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Hagel fields questions at town hall meeting

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By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007 - 04:52:07 pm CDT

Sen. Chuck Hagel was greeted by a friendly audience Tuesday as he detailed his opposition to Iraq policy before 300 participants at a town hall meeting.

Many of the dozen questions directed at the senator following nearly an hour of remarks were accompanied by expressions of admiration or support.  

Hagel’s arguments spurred occasional applause and a standing ovation at the end.

Story Photo
U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., speaks during at town hall meeting at Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus Tuesday. (William Lauer)

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Those in the audience who may have disagreed with the embattled Republican senator on Iraq or immigration policy did not speak up.

Immediately following the event, Hagel critic Jon Bruning issued a statement suggesting “conservative Nebraskans are frustrated that he has repeatedly voted with Harry Reid and the Democrats in favor of strict timetables for early surrender.”

The attorney general is a 2008 Republican candidate for Hagel’s Senate seat.

In making the case for redeployment of troops and a change in policy, Hagel argued against a precipitate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

U.S. soldiers should be taken out of the middle of civil conflict in the cities, he said.  Instead, the U.S. mission should focus on battling  insurgents and protecting Iraq’s borders, he said.

An abrupt withdrawal from Iraq “would not be the right or responsible thing to do,” Hagel said.

But, he told one questioner, he’s working with Sen. John Warner, R-Va., to craft legislation that would “withdraw or narrow presidential authority” in waging the war.

As for critics who hammer him for opposing the Bush administration’s Iraq policy, Hagel said senators “don’t swear allegiance to a political party or to a president (but) to serve the best interests of the country.”

Hagel questioned why all Americans shouldn’t be asked to bear some of the burden of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Less than one percent are carrying all the burden, making all the sacrifices, doing all the fighting and dying,” he said.

“Why aren’t we asking all of us to do something?”

“Are you willing to give up some of your tax cuts?” he asked.  Or insist that supplies of titanium be diverted from the golf industry so it can be placed on “some kid’s Humvee” to provide protective armor.

“I’m a Democrat who is exceedingly proud to call you one of my senators,” Nanne Olds of Lincoln said in posing a question.

Doris Marxhausen of Seward told Hagel she’s been an active Republican for 40 years “and I loved every word you said.”

Thanking those who praised him, Hagel said, “I’m just doing the job I’m supposed to do.”

It doesn’t matter that “polls have not been with me and my own party has not been with me” on Iraq or immigration reform, he said.

“We are undermining our own interests by what we’re doing in Iraq,” Hagel said.

“Almost every decision has been wrong, a bad decision.”

Hagel said “there were no terrorists in Iraq before we got there,” Saddam Hussein never was a direct threat to the United States and “history will not be kind to this administration.”

The political battering he has taken for standing against Bush’s policies in Iraq will not deter him, Hagel said.

“I’ve been in much tougher circumstances when they were using real bullets,” he said.  Hagel was twice wounded as an infantry sergeant in Vietnam.

As for Bruning’s criticism, Hagel said: “I don’t pay attention to what he says.  There’ll be a time for politics.”

Bruning’s statement Tuesday said he supports giving Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, “a fighting chance to complete his mission before we talk about redeployment from Iraq.”

Hagel will announce later this year whether he’ll seek re-election to a third term, pursue the presidency or leave elective office at the end of next year.

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


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Chris wrote on July 3, 2007 3:44 pm:
" This is typical of Sen. Hagel. Find a doey eyed captivated audience in the most liberal city in Nebraska, that is clearly duped by just another typical politician, and its pure political magic for him. Those who aren't wrapped up in the intellectually dishonest debate on Iraq policy, regardless of their position on Iraq, can see that Hagel's position has nothing to do with doing what is right for his country. But doing what is good for him. If Hagel were worthy of admiration, he would have developed some concrete workable policy initiatves with respect to Iraq long ago. Instead Hagel foolishly says we should get the U.N. involved. Never mind the fact that the U.N. is too corrupt, inadequate, and incompetent of a body itself to lend any help in Iraq. I'm tired of politicians like Hagel and President Bush. Its time for some real leadership on Iraq, so our troops can leave honorably without the price of gas rising to $6 a gallon. "

 whatever wrote on July 3, 2007 4:15 pm:
" When the primary is said and done Bruning will be a pariah in the Republican Party, one of only a few who will support the war, much like the few who still supported Nixon at the end. Bruning has made his bed and may live and die on the issue. Not only is Bruning a self serving selfish, flipflopper he is a stupid politician. "

