A Wall Street Journal report that Sen. Chuck Hagel will accompany Sen. Barack Obama on a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan kicked up a frenzy Friday on credible political blogs.

The Journal reported online that two sources confirmed the Nebraska Republican will travel with the Democratic presidential nominee to the war zones.

Later, The Hill, a Washington journal, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., will be the third senator on the trip.

The Hotline, a leading Washington blog, said the pairing of Obama and Hagel “is sure to fuel additional speculation that Hagel, an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, could make Obama’s veep shortlist.”

Hagel’s office declined Friday to discuss the reports.

No published speculation mentioned details of the trip, citing security concerns.

If Hagel were to travel with Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan, that act would appear to associate Hagel with the Democratic nominee, particularly with respect to policy in the region.

Hagel has chosen not to endorse Republican presidential nominee John McCain despite their long friendship and political association. In 2000, Hagel was national co-chairman of McCain’s presidential campaign.

McCain has been a strong supporter of the war in Iraq.

Although Hagel has signaled he may not formally endorse either candidate in the presidential contest, the pairing of Hagel with Obama “is likely to raise eyebrows,” the Wall Street Journal suggested.

In an interview Tuesday with MSNBC, senior Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod praised Hagel.

“Sen. Hagel, I think, has been very courageous in speaking out on this issue of Iraq and the misguided policies that we’ve had from the beginning.”

The Hill said both Hagel and Reed are potential running mates for Obama.

Either “would bolster the Democratic ticket’s foreign policy and military credentials,” the publication stated online.

Reed is a West Point graduate and former Army paratrooper.  Hagel is a Vietnam veteran.

Hagel is viewed as a potential secretary of defense in an Obama administration.

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