Hagel’s (un)Hyped Hellfire

Liberals – some liberals, anyway – should be careful about what they wish for.

These rumored “some” are all aquiver about elevating Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska to the White House in 2008, because – exclusively because – of the senator’s outspoken, visceral criticism of Mr. Bush’s war, as a Washington Post piece notes this morning:

“[Hagel’s] standing among conservative party faithful who will determine the outcome of the Republican presidential nomination remains strikingly low because of the intensity of his attacks on Bush. But Hagel has gained a particular following within the antiwar community. An Internet ‘draft Hagel’ movement has formed, and even die-hard liberals admit they find him appealing.”

Perhaps Hagel’s grassroots liberal support has been exaggerated by the press, as indicated by the latter’s referencing of only one or two enthusiastic liberal voices, such as …

“‘Chuck Hagel for president! If it ever narrows down to a choice between him and some Democratic hack who hasn't the guts to fundamentally challenge the president on Iraq, then the conservative Republican from Nebraska will have my vote,’ said an Internet article last week by [liberal columnist] Robert Scheer.”

The WP piece isn’t exactly loaded with statistical proof of an actual liberal groundswell for Hagel, but who knows? Perhaps there is one.

And if so, these supportive liberals are playing with fire, which will burn them but good should their wish for a President Hagel be granted.

Why? Just check out the following, representative voting record of Senator Hagel, which I’ve reproduced here from the nonpartisan research organization of OnTheIssues.org. But be warned: Your progressive hair is likely to stand on end.

Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)

Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration.

Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)

Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)

Voted NO on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)

Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)

Voted NO on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)

Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)

Voted YES on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)

Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)

Voted NO on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)

Voted YES on permanently repealing the ‘death tax.’ (Jun 2006)

Had enough? No? Then check out these statistics:

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 36% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

Rated 0% by the [League of Conservation Voters], indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)

Rated 100% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 12% by the [American Public Health Association], indicating an anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 8% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 22% by the [Alliance of Retired Americans], indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)

And, finally, the right-wing pièces de ré·sis·tance:

90% conservative voting record; 95% support of Pres. Bush. (Dec 2006)

Sound like someone you want in the White House?

I rest my case.

Comments

[Thomas]

You might want to compare that list of votes with Hillary's. I think you'll be surprised at the similarities.

[Shelly Gold]

Thank you for taking the time to assemble this information. I've been shocked at the support he's been given. Also, he recently voted to eliminate the federal minimum wage completely. He's a conservative's conservative - No Doubt!

[Vic Anderson]

Then, how's about some truly courageous bipartisanship: Webb-Hagel in '08? Doesn't get to the center any quicker than that!

[Gailzy]

Thank you, thank you, for writing this article. Yes, I'm glad he's against this awful war, but his record on other human rights is an abomination and I would suspect his only reservation against this war is monetary. Again, thank you for writing this.

[GonzoD]

You might want to compare that list of votes with Hillary's. I think you'll be surprised at the similarities.
thomas

Actually Hilary's voting record is not even close to Hagel's.

[Lorie S. Hawkins]

Keep the good information
coming, this is how we know who and what we're dealing with - thanks a million.

[Gwen]

How very true! Hagel's voting record is that of a true republican and the progressives in this nation should not even BEGIN to consider voting for the man. However, it really angers me that he is stating his outrage at this war the way the DEMOCRATS should be stating it! Except for a small handful, the democrats are acting in their usual wishy-washy ways and tip-toeing around the whole "war issue". It's absolutely pathetic!

I attended the recent anti-war rally in D.C. this past weekend and I can't even begin to tell you how WONDERFUL it was to be amoung people who share my same feelings about this illegal, immoral and outragious war.

Bravo to those congressmen/woman who stood before the crowd and stated for all to hear what a sham of a war it really is! It makes you wonder where the heck Hillary was - oh yeah! She was in Iowa telling them that we need to be out of Iraq by..... 2009! Is she completely clueless? We need out NOW!

Just an FYI: The ONLY presidental candidate who attended the rally was Dennis Kesinich (sp?). Now, THAT'S a person deserving the title of "President of the United States".