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Nelson praises Obama-Hagel Iraq trip

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 - 08:46:08 pm CDT

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.

Story Photo
U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.

“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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BiPartisan America wrote on July 16, 2008 2:16 pm:
" Like it or not, they must reach across the aisle and all work together. I believe thats the way the forefathers intended it. There are very few absolutes in life, and the truth, and the solution, are more often than not, somewhere in the middle. Contrary to the arrogance of political talk show hosts on AM radio and TV, it is not about Republicans or Democratics, it is about America, and she needs fixed. "

 Hop wrote on July 16, 2008 2:38 pm:
" The fact that the Bush administration has been so partizen makes me want to give the GOP a taste of their own medicine, assuming Obama wins in November. But that is counter productive, as evidenced by our current situation. Nelson has it right. In order to solve our problems both parties need to work together and do what is best for the country, rather than what is best for a political party. "

 Sue wrote on July 16, 2008 2:40 pm:
" Why would anyone be surprised!!! Hagel has always tried to ride both sides of the fence! "

 MarkyMark wrote on July 16, 2008 3:08 pm:
" Sue, how can Hagel "always ride both sides of the fence" when he had the most Conservative voting record in the entire Senate? Please respond. "

 Oxymoron wrote on July 16, 2008 3:24 pm:
" Is this the same Ben Nelson that has never had one thing good to say about Chuck Hagel until now that Chuck seems headed for a position in the same Obama administration that Ben appears to be crawling under the tent to enter? Pleaseeee! "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 16, 2008 3:28 pm:
" I am quite proud of Senators Nelson and Hagel. Unlike many others in this nation, they understand that sometimes you have to put the greater good above the party line and compromise. I sometimes disagree with their opinions, but I almost always feel they're in the best interest of Nebraska and America.

To my partisan friends (R's & D's): After years of polarization, we're finally moving into an era of cooperation. The bickering, name calling, and drawing lines in the sand is not getting it done. "

 Kent wrote on July 16, 2008 3:34 pm:
" Both of our senators have been accused by their own parties of "trying to ride both sides of the fence". Does this mean they are disloyal? Trying to please everyone?

Or maybe they are trying to be loyal to what their beliefs are in regards to what is best for their country, their state, and it's citizens. Partisan politics seem to be increasingly detrimental to getting things done and in a timely manner.

In order to have a chance at a political career the vast majority of politicians have to be in one of the two biggest parties who find more reasons to oppose each other than work together. I imagine a lot of Democrats and Republicans have views and beliefs that are exactly in line with their parties'. It is too bad that elected officials on both sides have to worry about whether they should be doing what they think is right when it could cost them party support.

I was once heard someone ask someone else if they were a good republican. The other asked "What does that mean?"
"You just vote republican down the line. From politicians to issues."

Should we be adapting all of our views to be inline with a political party or should it be the other way around? "

 Joseph P. Sokolovsky wrote on July 16, 2008 8:14 pm:
" Whatelse can Nelson do....he is a democrat....daaaaaaaaaa

At the same time....what a bunch of hype....a trip Iraq and Obama will
come back with all the answers to the war of terrorism....you watch
ABC CBS NBC CNN will say that very thing!!

I honestly hope that Barack Hussein Obama will select Hagel as his
V.P., that would be a HUGE step toward beating Obama in November. "

 Dennis Carey wrote on July 18, 2008 1:37 am:
" I'm from Mitchell, NE, now serving with the US Army Corps of Engineers, in Afghanistan. I think, my personal opinion, this would be a great combination. It's it time for America to stop bickering and become the great nation we can be. Barack Obama and Chuck Hagel, in any capacity, is a step in the right, correct, direction. "

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