible Bush impeachment"
Oh, no! Bush is in trouble now. Hagel will shake his fist at Bush like he's never shaken it before!
That'll show him just how serious Hagel is!!!
Democrappers, file the charges or shut the hell up. Please.
Have we not learned anything yet? The campaign
Promiseslies of republicans are rarely fulfilled. The stuff shrub promised has rarely materialized unless it was a handout to his favorite industry groups or other friends. He should have been on the fast track to impeachment during his first term! Thank You Nancy!I don't even know how to respond to this. It's pretty rare to see a Senator telling the TRUTH... even though it's not "sanctioned" by his party leaders. It's even MORE rare to hear that coming from a Republican. It's even more rare to hear that coming from a Republican during the after-math of Republican ROVIAN politics.
Why wait until even more damage is done? Sure Congress gave bush somewhat tacit approval to invade Iraq, but now they know the information bush gave to congress was, to say the very least, doctored.
Anyone who has been paying attention knows the white house is talking up the dangers of Iran both in Iraq and in terms of nuclear weaponry. They are laying the groundwork for justification for attacking Iran. Why wait and see if it happens, act now and guarantee that it doesn't.
These crimes must not go unpunished.
It's TOO LATE for talk of impeachment! It's time for a War Crimes Tribunal for the Bush cabal.
Rusty Shackleford @ 6:
hahaa
I can see fox noise graphic "Chuck Hagel (D) NE" ..
pissed off patricia @ 14:
True of course. And even if Obama wins perhaps the first week, month or so in the Oval Office he may be confronted with some kind of Iran incident involving U.S. military casualties and deaths and the Generals will be in closed high security meeting with Obama and say. . . Mr President we need to ATTACK NOW! We have beemn attacked by IRAN.
This will be the sword dangling over Obamas head.
Talking about impeachment, but not doing anything about it.
Chuck Hagel could be a democrat.
Spicegal @ 7:
I feel the same way. There's just something about him that makes me real uncomfortable. His mannerisms and the empty look in his eyes when he's reading a speech. I'm still in shock that he is a serious candidate for the president of our country, especially at a time like this.
I have this little test I apply to candidates. Would I trust them to take care of my house, pets and personal financial affairs while I was away a month on vacation? Just thinking of McCain being left to look after those things is nightmare material.
pissed off patricia @ 14:
OOOO! I know the answer! Because the Dems are bluffing! Problem is, the Neo-Cons aren't.
jimbo92107 @ 3:
The fact that ANYONE, particularly a Republican is even mentioning the "I"-word is a huge step forward.
He may have started late, but Hagel has been putting his head on the GOP chopping bloc for over a year now and I think he deserves much credit.
I see an Obama/Hagel ticket as unbeatable.
More words... words designed to make us believe that some of these corporatists still believe in the rule of law.
Puh-lease. This country is so down the tubes, we will not get it back. Not with Obama, not even with a back-from-the-dead Bobby Kennedy.
Myself, I'm really done pretending that our liberal outrage, and the websites, and the PACs will be able to turn back the tide. Mass media is now strictly a marketing tool for corporations, and that will not change in our lifetime. In fact, it will probably get worse. Our congress, including our beloved liberal dems, vote according to shrewd negotiations, not what is right. I am about 2 months or so from completely detaching myself from this endless cycle of impotent rage I feel when I read the blogs.
Blah blah quackity quack ... another Bush enabler figures out what the rest of us knew in 1999. Too later Chuckie.
On Hagel's Iran observation -- why not impeach now and save ourselves the worry?
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
I'm guessing there are a lot of people in the pentagon who will be happy as hell to see bush and cheney gone. Since Rumsfeld left, I doubt there are a lot of sane military personnel who are real excited about starting a third war.
Chico Hussein @ 23:
Oh yah a Dem and Con on the same ticket wonderful! Brilliant thinking there guy!
Anything but a Clinton though right?
Somebody wants to be McCain's VP!
Here that Bush? Don't fuck with Chuck!
blogenfreude @ 25:
There are just as many "Bush enablers" on the Democratic side as on the GOP side.
pissed off patricia @ 27:
The whole power structure of the Military is going to have to be overhauled. That means handing a lot of people High Powered Pro Bush military people their walking papers.
Should be interesting to see how that plays out.
MaxPower @ 29:
I think that slot is already filled by Lieberman. McCain needs him close by at all times to unscrew his screw ups.
L.A. Confidential @ 28:
I think that Obama would be throwing his entire campaign mantra out the window by offering a Clinton a VP slot, don't you?
bilhelm-big-gay-X @ 34:
Yes I have no doubt Obamas cheering supporters would freak out immediately and dis own him faster then the time it takes to swipe an illegal download.
He's a filthy republican, and you shouldn't believe a word he says.
They all talk big when they know their party is destined for a roller coaster ride in November.
