Chuck Hagel Announces his Announcement

Yesterday, Chuck Hagel announced that he intends to announce his intentions about running for president in 2008.

That's so silly-- announcing that he will have an announcement on Monday.

These announcements to announce an upcoming announcement are so lame. They're pathetic cries for attention.

I guess I must have missed it, but I haven't been aware of any movement to encourage Hagel to run, no groudswell of support.

No "We need you, Chuck!"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran who has been openly critical of the administration's strategy in Iraq, will announce on Monday whether he plans to run for president in 2008.

Hagel, a two-term Nebraska senator, said he will hold a news conference in Omaha "regarding his future plans." Nine other Republicans are seeking the party's nomination to succeed President George W. Bush in 2008.

Hagel and aides did not discuss his intentions, but he accepted an offer to appear at a labor forum for presidential candidates from both parties next week in Washington.

Hagel has been a harsh critic of Bush's handling of the war and co-sponsored a non-binding resolution condemning Bush's proposal to send more troops to Iraq.

Hagel doesn't stand a chance of being the Republican nominee. No chance.

Who would support him? Democrats?

Hagel Democrats?

That's not going to happen.

The problem with Hagel is not that he's a critic of the war in Iraq.

It's certainly possible for a Republican to disagree with President Bush on policy without morphing into a wild-eyed Dem. He hasn't managed to do that.

For months, he's sucked up to the Dems, basking in the lib media's spotlight.

Need a Republican to bash Bush? Reporters know exactly where to find one to supply anti-Bush quotes and sound bites.

Hagel has been a maverick in the Senate, prompting speculation he might run for the White House as an independent.

I'm all for Hagel running as an independent. It would be amusing to see him try. Would his campaign last longer than Tom Vilsack's?

A Hagel independent run would probably help the Republicans in the long run.

Hagel wouldn't be taking away votes from the Republican nominee.

If Hagel runs, he'll be competing for the anti-war vote. As a result, I don't see him having any sort of significant impact on his own Party.

He may temporarily manage to get some support by appealing to Dem-leaning independents, but I suspect that would be extremely short-lived.

If Hagel has any sense, his announcement announcing that he will be making an announcement on Monday will result in a formal declaration that he will not seek the presidency.

The third party road would be a colossal waste of his time and money, and a guaranteed dead end. Hagel doesn't stand a chance.

"Maverick" Hagel poses no threat to the Republicans in Election 2008.