Kerrey, Johanns stir follows Hagel's exit
OMAHA — It didn’t take long.
Sen. Chuck Hagel formally announced Monday he’ll not seek re-election and within two hours came strong signals Bob Kerrey and Mike Johanns are preparing to enter the 2008 Senate race.
During a phone news conference from Taiwan, Gov. Dave Heineman said he “fully expect(s)” Johanns to seek the Republican nomination to succeed Hagel.”
“I assume he will make some announcement in the next few days (or) within the next week,” the governor said.
Heineman served as Johanns’ lieutenant governor and succeeded him when Johanns resigned in 2005 to become U.S. ag secretary.
“Let me just say I know Mike Johanns very well,” the governor said.
Johanns spokeswoman Terri Teuber said he would have nothing to say at this time.
The ag secretary will be in Nebraska this week for appearances in Omaha, Grand Island and Lincoln.
Kerrey praised Hagel’s Senate service in a news release that listed Paul Johnson, his former Senate campaign manager, as a contact.
The Democratic consultant led Sen. Ben Nelson’s successful 2006 re-election campaign and almost certainly would manage a 2008 Kerrey bid.
“Any discussion of my political future will have to wait for another day,” said Kerrey, who represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001.
Kerrey has informed trustees he may leave the presidency of New School University in New York to return to Nebraska and seek the Senate seat.
Although eyes already were wandering toward Johanns, Kerrey and other current or prospective Senate contenders, Monday’s spotlight rested on Hagel.
“I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate, nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008,” he told a news conference at the Omaha Press Club.
Hagel’s declaration was accompanied by a comic exclamation mark when a framed cartoon depiction of him fell from the wall behind him.
“That’s not a good sign,” Hagel said with a laugh. “I would have preferred to have someone else tumble down.”
Hagel said his accompanying decision not to pursue the 2008 Republican presidential nomination was prompted by a number of factors, including his Senate responsibilities and family considerations.
“To run for president,” he said, “I’d essentially (be required to) walk away from my Senate obligations.”
With his wife, Lilibet, and their two children at his side, Hagel noted that daughter Allyn, 16, and son Ziller, 14, are in high school now.
“These are important times,” he said.
Hagel refused to elaborate on whether his declared intention not to seek any office in 2008 ruled out any participation in an independent national movement or consideration of a vice presidential bid.
“I’m not going to get into speculation or hypotheticals,” he said.
Hagel offered no clue what he may decide to do when his Senate term concludes at the end of next year.
“I’ll try to find gainful employment,” he said.
In any event, Hagel said, he plans to remain active in public policy.
“Public service has always been a big part of my life, and I hope to have another opportunity to serve my country in some new capacity down the road,” he said.
Hagel, the leading Republican critic of President Bush’s policies in Iraq, said he intends to remain “very engaged” in the continuing national debate on the war.
After the news conference, he and his family left Omaha to return to Washington for Monday's appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
Hagel said he will “be purposeful and work hard” during the final 16 months of his term, serving with the same intensity he has devoted to the job over the past 11 years.
“I am confident I could have won re-election,” Hagel said.
Nebraska’s GOP faces a challenge in retaining an open seat, he said.
“I don’t know how anyone can say it’s a safe Republican seat,” Hagel said, in view of recent Nebraska political history. Democrats have won nine of the past 11 Senate races here.
Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy was among a number of Republican officials and party leaders who attended the event.
Also on hand was Jordan McGrain, campaign manager for Attorney General Jon Bruning, a Hagel critic who entered the GOP race before the senator announced his intentions.
Bruning issued a statement praising Hagel as “an honorable man, one who is true to his convictions (and) always did what he thought was right.”
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
Sen. Chuck Hagel formally announced Monday he’ll not seek re-election and within two hours came strong signals Bob Kerrey and Mike Johanns are preparing to enter the 2008 Senate race.
During a phone news conference from Taiwan, Gov. Dave Heineman said he “fully expect(s)” Johanns to seek the Republican nomination to succeed Hagel.”
“I assume he will make some announcement in the next few days (or) within the next week,” the governor said.
Heineman served as Johanns’ lieutenant governor and succeeded him when Johanns resigned in 2005 to become U.S. ag secretary.
“Let me just say I know Mike Johanns very well,” the governor said.
Johanns spokeswoman Terri Teuber said he would have nothing to say at this time.
The ag secretary will be in Nebraska this week for appearances in Omaha, Grand Island and Lincoln.
Kerrey praised Hagel’s Senate service in a news release that listed Paul Johnson, his former Senate campaign manager, as a contact.
The Democratic consultant led Sen. Ben Nelson’s successful 2006 re-election campaign and almost certainly would manage a 2008 Kerrey bid.
“Any discussion of my political future will have to wait for another day,” said Kerrey, who represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001.
Kerrey has informed trustees he may leave the presidency of New School University in New York to return to Nebraska and seek the Senate seat.
Although eyes already were wandering toward Johanns, Kerrey and other current or prospective Senate contenders, Monday’s spotlight rested on Hagel.
“I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate, nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008,” he told a news conference at the Omaha Press Club.
Hagel’s declaration was accompanied by a comic exclamation mark when a framed cartoon depiction of him fell from the wall behind him.
“That’s not a good sign,” Hagel said with a laugh. “I would have preferred to have someone else tumble down.”
Hagel said his accompanying decision not to pursue the 2008 Republican presidential nomination was prompted by a number of factors, including his Senate responsibilities and family considerations.
“To run for president,” he said, “I’d essentially (be required to) walk away from my Senate obligations.”
With his wife, Lilibet, and their two children at his side, Hagel noted that daughter Allyn, 16, and son Ziller, 14, are in high school now.
“These are important times,” he said.
Hagel refused to elaborate on whether his declared intention not to seek any office in 2008 ruled out any participation in an independent national movement or consideration of a vice presidential bid.
“I’m not going to get into speculation or hypotheticals,” he said.
Hagel offered no clue what he may decide to do when his Senate term concludes at the end of next year.
“I’ll try to find gainful employment,” he said.
In any event, Hagel said, he plans to remain active in public policy.
“Public service has always been a big part of my life, and I hope to have another opportunity to serve my country in some new capacity down the road,” he said.
Hagel, the leading Republican critic of President Bush’s policies in Iraq, said he intends to remain “very engaged” in the continuing national debate on the war.
After the news conference, he and his family left Omaha to return to Washington for Monday's appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
Hagel said he will “be purposeful and work hard” during the final 16 months of his term, serving with the same intensity he has devoted to the job over the past 11 years.
“I am confident I could have won re-election,” Hagel said.
Nebraska’s GOP faces a challenge in retaining an open seat, he said.
“I don’t know how anyone can say it’s a safe Republican seat,” Hagel said, in view of recent Nebraska political history. Democrats have won nine of the past 11 Senate races here.
Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy was among a number of Republican officials and party leaders who attended the event.
Also on hand was Jordan McGrain, campaign manager for Attorney General Jon Bruning, a Hagel critic who entered the GOP race before the senator announced his intentions.
Bruning issued a statement praising Hagel as “an honorable man, one who is true to his convictions (and) always did what he thought was right.”
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
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