Hagel Disconnected from MoveOn

Earlier, Chuck Hagel declared that we're losing in Iraq.

Now, Hagel has had a change of heart. He's decided he doesn't want to be used by the loons at MoveOn PAC to criticize the Bush administration and the military.

The television ad highlights comments by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel who has been sharply critical of the Bush Administration's handling of the Iraq war: "The White House is completely disconnected from reality...its like they're just making it up as they go along." Those were the words that launched MoveOn's campaign.

Transcript of the ad:
MoveOn PAC

TV :30

"Hagel"

MOP-05-601

VIDEO

dissolve across a series of images of war in Iraq.

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): The war in Iraq. Day 825. 1,725 Americans dead. It's a quagmire.

VIDEO

Slow dissolve from war images to a photo of President Bush. The text of Bush's quote begins to appear as the Bush photo comes into full view: "I believe we're making really good progress in Iraq" -- George Bush, April 28, 2005. The image is now rose- tinted as we start to move in tight on Bush's thumb.

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): But George Bush says he's pleased with the progress.

VIDEO

We are now on a close-up of Bush's thumb.

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): Pleased? Now even a REPUBLICAN Senator, Chuck Hagel, is saying:

VIDEO

Split screen with rose-tinted photo of white house on left and images of war in Iraq on right. The text of Hagel's quote is supered across both images: "The white house is completely disconnected from reality" -- Republican Sen. chuck hagel.

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): The White House is completely disconnected from reality.

VIDEO

Split screen imagery remains as the text of Hagel's quote continues: "It's like they're just making it up as they go along."

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): It's like they're just making it up as they go along.

VIDEO

Cut to image of a soldier's helmet filled with unopened letters from back home in the USA. Super text: It's time to come home.

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): Iraq. We got in the wrong way. Let's get out the right way.

VIDEO

At screen bottom, super "Paid for by MoveOn PAC, www.moveonpac.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. MoveOn PAC is responsible for the content of this advertisement".

AUDIO

ANNOUNCER (VO): MoveOn PAC is responsible for the content of this advertisement.

Hagel asked that MoveOn pull the ad. On second thought, he didn't want to be associated with the far left loons. His press release:

June 28th, 2005 - Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) issued the following statement today in response to an advertisement run by MoveOn PAC which uses statements Hagel made regarding the war in Iraq and then calls for the U.S. to withdraw from Iraq:

“This ad is dishonest. 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. I have said I believe we can succeed in Iraq. MoveOn neglects to mention that in their ad.

I have differences with the Administration over the execution of our war policy. As a United States Senator, I have a responsibility to ask tough questions, put forth alternatives and suggestions and do all I can to ensure that our policy is worthy of the sacrifices being made by our service men and women. I will not ignore this obligation.

War is deadly serious and the debate over our policy should match the seriousness of the situation. Americans are entitled to an honest public debate about our policy in Iraq. Cheap, misleading 30-second partisan political attack ads debase our debate. War is not a partisan issue. The ad needs to be pulled down....now!”

Poor Chuck! MoveOn won't cooperate.

Executive Director of MoveOn PAC, Eli Pariser, responded:

"We agree with Sen. Hagel when he observes that the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq is 'completely disconnected from reality. He is a hero for speaking up when few others in either party have. Unfortunately, he is mistaken when he says our TV ad calls for 'immediate withdrawal.' We have never held this position. What we want is a date to begin a responsible, phased exit of our troops from Iraq."

Watch the ad.



Another ad also highlights Hagel's criticism of the Bush administration.

“Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality. It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq.”
– Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, Nebraska

MoveOn really loves Hagel; but Hagel is pretending the feeling is not mutual. I don't buy his act.

Hagel's press release, distancing himself from MoveOn, is a lame CYA move. I don't see why he'd care about the ads when he's already gone on the record again and again bashing Bush. It's silly for him to deny his own words.

Did he think that no one would notice?