So long Hagel, you won't be missed...ummmmmm.... except by the Democrats in the Senate.
WASHINGTON - Chuck Hagel will announce Monday that he is retiring from the U.S. Senate and will not run for president next year, people close to the Nebraska Republican said Friday.
Hagel plans to announce that "he will not run for re-election and that he does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008," said one person, who asked not to be named.
Hagel has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Monday at the Omaha Press Club.
Hagel knew he didn't stand a chance of being elected as president as well as having a serious problem from Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, in the fight for Senate at the next election. (Hat Tip Red State)
Jon Bruning statement on Chuck Hagel at a townhall meeting:
ON IRAQ:
Actions speak louder than words. Regardless of what Sen. Hagel says, conservative Nebraskans are frustrated that he has repeatedly voted with Harry Reid and the democrats in favor of strict timetables for early surrender. They’re also frustrated with his comments that this country is engaged in an all-time “foreign policy blunder” and that the administration is “playing ping-pong with American lives.”
While I agree that diplomacy and international mediation are needed to help ease the burden on our troops, Senator Hagel’s plan does nothing to defeat the terrorists in Iraq or stop the sectarian violence that has slowed our progress. Security must be established before diplomacy can succeed. We must give General Petraeus a fighting chance to complete his mission before we talk about redeployment from Iraq.
Jon Bruning, early fundraising edge over Hagel:
According to campaign finance reports filed last week, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning nearly doubled Senator Chuck Hagel’s total receipts for the second quarter, raising $728,000 to Hagel’s $387,000.
“I am humbled by the fact that so many Nebraskans have made an investment in my campaign,” said Bruning. “Their confidence and trust has given me the momentum I need to win.”
The finance reports show additional advantages for Bruning, who declared his candidacy for the seat held by Hagel on June 7 of this year. The Bruning Campaign received more than twice the money from individual contributors, bringing in $723,000 to Hagel’s $322,000. Bruning also has significantly more cash-on-hand than Hagel, $620,000 to $483,000 respectively.
“For a challenger to hold such an early advantage is unprecedented,” said Bruning Campaign Manager Jordan McGrain. “We are in an incredibly strong position at this stage of the race.”
Not hard to quit for Hagel since he was being booted out the door anyway.
I second Red States suggestion, lets all donate, and make sure that Jon Bruning is elected into the Senate.
.