I'm fed up with every one of them. There is no such thing as a fair-minded republican.
L.A. Confidential @ 28:
NO ONE should automatically be awarded the #2 job just because they lost the primary. I have nothing against Hillary and I would vote for her enthusisatically if she won the nomination, but reality is reality.
A Dem/GOP ticket will go a long way in verifying that Obama does indeed want to RE-unite the country. If not Veep, then maybe Scty of Defense. I fully belive that Obama will indeed have a Republican somewhere in his cabinet. count on it.
It's easy to show that you've got heart when you don't have to worry about re-election. Remember: even Lieberman was elected by a popular vote. So just when you think you have a problem with a small handful of politicians, remember the millions of people who voted for them.
Loosely quoted from Bioshock. :-p
Why not? That didn't stop the Republicans from impeaching Clinton on anything they could find no matter how flimsy or irrelevant.
Chico Hussein @ 23:
NO WAY. Hagel is right about the war, but he's waaaaaaaay to much a social conservative.
Bush MUST BE STOPPED BEFORE he attacks Iran. There are already grounds to impeach him NOW. Please pass these videos on to others.
A Warmongering War President Catapulting the Propaganda
Don't let Bush Trick Us into ANOTHER War.
n this letter to the editor of the Washington Post, Iran's U.N. Press Officer, stated: "It is not amazing at all, the pick-and-choose approach of highlighting the misinterpreted remarks of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in October and ignoring this month's remarks by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that "We have no problem with the world. We are not a threat whatsoever to the world, and the world knows it. We will never start a war. We have no intention of going to war with any state. See video: Curly quotes, Iran, Israel, Ahmadinejad & the Media
let's pass these videos on to others and get the word out.
L.A. Confidential @ 28:
How about all three??? Obama, Clinton, McCain Join Forces To Form Nightmare Ticket
Arlen Spector has said a bunch of tuff things about the Bush adminstration as has John McCain but in the end they all turn around bend over and spread em. I am sorry but I need to see some action, not just talk.
You step over this line and see what happens..... (I'll move the line).
Another empty threat from our spineless Democratic leadership!
Newsflash for Chuck; Don't you know impeachment is off the table?
Tom @ 41 has got a good point. What's the use of impeachment hearings if the president ALREADY pushed "the button?" It would be too late by then and all congress would be able to say is, "well, we can't leave now, it'll leave Iran in chaos." Sound familiar?
Talk is cheap.
Impeachment.....Ya know, I think I've seen this movie once or twice now...
Lotta chit-chat... Not a lot of action... I'm sure I'll get the notice when/if the chit-chat turns into actual results... (Fill in your favorite diety or not) knows we need that... Not just IF Chimpy pulls the trigger on Iran... Short advice to Chucky... Just do it dude.. Not like there ain't already enough reasons to out there, known, in the public domain...
On the other hand, I suppose even if its just a threat but it keeps numbnuts backed into a corner for the next nine months.. I guess that's better than watching him set another fire in the mid-east for someone else to put out... If this nation only learns one lesson from these last eight years of Chimpy's glorious trainwreck of a presidency, it will be that never again will a Bush, any Bush, man woman or otherwise, will EVER set foot in the Oval office with the title President of the United States... Never again.. ever.. an d Ol Prescott can give that betted shiny nickle back to the devil along with a rim job if we at least learn that one lesson.
Jenna? Not Jenna? Boy you two girls have your work cut out for you in trying to live down this shit your Daddy has left you with as a lasting legacy... Life might look fine right now, but I suspect living like a recluse later will grow tiresome...
Tough break ladies.. You know what they say though... you can choose your friends but ya can't choose your family... Maybe you can write a book about it and make a few bucks Jenna...Maybe not Jenna can help......Maybe it won't matter anyway... Your daddy screwed you two and I don't think just writing a childrens book with mommy is going to get that stink off anytime soon....JD
Dr. Acula @ 40:
Doc:
The war is this country's biggest problem right now. Everything stems from this.. The economy, gas prices, health care, etc. When you drop HALF a trillion bucks (directly) and over THREE Trillion bucks (indirectly) down the drain, something's gonna suffer.
as Veep (or SOD), he would not be dictating social polcies. His sheer prescence will help ease the divisive mood of this country, which isn't getting any better btw.
Think of the millions of disenfranchised Repugs out there who oppose this war and everything Bush has done. There are many of those out there you know, you just dont hear a lot about them. They would flock to an Obama/Hagel ticket overwhelmingly I believe.
this country has some mending to do and it's gotta start somewhere.
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Chico Hussein @ 37:
I find the idea of "RE-uniting" the country by moving the Democratic ticket more toward the Fascists side of the spectrum as one of the most horrible ideas I have ever heard!
