Hagel: Palin experience a ‘stretch’
(CNN) – Sen. Chuck Hagel has become one of the most prominent Republicans to openly question VP nominee Sarah Palin’s qualifications on Thursday.
"She doesn't have any foreign policy credentials," Hagel said in an interview with the Omaha World Herald. "You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything."
On her first overseas trip last year, Palin traveled to Kuwait and Germany to visit Alaskan National Guard troops.
In defending her own foreign policy experience, Palin has said that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her international expertise. Hagel, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called that notion “insulting to the American people.”
"I do think in a world that is so complicated, so interconnected and so combustible, you really got to have some people in charge that have some sense of the bigger scope of the world," he added. "I think that's just a requirement."
Hagel, who broke with fellow Republicans over the Iraq war, has said he will not endorse either major party candidate. The Nebraska senator has said he would have considered being Obama’s running mate and was rumored to be on his VP short list.
Although Hagel is a longtime friend of GOP presidential nominee John McCain, he traveled to the Middle East with Obama in July. Hagel also came to Obama’s defense in May after the Democratic nominee and McCain had a dispute over the best way to deal with Iran.
Hagel, whose Senate term is drawing to a close, is not running for re-election to the Senate.
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There has got to be more Republicans that can THINK like Hagel. One can only hope that the American people remember that they are American FIRST Not Republican.
Finally a man who stands for truth!!!!!!!!!! I live by the Marine base in VA but I sure as heck can't call myself having any military experience. Gov Palin just can't sem to answer a question. She sure can divert them to John McCain I can't wait to see her in a debate with Biden.
That's right "I CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM MY HOUSE".
He's right. Of course.., the only thing worse would be to have an even less experienced President!!
Thats politics of a looser...the moment mccain picked this woman as running mate its politics of a looser, atleast he can say he lost because his running mate had no foreign policy experience, he knew he was going to loose anyway, so picking gov. palin is every good reason to loose ...and not just because of her foreign policy experience...but rather because Obama is a much better candidate
"J from DC September 18th, 2008 4:08 pm ET
I heard a lot about the economy from Biden this week. Why do we not get to see more of Biden."
because today he said it's patriotic to pay more taxes. That's not what americans want to hear so CNN protects him
Hagle is an honorable man for daring to go outside of party lines and say which I suspect many other republicans, are actually thinking.
Palin is totally unqualified and unprepared to be VP let alone .
Obama has wisely chosen Biden who is well prepared for the responsibility of the job.
Sen McCain has been very reckless and lacking in judgement. His decision to choose Gov Palin as VP is not putting country first. It is more a case of putting his own ambition first.
The outrage throughout the country over palin is not about her sordid family mess or her mooseburgers or her hairdo.
It is over her inability to tell the truth, her sad overestimation of her own abilities, and her dogged determination to tell lies and fabrications even when faced with the glaring truth.
It is her total lack of integrity or honor that causes the outrage.
Good...stand up for what's right Chuck...none of this party first and country first crap. There's a whole list of better things to pick from:
TRUTH FIRST
FAMILY FIRST
COMMUNITY FIRST
REASON FIRST
UNITY FIRST
PRAGMATICS FIRST
PEACE FIRST
...etc...
NO, Say it ain't so! Is anybody awake out there?
Truth....I miss it, and it resounds so deeply in my soul.
Thank you Senator Hagel.
Charles Wong
FINALLY someone esle is insulted other than me....
omg... this has become a really aweful comedy....
Please vote obama
-V
MY BODY – MY CHOICE
MY BODY – MY CHOICE
MY BODY – MY CHOICE
MY BODY – MY CHOICE
Sour grapes–he wasn't chosen...guess why?
The great Palin dam has sprung YET another leak. Quick John, get your crack team in there to fix this impending disaster!
I believe it was Gloria Berger who said "the first rule of hole is to stop digging"
I think I will be jumping ship. After this, the Caribou Barbie comments and Charlie Norris the other day, this ship is sinking fast. Time to cut my losses.
Obama\Biden 08
McCain invented the Blackberry. Palin invented the "Bridge to nowhere". What a joke these two have been.
The American people ae not going to be fooled. Just wait until all the Obama workers gets people out to vote. Joe Biden is so cool. Go Joe Go...
Obama / Biden '08
Palin may have been a barracuda in Alaskan high school basketball, Palin may have been a pit-bull with lipstick on PTA but right now Palin is just an Alaskan Moose in the headlights of American national politics. Palin is a McCain mistake from Alaska that keeps on giving.
Forget the October surprise this hodgepodge is unraveling.
This is not a time for fear and panic,it is time for leadership .
Thanks
Hagel
I doubt this guy has been bribed by OB...
THE ORDER FOR QUALIFICATION FOR PRESIDENCY IS: McCain > Biden > Palin > OB.
So who will you vote for? Of course McCain/Palin
Put a leash on Sarah!
She walks! She talks! She crawls on her belly like a Reptilican! For the love of God, google "Uncanny Valley" and stare deeply into those eyes....
A hockey mom, with the equivalent international policy experience...all drawn from episodes of 24.
Hagel you the man.
Oh yes, she does Mr. Hagel! She knows that the Bering Strait separates Russia from Alaska and that's all she needs to know for foreign policy.
Please let this be the tip of the Republican anti-McCain iceberg...