Politicians should follow Hagel's example
In joining presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on a fact-finding trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, Sen. Chuck Hagel has provided an example of how to bridge the partisan divides that afflicts Washington.
The country could use more of that.
The announcement should not have come as a surprise to Nebraskans. Hagel has become increasingly vocal in criticizing the unbending and poisonous nature of today’s politics.
In a speech last month at the Brookings Institution, Hagel challenged Sens. Obama and John McCain to avoid divisive campaign tactics.
“One of these candidates is going to have to bring this country together, make Congress a partner, form a broad consensus to govern and help lead the world,” Hagel said. “If they so polarize and divide our country during the campaign, they will find it difficult to govern. The complexities of an interconnected world will require leadership and decisions from the new president from the day he takes office. These realities won’t wait until America might come back together.”
It’s possible that by accompanying Obama as he tours Iraq and Afghanistan, Hagel might be giving Obama aid and encouragement as he seeks to become the leader of the free world.
Perhaps. If that’s the case, so be it.
The more important consideration is whether Hagel can help Obama be a better president if the American public decides Obama should be put in charge of America’s executive branch.
For that task, Hagel is a good choice. Hagel, a decorated veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, will bring independence, incisiveness and military combat experience to Obama’s touring party. The third member of the three-member Congressional delegation will be Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a graduate of West Point and former Army Ranger.
Few would have predicted this development eight years ago when Hagel served as Sen. John McCain’s national co-chair in a primary race with George W. Bush.
But Hagel has followed his own path on the Iraq war, lonely as it might have been at times.
It’s to Hagel’s credit that he has handled himself in Washington in a fashion that Obama and Reed believe they can find common ground with a member of the opposite party and pursue common goals. Obama said of his traveling partners, “Neither of them are ideologues but try to get the facts right and make a determination about what’s best for U.S. interests. And they’re good guys.”
In an era in which Washington politicians spend more time keeping partisan score and playing gotcha with domestic and foreign policy, any instance of bipartisan teamwork deserves appreciation. Credit Hagel for practicing what he preaches.
The country could use more of that.
The announcement should not have come as a surprise to Nebraskans. Hagel has become increasingly vocal in criticizing the unbending and poisonous nature of today’s politics.
In a speech last month at the Brookings Institution, Hagel challenged Sens. Obama and John McCain to avoid divisive campaign tactics.
“One of these candidates is going to have to bring this country together, make Congress a partner, form a broad consensus to govern and help lead the world,” Hagel said. “If they so polarize and divide our country during the campaign, they will find it difficult to govern. The complexities of an interconnected world will require leadership and decisions from the new president from the day he takes office. These realities won’t wait until America might come back together.”
It’s possible that by accompanying Obama as he tours Iraq and Afghanistan, Hagel might be giving Obama aid and encouragement as he seeks to become the leader of the free world.
Perhaps. If that’s the case, so be it.
The more important consideration is whether Hagel can help Obama be a better president if the American public decides Obama should be put in charge of America’s executive branch.
For that task, Hagel is a good choice. Hagel, a decorated veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, will bring independence, incisiveness and military combat experience to Obama’s touring party. The third member of the three-member Congressional delegation will be Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a graduate of West Point and former Army Ranger.
Few would have predicted this development eight years ago when Hagel served as Sen. John McCain’s national co-chair in a primary race with George W. Bush.
But Hagel has followed his own path on the Iraq war, lonely as it might have been at times.
It’s to Hagel’s credit that he has handled himself in Washington in a fashion that Obama and Reed believe they can find common ground with a member of the opposite party and pursue common goals. Obama said of his traveling partners, “Neither of them are ideologues but try to get the facts right and make a determination about what’s best for U.S. interests. And they’re good guys.”
In an era in which Washington politicians spend more time keeping partisan score and playing gotcha with domestic and foreign policy, any instance of bipartisan teamwork deserves appreciation. Credit Hagel for practicing what he preaches.
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