 Marky Mark wrote on July 3, 2007 4:28 pm:
" Good Grief is Bruning counting on us hicks being stupid? Hagel has the #1 Conservative voting record in the Senate. That is a fact no matter how hard Bruning tries to spin it. Bruning is a flyweight trying to mix it up with the heavyweights by putting spin on issues that a third grader can see through. "

 That's rich wrote on July 3, 2007 4:33 pm:
" Bruning, who has never served a day in the military, accuses a veteran of wanting an “early surrender”. Bruning seems perfectly willing to spend more American lives (except for his own or anyone he knows) in an ongoing losing effort, with the impossible goal of bringing democracy to an inconceivably divided people, who hate each other only slightly less than they hate us. Of course that’s the revised (i.e. invented) reason we’re there, when the original goal of finding Saddam’s WMD fell through. John apparently thinks it’s worth spending our sons and daughters lives so Bush and his cronies don’t have to admit they were wrong to get us involved in this quagmire. Maybe if they can just keep it going for another year and a half, the next President will have to clean up their mess. "

 Fred wrote on July 3, 2007 4:48 pm:
" Let's talk fact. According to the American Conservative Union, in 2006 Hagel was the 36th WORST Republican voter in the Senate. In other words, 35 of 54 senators in 2006 had a better conservative voting record than Hagel. Sorry, but your fact "no matter how hard you try to spin it" just flew out the window. Hagel is NOT a solid conservative, NEVER HAS BEEN a solid conservative, and NEVER WILL BE a solid conservative. I went to the town hall meeting and it was quite clear that he had stacked the sudience. His people were there at least 30 minutes before the start to keep the dissenters out. How do I know? I got there 30 minutes early and had a tough time finding a good seat. He stacked it to keep the Bruning people out. That's his right; after all, it's politics. But if Hagel has the courage to hold another of these meetings, Bruning's people will show up the night before and camp out to get a seat where they can press him on Iraq or any of the other issues where Hagel has turned red. "

 Bruning? wrote on July 3, 2007 4:53 pm:
" When Hagel was young he was serving his country as a rifleman in Vietnam. On the other hand, Bruning spent his young years drinking brews at UNL and writing about his admiration for Hilary Clinton. Now Bruning sees an opportunity to exploit wishful "mission accomplished" fantasizing to try and get elected to higher office, while Hagel is one of few senators who is trying to solve this mess we are in. Get a life Bruning, come the primary, this Nebraskan is voting for Hagel. "

 Euro Advice wrote on July 3, 2007 4:55 pm:
" Tancredo won't go long because he will split and gross out the ethnic vote in the primaries. "

 Lola wrote on July 3, 2007 5:25 pm:
" Jon Bruning can do all kinds of macho posturing against Hagel's stand on Iraq because there's a good liklihood that Hagel won't even stand for reelection. I'd like to hear a Bruning plan for Iraq that takes into account the basic fact that the US simply does not have the military forces to continue this war in its present mode. Our troops and equipment are badly depleted and, even with $1 billion paid in re-enlistment bonuses and incentives in 2006, recruiting is not keeping up. Then there's the $19 billion the US has spent training Iraqi police and soldiers who still aren't showing up for work. So, Jon, how about some reality-based solutions for Iraq? Bruning is in over his head on this one. "

 Ricky wrote on July 3, 2007 5:28 pm:
" I admire Hagel for his stance on the war. Does Brunings' comments about a "timetable for surrender" really mean anything to anybody? He is the one out of touch with reality. Thanks to Sen. Hagel for trying to get us out of Iraq. Ricky From Omaha "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on July 3, 2007 5:43 pm:
" John Kerry also served in Vietnam. It didn't mean his support for unilateral nuclear disarmament in the 1980s was right. It wasn't enough to win him my vote, either. Hagel's active subversion of our Iraq policy, and of border security, need to be considered on their own merits. And let's be honest; most of Hagel's supporters in his 'town hall' meeting, and on this site, won't be voting in the Republican Primary; and their principal interest is that we nominate the weakest possible GOP candidate. Hagel looks awfully weak to me at the moment. "

 d wrote on July 3, 2007 6:01 pm:
" Wow, I didnt know about this town hall meeting - of course, im not a Hagel supporter.. That may have had something to do with it. Don knew about it though! "