I would suggest that people use McCain's troll service.... it's awesome. You can earn points. I don't know what you get for the points... maybe an extra spoon of gruel or something.
Chico Hussein @ 37:
No ones automatically awarding her the VP spot. Thats up to Obama, unless the Delegates change their minds at the last minute and Hillary pulls off a surprise upset. Don't think that can't happen.
And Kennedy by the way gave Johnson the VIP spot for exactly the reason you don't want Hillary to be offered the VP spot. To WIN otherwise he would probably have lost critical states he needed to beat the Republicans.
Thats politics. We got a ways to go before we have a reformed system.
emphasa @ 42:
No matter how you look at it the Neocons and Bush Co have seriously fu*ked up the American Psyche this past 7 years.
They even have the Dem's at each others throats.
Senator Hagel, there are MORE then enough crimes already committed to impeach bush and put him in prison for life. Quit jerking around, do your job!
Watch Bush SQUIRM IN FURY when NBC's chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel asks our WarLord President a few reality-based questions about his Foreign Policy:
MSNBC Video: Engels Interviews Bush
The White House Press Release that followed:
Setting the Record Straight: President Bush's Interview With Richard Engel of NBC News
Dan Froomkin:
The President vs. the Peacock
Screw Hagel. He's just another reich-winger who has pretty much voted in lockstep with Chimpy.
He and Conyers are both full of hot air.
This is when I really miss Paul Wellstone ...
I agree - Who else matches up so well with Obama's 'weaknesses' (experience, foreign policy, 'whiteness', 'ultra liberal' label) - Plus since Nebraska splits electoral votes and he brings some of those to the table as well - something no other VP could do. Plus with him you don't run the risk of losing the seat of an existing Democrat.
Clinton adds nothing to the ticket - female Dems will vote for Obama anyway and the racist won't vote for him regardless of who he picks as VP.
There are a lot of great candidates out there - many that would satisfy the base - but its all for naught if you don't win. Hagel as VP gives them a better chance to win - who else could say that?
Think it could never happen? Well its been done before - by no less than Obama's hero - Lincoln!
Terrible @ 54:
He couldn't even if he wanted to. Articles of Impeachment originate in the House of Representatives.
RayC @ 50:
I said an Obama/Hagel ticket, not a Hagel/Obama ticket !
Unlike most Repugs, Hagel has all the street creds when it comes to putting his life on the line for his country. I dont think Hagel is fascist or in line with the GOP mantra. He seems to have changed over the last year or so and primarily because of Iraq. We HAVE to fix Iraq before we get back to the business of governing America. In fact, Hagel might be a voice of reason when it comes to Iran, judging from the way Obama AND Hillary keep telling us that 'All options are on the table". They sound just like the Chimp-in-Chief. You dont hear Hagel talking this way. We may not like his policies, but he's "righter" than most Dems when it comes to Iraq/Iran and the destructive use of our military.
First of all, I think everything should do a #2 job every single day, whether or not they do well in the primary. It's just good for your general health.
I think that there might be a hope that a sudden incident with Iran might boost McCain's fortunes and save Bush for the humiliation that is going to come when he no longer has the protection of the Oval Office.
Hagel is doing the right thing here... He's letting Bush know that if he doesn't do anything stupid... he might actually be able to go back to Texas and live out his remaining years in shame and comfort. But if he tries anything crazy, then he's going to get himself in even more trouble, and have to deal with shame and legal consequences.
Anyone who wants to be taken seriously when they talk about impeachment had better have the papers in hand and be ready to arrest the m*********ers!
Otherwise please stfu.
Wow a Hagel post that mentions his voting record is an atrocity. Thanks Johnny, nice to see someone else has caught on that Chuckles is about as maverick as McCain.
MountainMan23 @ 55:
Here's the "deceitfully editted" clip that aired on the Nightly News:
NBC Nightly News
And Keith Olbermann's response to the White House complaints:
CountDown with Keith Olbermann
this aggression will not stand...
Chico Hussein @ 59:
Check Hagel's voting record, Lieberman votes against Bush more than Hagel does.
And of course the cons always create booming economies right?
http://www.boot.com/deficit.gif
Hard to admire a man who only finds the balls to speak the truth when he no longer has anything to lose.
And as for his atrocious voting record... how wonderful that he can absolve himself from being part of the problem for such an extended period of time by means of this 'death bed conversion'.
I will say this for Hagel, I like him more than pretty much any other Republican I can think of... bad thing though is that means very, very little.
Caption on photo:
"I will grab the President by his penis and beat him relentlessly until he cries for mercy."
i wonder why everyone is being hit with this sudden burst of clarity? Mmmm.
So what about Hagels' voting record? - He's a Republican that's the point.
What is the VPs job? - Its to work the backroom to get enough votes to pass legislation. The Dems won't have the 60 votes they need in the Senate - who would be better than Hagel to flip a couple of Republicans to voting Yes on important legislation like health care.
