re: #70 BeachDem

I always like Hagel—considered him one of the few honorable Republicans back in the day. I must have either sent him a letter or an email at some point, because I ended up on his Christmas card list for several years—and was not in his state.

And yeah, as soon as Obama liked him, he suddenly had cooties as far as the Republicans were concerned. And none of them were more hypocritical and full of shit than the Make Believe Maverick, McCain.

What I remember liking about him while he was far from the most moderate GOPer in the Senate, he was probably among the most diplomatic. He never struck me as an overly partisan guy like McCain has shown himself to be. I also had loads of respect for his military service. I think he understood war much better than many in the GOP including some of his fellow vets like McCain. But you’re right, as soon as Obama picked him, he became a HAmas sympathizer. It was nasty. The thing I remember is even when I was at my most partisan back then, I still thought enough of him to ask him a respectful question and he was polite to me and the whole group of oyung journalists that went that morning.I actually have a better memory of that then how Mary Landrieu who met my political science class the same year treated us. Not that I found her rude or anything but Hagel just gave me a good impression that he was a genuine statesman who put country beyond party, the whole thing that McCain has claimed he is about but has shown himself ot be anything but especially under Obama.