Posted by
Cary Wesberry on Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:01:23 PM
From CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama is heading to Iraq later this month with two Senate colleagues, Republican Chuck Hagel and Democrat Jack Reed, according to two sources familiar with the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's plans.
The sources said the official Congressional delegation trip, known as a CODEL, will occur around the time Obama heads overseas for a previously-announced campaign trip to France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, and Jordan to help beef up his foreign policy credentials. Officials are keeping the precise dates of Obama's trip under wraps, however, for obvious security reasons.
The inclusion of Hagel on the official portion of the trip is guaranteed to further fuel speculation that Obama might pick a Republican as a running mate on a presidential ticket aimed at winning over independents. Hagel, who privately discusses foreign policy matters with both Obama and Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain, has publicly left the door open to a possible bipartisan ticket.
Aides to Hagel and Reed both refused to comment when asked by CNN about the upcoming trip.
The Nebraska Republican could also be a contender for a Cabinet post like Defense Secretary if either Obama or McCain wins, according to strategists in both parties, because of his friendship with both candidates.
Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, is an Army veteran who is respected in both parties for his knowledge of national security issues. Democratic strategists privately say Reed is highly-regarded by Obama and could also find himself on the short list for a variety of posts in a potential Democratic administration.
There has been speculation that the delegation may also stop in Afghanistan, but sources familiar with the trip would not confirm the possibility of a second stop.
The most horrifying aspect of this article is that both candidates are considering Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense. If a liberal freak like Chuck Hagel becomes Secretary of Defense we might as well just pack-up our military and send every one our soldiers, both within the U.S. and without, home to their families where they would be allowed to do more good.
Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense is truly a nightmare come to life. As with all members of a political party today, don't let the (R) after Hagel's name fool you. Chuck Hagel is a liberal Republican who should not even be in the party. He, like McCain, has sided with Democrats in Congress more times than should be allowed for a Senator to remain in the Republican Party.
If John McCain chooses Chuck Hagel as his running-mate or appoints him to a high cabinet position if elected President, what is the difference between voting for the McCain campaign and voting for a Democrat? Hopefully this is all just rumor and pure speculation. Surely John McCain would not be so stupid as to pick Hagel over someone like Romney. Hell, I would take Huckabee over Hagel!
On the Obama side, Chuck Hagel is an appropriate choice for a running-mate and would not surprise me one bit. Hagel and Obama fit together quite nicely and I'm sure have few policy differences. Maybe just maybe Obama will choose Hagel and then he can steal all the moderate-left Republicans from McCain, thereby forcing McCain to return to the conservative base which he is unable to get elected without. Just a thought.