 Bob wrote on July 3, 2007 6:53 pm:
" Who is going to speak up in that stacked forum? Fortunately, Hagel can not stack the voting .... "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on July 3, 2007 7:03 pm:
" Bruning is an afterthought...just as he appears in this article. He's a small fry trying to play on the big stage and he just sounds like an idiot. Nebraska has shown they won't support a "YES" man when they elected Nelson over Ricketts in a land slide. The same will happen with Bruning. "

 hmm wrote on July 3, 2007 8:30 pm:
" I would consider Saddam a pretty big terrorist. I agree that we shouldn't fight a civil war (although we do it all the time) and focus on the insurgents. But how do you do that when the insurgents have chosen sides? How can you tell the difference? Granted this war has been messed up for a long time, but I think Gen. Petraeus is on the right track. We are just now seeing all of the ground forces there, and it won't be a quick fix. It will definitely take time. Wars can't be won in a day, but they can be lost in a day. I can only pray that the US has the constitution to see the job through. The price of this war has not been very high - in all reality. The numbers of dead and wounded have been minimal in comparison to any other war. It would probably be best if the draft was re-implemented. I realize that I have lost most readers after those last two sentences - but its true. And yes, I am in the draft pool and with my education/experience I am guessing that I would win that lottery pretty quickly. Lowing enlistment standards is not a good idea! "

 Marsha wrote on July 3, 2007 11:21 pm:
" Attaboy Chuckie - chew 'em up and spit 'em out! (Nice suit.) "

 Bushie wrote on July 4, 2007 1:01 am:
" I voted for Hagel, But I wont vote for him again. My God people Hagel is always on sunday talk shows complaining aBout president Bush, and that was Back when the president was popular. Now that Bruning has the guts to take him on Hagel hasnt Been as vocal against the president except when it comes to the war. I agree with Bruning ....Hagel needs to Be thrown out of office. As for the war. Boy that sure does make alot of sense withdraw from iraq. Further emBolden the terrorists. Let 3600 Americans die for nothing. That makes alot of sense Senator Hagel. When the going gets tough senator Hagel runs away from the proBlem and offers no solutions. "

 TeeToe wrote on July 4, 2007 4:50 am:
" Stop deluding yourselves with outrageous conspiracy theories. There were no Hagel henchmen at the event screening people for their political views in order to "stack" the audience. The event was open to all, and seating was not assigned. Sounds to me like John Bruning is recruiting supporters from UFO conventions. "

 OK Fred wrote on July 4, 2007 5:59 am:
" I checked out that American Conservative web site and it showed Hagel had an 85% conservative voting rating. That doesn't sound that bad for a conservative. However, I would rather vote for a person who is willing to speak and vote his concience than be a lap dog and follow a inept leader blindly. That is exactly what Bruning would do. If you want to live in a country where the leader has absolute authority and everyone thinks the same, please move out of America. America was founded for all people with different views and have the right to be heard without retribution. BTW, I wonder how many of you Bruning and Iraq war supporters have actually served in uniform let alone in combat. If you haven't, the military is looking for warm bodies to serve as cannon fodder. "

 whatever wrote on July 4, 2007 6:48 am:
" Hagel's meeting was well advertised and was not an "invitation only" event. The Hagel haters could have been there if they wanted too. The fact they weren't should be an eye opener to some of you. "

 Wm. Morris wrote on July 4, 2007 8:56 am:
" Senator Hagel is a Republican from my Grandfathers Republican Party. Truly a man for all the people. The current Republican Party has become corrupt (as has the Democratic Party) and chameleons like Bruning try to take advantage of ill-informed voters in this state by spewing rhetoric that claims to be "conservative". Conservative, in reality, would be not rushing off to war with a country that has not attacked us. Being conservative would not be supporting economic growth that pads the pockets of the most wealthy while causing middle income families to actually have less pay bills with when their income is adjusted for inflation. Senator Hagel is a refreshing voice among Washington politicians. He continues to have my support. "

