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."
It's too bad that Hagel is leaving public office. We could use more like him.
Another turncoat. The key here is that "he is nearing the end of his career". He needs another ship to sail on.
Limbaugh is a Bimbo!!
To all you people who hate Mr. Limbaugh, then don't listen to him. Talk radio is the only outlet in the media we have to hear and discuss consernvative points of view. The other media sure doesn't present the conservative side, as evidendced by the election coverage. Why don't you start your own national talk radio show... Oh, wait, you tried that and it stinks (Air America)
I totally agree with Senator Hagel. Trouble is, only total idiots listen to and believe in Limbaugh, I wish somebody had a cure for total idiocy, but unfortunately what is total is TOTAL
This guy is nuts. He's NOT a conservative. Just because he's pro-life, doesn't mean he's conservative. He just wants to be in Obama's cabinet.
I can't wait until all the Obama addicts turn back on American Idol and stay off the message boards.
WOW! I'm a new Hagel fan! I was beginning to think ALL republicans had their heads in the sand while they listened to Rush and the Gang, but there IS intelligent life out there in Republican-land!
Hip Hip HURRAY!! All the Republicans aren't ditto-heads and Rushie lovers. If we can get more like him to speak up and tell it like it REALLY is maybe some of the sponsers and radio stations will pull their ads and start closing right wing talk hater radio down. These guys call themselves "true" Americans, huh? Well tell me what kind of "true" American would hope that their new president would fail just so their ratings can stay high?? THANK YOU Sen Hagel fdr telling it like it is!
MS November 18th, 2008 3:42 pm ET
I love how people who don't listen to a program know so much about it. Once again the 'open minded people' are hypocrites. Allowing 'leaders' like this to govern is ireresponsible at best.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey dude, we've ALL heard fat old limber and know exactly what he has to say. We just prefer not to listen to him any longer.
He doesn't tell the truth – he spins. Apparently you prefer the spin to the truth. I bet you watch FAUX news also..... figures.
Chuck Hagel needs to go home to Nebraska or wherever he came from. He's proven he's nothing by a spineless jelly. Go home and good riddance.
How exactly is Hagel a republican? Sounds to me like he's just looking for a job. How do you score points with liberals? Take a shot at Limbaugh of course. Is this strategy not transparent?
Exactly! Can someone tell me why so many Republicans are so filled with hate when they are supposed to be the Christian right? To me the two do not go together.
Pity them.
Hagel on Limbaugh (et al): "they have an answer for everything..." He's right to be sarcastic about Limbaugh. Wouldn't I be right for sarcastically saying the same thing about Congress?
Chuck Hagel= RINO
Rush Limbaugh= A liberal's worst nightmare
I love the way the Marxists commenting here keep talking about silencing Rush, Sean, etc. Just keep on showing the world who you really are.
P.S. It's called the FIRST AMENDMENT, LEFTIES!!!!!!!
WTG, Chuck....You're the last of a dying breed. No one in power wants non-partisian politics anymore. I hope Obama is wise enough to enclude you in his administration.
Yeah Sen. Hagel
Hey Mike Patton, a Rush Limbaugh in office because he is a Great American, please that is what people were saying about JOE THE PLUMBER. True Americans pay their Taxes unlike the plumber who turns out not to be a plumber at all and doesn't pay his taxes.
I see you made some Rushbots angry. Good job Chuck. I hope Obama get you in his cabinet
America would be a Better Place if Idiots like Olbermann and Maddow had no Voice to spit their Hate !!!!
I agree 100%. If good honest people would would not watch or support any sponsor of these extreme right wing people we could illumate them from the air ways. I am glad that someone in the republican party is man enough to speak up against a constant slandering of americans.
Bill Hewett
We'd be better off if they actually listened to Rush.
Anyone that is against Limbaugh is a GREAT AMERICAN. I would love to see Mr. Hagel geat acabinet position in the new administration.
I really want Hagel to be in the Obama Administration. He exactly the sort of Republican that they entire party should aspire to become.
Chuck wants a cabinet post sooo bad. He's retiring from the senate because he knows he wouldn't win if challenged.
I'm hoping that more Republicans (of integrity) speak out against the extreme right poster children like Limbaugh who give their party a foul name with their toxic rants. This is one of the key reasons that our country remains divided.