Sen. Chuck Hagel objected Tuesday to use of statements he has made about the Iraqi war in a MoveOn.org ad campaign calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"This ad is dishonest," Hagel said in a statement. "I have never supported immediate removal of American troops from Iraq … I have said that to withdraw from Iraq now would have catastrophic consequences that would ripple across a generation of Americans, Iraqis and the entire Middle East."

Furthermore, in spite of his recent criticism about Bush administration policy in Iraq, Hagel said, "I have said I believe we can succeed in Iraq."

The newspaper and cable TV ads feature critical comments voiced by Hagel in a U.S. News and World Report interview last week.

The ads aired by MoveOn.org, a liberal political action group, state it's time to begin bringing U.S. troops home.

"What we want is a date to begin a responsible, phased exit of our troops from Iraq," said Eli Pariser, executive director of MoveOn.org's political action committee.

"We make this call for a responsible exit strategy because we understand that it is the American military occupation of Iraq that is fueling the insurgency there.

"As long as we fail to announce a timely withdrawal plan," he said, "the number of insurgents and the intensity of their attacks will grow."

Hagel is mistaken when he suggests the ads call for immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, Pariser said.

But, Pariser said, "He is a hero for speaking up when few others in either party have" challenged U.S. policy in Iraq.

Hagel told U.S. News and World Report he believes the White House is "completely disconnected from reality (and) the reality is we're losing in Iraq."

On Tuesday, the Nebraska Republican said he has "differences with the administration over the execution of our war policy" and will continue to speak up.

"Americans are entitled to an honest public debate about our policy in Iraq," Hagel said.  "Cheap, misleading 30-second partisan political attack ads debase our debate."

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.