 JT wrote on July 4, 2007 9:02 am:
" Bush only has a 40% approval rating in Nebraska, so Hagel is in step with most Nebraskans. Here's an idea, how about we elect a Democrat (Scott Kleeb?) so we don't have to deal with all this Republican garbage? "

 D wrote on July 4, 2007 9:37 am:
" Does it not tell us all something that Chuck Hagel had this in the most liberal square mile of the most liberal city in Nebraska, and Don Walton always defends him? ....Dem's love Hagel the way I love Nader. "

 jon wrote on July 4, 2007 11:02 am:
" My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved! "

 David wrote on July 4, 2007 11:19 am:
" Chuck Hagel is a man with convictions and I can respect that, even though I disagree with his conservative views on some issues. Jon Bruning is a political opportunist who is only interested in his own ambition and ego. Bruning represents the worst in American politics. "

 Hagel wrote on July 4, 2007 2:40 pm:
" Just do us a favor and move back to Virginia....oh wait you never left. "

 JimDandy wrote on July 4, 2007 2:55 pm:
" Yeah, how dare he hold a town hall meeting in the state's capital city. I can't believe so few of you Hagel bashers had the kahones to show up in person. And those that did feel the need to conjure up some imaginary plot to keep people like them out. Because of course it couldn't be the simple fact that - even in Nebraska - you are now a shrivelling (and sniveling) minority. Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my. "

 Todd wrote on July 4, 2007 3:02 pm:
" "Hussein was never a threat to the U.S"??? Oh? The man was slaughtering his people by the thousands. Who knows what else he had or was doing, Hagel sure doesn't!! Hagel's "caring attitude" is who cares who he slaugtered or where as long as our hands are clean. Hagel bobbles to who ever he can get on his side, He's been howling about, GETTING THE TROOPS OUT NOW, now turns tail and says, "an abrupt withdrawl would be wrong." I wouldn't believe a word of what he says, he runs to one legislature and trys to get him on his side, then they don't jump on his bandwagon and he runs to someone else. Now its John Warner. Typical Nebraskans, they'd take anything hook, line and sinker! Unbelievable. He was there to captivate an audience FOR HIMSELF just like he does in running from buddy buddy senator to another. "Chris" is 100% right. When will people learn to deciefer between fancy captivating manuvering people like Hagel and listen to concrete serious non-self serving politicians like Dick Lugar. Hagel's sudden lingo saying "an abrupt withdrawal would be wrong" is right out of the mouth of Dick Lugar, who was in the news limelight here lately, and, whom Hagel has tried to hang onto Lugar's coattails for sometime, because Lugar is a very intelligent Rhodes Scholar person, of which the American people turned their backs on when he tried to run for President, but again the people voted for the fancy talking captivating audience and swallowed it hook, line and sinker for the president that has us in this mess. "Town Hall meeting" my eye!!!! How many times have we heard Hagel playing his cards, which now includes bashing Bruning. "

 Jennifer Jones wrote on July 4, 2007 4:53 pm:
" Chuck Hagel has shown his experience and expertise in foreign relations but is too one dimensional to be president. He really does have the vision and drive to be the front man for either party in rebuilding America's foreign policy and positive relations with the rest of the world. That is why I continue to say that he would make the best choice for the next Secretary of State. "

 DC Husker wrote on July 4, 2007 5:56 pm:
" How out of touch can you Nebraskans be? Hagel is extremely popular throughout the U.S. So was Bob Kerrey when he was a Senator. Wherever I go, people congratulate me on having two politicians from my home state who have conviction. "

 Harry A wrote on July 5, 2007 10:41 am:
" Nebraska in smart enough to not blindly follow Bush and the his no-mind followers. "

 airedale wrote on July 5, 2007 11:57 am:
" Hagel and Nelson have both acquired recognition and power in Washington that is out of proportion to Nebraska's importance on the National level. Simply put - if Nebraskans remove either of these men from their seats it should only be for new candidates who have a shot at picking up where these two men leave off. Bruning certainly doesn't bring the kind of experience and gravitas to step into Hagel's shoes and I think it unlikely that Kleeb does either. If Nebraska wants to return to irrelevancy at the National level then it should elect someone other than Hagel. If Nebraska wants to keep being a power player at some level in DC then Hagel should be reelected Senator. "

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