Bush really pulled the Republicans to the right - let Hagel and Lugar (Sec. of Defence) help rebuild their party back to the center. The Republicans will rise again one day - shifting them to the left is a great long term win/win for this country.
so that means if Bush "unilaterally attacks Iran" then we will go after impeachment. What happened to the crimes and breaches of the Constitution that have already been levied. Are they just swept under the rug? Geez, don't any of these guys have any guts and a cadre of lawyers to make a case for impeachment?
Hey Chuck and all you pussycrats in Congress: TALK IS CHEAP!
With all due respect, Senator Hagel...enough with the impeachment talk already! Stop being such a tease. With less than six months left until the election, it's almost too @#$%^&* late by now to start impeachment proceedings without the whole process becoming little more than an academic exercise -- because Bush will very likely have completed his second term and left office before a conclusion can reasonably be expected. You should have done something about Bush a long time ago -- but if Bush decides to unilaterally attack Iran, it will be at least in part because the Congress has chosen to default on its role in the system of checks and balances which our Founding Fathers designed to prevent one branch of the government from gaining too much power. If Bush decides to unilaterally attack Iran, it will be at least in part because you've given him reason to believe that he can get away with it.
Wow...more TALK of impeachment. I guess the stern letters will follow, too.
GET RID OF THEM ALL.
DCrowe @ 71:
You missed the whole point. Bush didn't drag Hagel to the left, he went along rather willingly. Now he decries the far right while voting with them almost every time. Do you think he's really going to stop doing this as a potential Obama VP? If so I'll have what you're on.
yeah!
He's a fascist as any of them.
Love the sentiment, but... it's wrong to bring politics across the oceans. If it's wrong for Bush, it's wrong for Hagel. Now, Chuck, come back here and say that.. and loudly!
Nobody is going to bother Impeaching Bush...this is a load of hot air...there simply isn't the TIME left in his term to do anything meaningful. What SHOULD happen is that Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, etc., should be arrested for war crimes and tried in an International court. Before they manage to make their escape to the Ranch in Paraguay.
Cabs are fab @ 13:
Fixed for accuracy.
You're welcome.
sen hagel's staff is still at the washington office -- i just now called to express my gratitude at him even SUGGESTING impeachment is an option (and that telecom immunity is NOT).
show senator hagel some love.
senator hagel's washington office #:
Tel: (202) 224-4224
pete @ 68:
As opposed to the Democratic party, that has yet to find its balls (because they are up to their eyeballs complicit in the whole criminally sordid mess we find ourselves in).
John Amato:
Amen, brother.
Possible impeachment, possible Constitution, possible Congress.
Probably not.
Blah blah blah. Nothing to see here folks.
Dem office-holders, feel free to resume your 24-7 masturbation schedule.
I like Hegal... Don't like his policies, but I admire his courage to be the lone voice in his party speaking out against the war.
You go Hegal! IMPEACH!
*sigh* I'm tired of talk! Though I'm becoming more and more impressed with Hagel he'd get my vote for president if he actually just did something instead of talked. I'd love for him to take down Lieberman and Pelosi while he's at it.
McCain may have started out with some high level of native intelligence, but his lack of principles, his lust for power, his intellectual dishonesty and his megalomania have turned him into a drooling moron. And he is showing signs of early dementia.
C'mon folks, give Hagel some wiggle room here.
I mean, how much damage can a Veep DO ???
(Ok, maybe that wasn't a good point.)
How much damage can a Sec'y of Defense DO ??
(oops!)
How much damage can a CIA director DO ??
(battin' 1.000 here!)
Ok, fuck Hagel.
You can't hold the Bush administration to a War Crimes tribunal because they are still in office. This is why impeachment must happen first!
Of course, this is all Nancy Polosi's fault. Blame her for continually blocking votes to on articles of impeachment (on anyone in the administration).
Maybe we should just send former members of the administration (like Rumsfeld) to France where there are warrants for their arrest for crimes against humanity. We can at least see this in a court of law.
Oh, and yes, I am a Republican. But an American first!
Lastly, there is so much cronyism in both major parties and across party lines (if you can believe that) which is why our government is so morally corrupt. There is no accountability even if would be politically expedient for the Dems to demonstrate their moral superiority over the GOP through impeachment. Amazing!
Hagel is a little late to the party. Even Obama took impeachment off the table almost a year ago.
your mama @ 86:
Yet, YOU took the time to come here and read posts.
hmmmm, interesting.
Hagel said he was leaving his party because he doesn't recognize it anymore. He said our current administration is the most incompetent, arogant party he has ever seen. But you are right, the Republicans stick with Bush anyway. They put the party ahead of the nation. I guess there just isn't enough money involved in caring about the nation. I'd like to see them all go down in November.
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