The Hagel Dynamic
Steve Clemons is all a twitter at the thought of Chuck Hagel entering the presidential race. Since Steve’s forte is national security, I can understand his excitement.
Agree with him or not, you have to admit that Hagel’s has been the loudest, most consistent voice (except for Wes Clark) among possible contenders, on the debacle that is Iraq, and indeed, Bush’s whole foreign policy “vision”.
I think Clemons is right in as much as his entry could really shake up the race….
……..I’m must concerned about getting the Democratic contenders to shape up. I think with Hagel in the race — they will have little choice but to mimick his views on the Iraq War and foreign policy.
Wes Clark played this role on being the first significant political player to endorse direct negotiations with Iran.
Hagel will stir the pot in good ways. Americans need to get to know him to see if the other issues they care about mesh with the Senator’s views — but on foreign policy and national security and Iraq — I think he gets it right.
With Hagel in the mix, the current Dem contenders will have to face national security head on, instead of the usual sound bites and we all know how much they prefer to retreat to the safe cocoon of domestic politics.
As Matt Yglesias points out ….
When an issue is important to them, Democrats will really fight for it. Not just lip service –
But…..
I by no means begrudge airport baggage screeners their newfound union rights. Still, the speed, alacrity, and daring with which the Democrats pushed forward on this issue does make a telling contrast with the parties sloth and timidity in taking the progressive side in other fights about national security issue…..
And finally this…
Sadly, there are virtually no institutions of any consequence organized around providing a progressive take on the substance — as opposed to labor procedures — of national security issues. And until that changes, you’ll keep having what we have today; a Democratic Party with very clear ideas about whether or not airport screeners should be represented by unions, but very hazy ideas about how to deal with Iran.
I’m not sure that Hagel can win the nomination. As with the Dem primary process, he will have to contend with the “crazy” base. But just like Wes Clark, if he survives the primaries, he’d have a damn good chance at winning the GE. The war in Iraq is just going to get worse, not to mention Iran and Afghanistan. By 2008, the electorate will once again look for a “daddy” and if the Dems don’t have one in the running, they will turn to the Republicans again.
Which brings me to Wes Clark.
He has to get in the race!! No ifs ands or buts.
He is the only Dem who can take on the likes of Hagel and McCain….and he’d wipe the floor with Giuliani.
I think a Hagel candidacy will do many things but most of all, it will help Wes Clark. Even some in our “crazy” base will be forced to stand up and take notice.
Clark and Hagel will so obviously be the grown ups in the race, and boy, that’s a contest I’d pay money to see.
March 9, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Oy vey… that is interesting. I really do wish Clark would announce already… I’m tired of hearing from folks when I mention his name that they don’t even know who he is. Of course these same folks have probably never heard of Chuck Hagel either LOL.
March 9, 2007 at 3:47 pm
From looking at the list of Dems that are running, They really have no chance to ensure the trust of the American people on anything, let alone National Security.
So far it’s been feel good politicking, which will completely fall to dust when things get serious in the race over the summer and into the fall.