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01-24-2007, 05:17 PM
Hagel to Senate: 'Don't hide' on Iraq
([Only registered and activated users can see links])Brian Beutler
Published: Wednesday January 24, 2007 Print This (javascript:document.getElementById() Email This ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
In a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today, members debated two resolutions attacking President Bush’s proposed 21,500-troop escalation. The debate brought major passions to the fore among certain key members, with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel admonishing his colleagues to take a public stand on the issue, or "go sell shoes" if they're seeking an easier job.
The first of the two resolutions, introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), contained provisions that would cap the number of troops and require a complete reauthorization in the event that President George W. Bush requested a surge.
That resolution went down 15-6 in favor of another, purely symbolic ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) resolution, advanced by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-CT), that stops at expressing disapproval of the president's plan. Biden's resolution passed 12-9.
Both Dodd and Biden intend to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.
During the hearing, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) implored all members of the Senate to be forthright about their stance on the Iraq war.
Responding to ranking member Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), who has criticized the surge but has come out against the Biden resolution, Hagel issued a strong admonition. He said, “This is not a defeatist resolution. This is not a cut and run resolution. We are not talking about cutting off funds, not supporting the troops. This is a very real, responsible, addressing of the most divisive issue in this country since Vietnam. Sure, it's tough. Absolutely. And, I think, all 100 senators ought to be on the line on this. What do you believe? What are you willing to support? What do you think? Why were you elected? If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes.”
“We better be damn sure what we know what we’re doing. All of us,” Hagel went on, “We better be as sure as we can be. I want… everyone of us…to look in that camera and you tell your people back home what you think. Don’t hide anymore. None of us.”
Hagel later voted against the Dodd resolution, and in favor of Biden's measure.
Video clips from CNN and MSNBC including Hagel’s remarks appear below.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
([Only registered and activated users can see links])Brian Beutler
Published: Wednesday January 24, 2007 Print This (javascript:document.getElementById() Email This ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
In a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today, members debated two resolutions attacking President Bush’s proposed 21,500-troop escalation. The debate brought major passions to the fore among certain key members, with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel admonishing his colleagues to take a public stand on the issue, or "go sell shoes" if they're seeking an easier job.
The first of the two resolutions, introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), contained provisions that would cap the number of troops and require a complete reauthorization in the event that President George W. Bush requested a surge.
That resolution went down 15-6 in favor of another, purely symbolic ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) resolution, advanced by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-CT), that stops at expressing disapproval of the president's plan. Biden's resolution passed 12-9.
Both Dodd and Biden intend to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.
During the hearing, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) implored all members of the Senate to be forthright about their stance on the Iraq war.
Responding to ranking member Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), who has criticized the surge but has come out against the Biden resolution, Hagel issued a strong admonition. He said, “This is not a defeatist resolution. This is not a cut and run resolution. We are not talking about cutting off funds, not supporting the troops. This is a very real, responsible, addressing of the most divisive issue in this country since Vietnam. Sure, it's tough. Absolutely. And, I think, all 100 senators ought to be on the line on this. What do you believe? What are you willing to support? What do you think? Why were you elected? If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes.”
“We better be damn sure what we know what we’re doing. All of us,” Hagel went on, “We better be as sure as we can be. I want… everyone of us…to look in that camera and you tell your people back home what you think. Don’t hide anymore. None of us.”
Hagel later voted against the Dodd resolution, and in favor of Biden's measure.
Video clips from CNN and MSNBC including Hagel’s remarks appear below.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]