McConnell visit for Hagel sends message
The message is the messenger.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell will headline two fundraising events for Sen. Chuck Hagel in Omaha next month.
Word of McConnell’s appearances on behalf of Hagel followed Wednesday’s report that an all-star list of Omaha corporate leaders will join Gov. Dave Heineman in co-hosting a six-figure Hagel fund-raising dinner.
As the leader selected by Republicans in the Senate, McConnell represents the core of his party and serves as one of the leading spokesmen for its conservative base.
The four-term Kentucky senator is a strong supporter of President Bush and his policies in Iraq.
The message his Nebraska trip appears designed to deliver is that Hagel, despite his strong opposition to Iraq war policies and his criticism of the president, is still a member of the team.
It’s the second counter-punch delivered by the Hagel campaign since Attorney General Jon Bruning revealed he’s preparing to challenge the senator in the 2008 GOP Senate primary election.
Earlier this week, Bruning released results of a poll conducted by his campaign that showed him leading Hagel by 9 percentage points. Hagel’s political director, Kevin Chapman, dismissed the results as not credible.
Bruning has attacked Hagel for supporting legislation calling for phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and for criticizing Bush.
Meanwhile, the Hagel for Senate campaign added a couple of big names to its list of co-hosts for the May 18 dinner.
Among them was Chuck Durham, former chairman and CEO of HDR, Inc.
Not previously reported among the hosts was Dan Neary, chairman and CEO of Mutual of Omaha.
Participants will be asked to contribute between $1,000 and the federal maximum of $4,600 per individual.
A $100-per-person reception will be held on the same day.
Neither Hagel nor Bruning has entered the Senate race, but both are positioning themselves as potential candidates.
If he runs, Hagel would be seeking his third term.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell will headline two fundraising events for Sen. Chuck Hagel in Omaha next month.
Word of McConnell’s appearances on behalf of Hagel followed Wednesday’s report that an all-star list of Omaha corporate leaders will join Gov. Dave Heineman in co-hosting a six-figure Hagel fund-raising dinner.
As the leader selected by Republicans in the Senate, McConnell represents the core of his party and serves as one of the leading spokesmen for its conservative base.
The four-term Kentucky senator is a strong supporter of President Bush and his policies in Iraq.
The message his Nebraska trip appears designed to deliver is that Hagel, despite his strong opposition to Iraq war policies and his criticism of the president, is still a member of the team.
It’s the second counter-punch delivered by the Hagel campaign since Attorney General Jon Bruning revealed he’s preparing to challenge the senator in the 2008 GOP Senate primary election.
Earlier this week, Bruning released results of a poll conducted by his campaign that showed him leading Hagel by 9 percentage points. Hagel’s political director, Kevin Chapman, dismissed the results as not credible.
Bruning has attacked Hagel for supporting legislation calling for phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and for criticizing Bush.
Meanwhile, the Hagel for Senate campaign added a couple of big names to its list of co-hosts for the May 18 dinner.
Among them was Chuck Durham, former chairman and CEO of HDR, Inc.
Not previously reported among the hosts was Dan Neary, chairman and CEO of Mutual of Omaha.
Participants will be asked to contribute between $1,000 and the federal maximum of $4,600 per individual.
A $100-per-person reception will be held on the same day.
Neither Hagel nor Bruning has entered the Senate race, but both are positioning themselves as potential candidates.
If he runs, Hagel would be seeking his third term.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.