Nelson praises Obama-Hagel Iraq trip
Sen. Ben Nelson on Wednesday commended his Republican colleague, Sen. Chuck Hagel, for his decision to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan with Sen. Barack Obama.
“I’m sure he’s catching the cold shoulder from the more partisan people in his caucus” for his willingness to accompany the Democratic presidential nominee, Nelson said.
Hagel is to be “commended for stepping up,” Nelson said. “It’s fortunate a Republican is willing to join forces with Obama” to form the bipartisan congressional delegation, he said.
“A bipartisan (delegation) lends credibility to the purpose of the trip,” Nelson said during his weekly telephone conference call from Washington.
“The war shouldn’t be partisan,” he said.
Obama and Hagel, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be joined on the trip by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Nelson said he had heard rumors that other Republicans “apparently turned down the offer” to join the delegation.
Later, a spokesperson for the Obama campaign said those rumors are inaccurate and that no other senators had been asked.
Responding to questions about published reports that Hagel might be considered by Obama as his running mate, Nelson said he personally would have “no problem” with that kind of bipartisan ticket.
But, he said, it “probably would be pretty hard to pull off under party rules” that appear to require the vice presidential nominee to be a dedicated Democrat.
The next president needs to form a bipartisan Cabinet, Nelson said.
“We need to bring the country together,” he said.
Hagel also has been mentioned as a potential secretary of defense in an Obama administration.
Nelson, an early supporter of Obama in his primary battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton, said he believes he would be “part of any discussion about any Nebraskans who would be considered by the Obama administration or Obama campaign.”
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.
“I’m sure he’s catching the cold shoulder from the more partisan people in his caucus” for his willingness to accompany the Democratic presidential nominee, Nelson said.
Hagel is to be “commended for stepping up,” Nelson said. “It’s fortunate a Republican is willing to join forces with Obama” to form the bipartisan congressional delegation, he said.
“A bipartisan (delegation) lends credibility to the purpose of the trip,” Nelson said during his weekly telephone conference call from Washington.
“The war shouldn’t be partisan,” he said.
Obama and Hagel, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be joined on the trip by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Nelson said he had heard rumors that other Republicans “apparently turned down the offer” to join the delegation.
Later, a spokesperson for the Obama campaign said those rumors are inaccurate and that no other senators had been asked.
Responding to questions about published reports that Hagel might be considered by Obama as his running mate, Nelson said he personally would have “no problem” with that kind of bipartisan ticket.
But, he said, it “probably would be pretty hard to pull off under party rules” that appear to require the vice presidential nominee to be a dedicated Democrat.
The next president needs to form a bipartisan Cabinet, Nelson said.
“We need to bring the country together,” he said.
Hagel also has been mentioned as a potential secretary of defense in an Obama administration.
Nelson, an early supporter of Obama in his primary battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton, said he believes he would be “part of any discussion about any Nebraskans who would be considered by the Obama administration or Obama campaign.”
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.
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