Hagel takes aim at Limbaugh, Senate colleagues
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/18/art.hagel.gi.jpg caption="Hagel had sharp words for Rush Limbaugh Tuesday."](CNN) - As his Senate career nears its end, Republican Chuck Hagel isn't holding back when it comes to criticizing members of his own party - including conservative talk radio hosts.
"We are educated by the great entertainers like Rush Limbaugh," Hagel said Tuesday during a speech in Washington, according to the Huffington Post.
"You know, I wish Rush Limbaugh and others like that would run for office," a sarcastic Hagel continued. "They have so much to contribute and so much leadership and they have an answer for everything. And they would be elected overwhelmingly. [The truth is] they try to rip everyone down and make fools of everybody but they don't have any answers."
Hagel has increasingly become critical of his party in the aftermath of the Iraq War and notably held back endorsing his longtime friend John McCain during the presidential campaign. He's reportedly under consideration for a cabinet post in the Obama administration.
Speaking at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Hagel also faulted Washington lawmakers for "raw, partisan, political paralysis."
"The American people don't like what is going on... they want us to start doing what leaders are expected to do, address the problems, find some consensus to governing. Get along. There will be disagreements, sure... but in the end we can't hold ourselves captives to this raw, partisan, political paralysis."
Amen...
Bravo. Finally someone on the right is critisizing the fact that some listen to much to the gas bag radio talkers. It becomes dangerous when that is their only source of information.
I Love Chuck Hagel! and im hoping he does end up in Obamas cabinet ,seems Hagel and Powell are the only decent Republicans left and hes right about Limbaugh its the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity that are destroying the Republicans, cmon Obama put Hagel in your Cabinet! and lets hope Limbaugh gets kicked off the radio
Hagel is a worthless lifeform. I hope Democrats are prepared for the inevitable knife lodged squarely in their backs. Chuck is loyal to Chuck and no one else.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I believe that Rush, Hannity and the rest are rsponsible for the position the republican party now finds itself in.
No one could have said it any better Sen. Hagel. Right on!
Tell it like it is, Chuck!
Oh by the way. I'm tired of reading comments with the words "loose" when what is meant is "LOSE". People don't "loose" elections. We aren't screws or bolts. People LOSE elections or games, or whatever...
Funding for education is VERY important folks.
I wish they were more politicians like Hagel
Rush who?!?
Hagel was a Democrat running as a Republican. Of course he doesn't like Limbaugh.
Chuck is one of the few republicans that I actually have some respect for. He is absolutely right.
Put him in the cabinet. He's a pragmatic bi-partisan who shows good judgement. We're going to need leaders like this to stick around, not retire to their home state.
You go, Chuck! Pity he's not running for re-election. And I'm a democrat.
Senator Hagel's comments on Rush and Conservative talk radio are appreciated and long overdue by someone from the Republican party! In my opinion, Sen. Hagel's bi-partisan posture would be very welcome in an Obama Cabinet.
AMEN!
Well said, Senator Hagel!
Hey Republicans: Can we trade you Hagel for Lieberman? A retired Hagel is worth 12 Liebermans any day of the week.
Way to go. Someone with guts who is speaking out against the conservative radio show morons. It's time to put our country first...
A man of real integrity and leadership qualities. Obama can't go wrong with Hagel in his admiistration.
Good for you Chuck.....standing up against Limbaugh, Medved, Bennet and the other pinheads on talk radio...
Interesting ... but you loss points as you have your own personal interests at heart. RINO...
I wish Chuck Hagel would be the SOS, but I guess I can settle for SOD. NO Robert Gates!
This Democrat would like to see Hagel at the helm of State, but as that does not appear to be possible, Defense or Homeland Security. I think it would be a missed opportunity not to include Hagel in the cabinet. President-elect Obama said he wants Republicans in the cabinet, and there are few better than Hagel.
Ya have to love his honesty, don't cha?
I may not agree with him on certain issues but agree completely with this...100% against clowns like Rush.