Once upon a time, honest Republican politicians could be found from time to time. I personally voted for Sen. Packwood here in Oregon years ago and was happy with him. Sadly, he put the GOP grope on too many ladies and became Sen. Pokewood. How things have changed! Today’s Republicans lie when it doesn’t even matter. They have forgotten the meaning of truth. So when a Republican politician actually tells the truth about something, it’s cause for celebration.
Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), the chairman of the Atlantic Council, recently sat down for an interview with the Washington Diplomat. In the interview, the former senator touched on a variety of topics, including what he feels is the need for the United States to “unwind” from the war in Afghanistan. Towards the end of the interview, Hagel says that while he has “no plans to renounce his membership in the party,” he finds that the Republican Party of which he is a part is not “presenting any new alternatives, any new options, or any new thinking“:
“I don’t see them presenting any alternatives, any new options or any new thinking,” Hagel said. “If the Republicans get back in power, what are they going to do? There is no articulation. It’s just a ‘no no no, I’m against Obama because he’s a socialist and he’s taking America in the wrong direction.’ That’s certainly an opinion, but what about you, Mr. Republican? What would you do?”
… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Think Progress>
Thank you, and I agree. I see a bus in his future.
7 Responses to “In Praise of an Honest Republican”
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Oh brother, can you hear Rush, Beck and Ingram’s… They’ll make up out to worse than Jack the ripper ..
They will destroy any good this Man has ever done. It will be a lesson for every other Republican out there, don’t screw with your Master
Tim, you’re certainly right, sadly. 🙁
Allow me to reminisce for a moment … back in the days of my youth when “liberal Republican” wasn’t an oxymoron – but a true entity:
Govs. Nelson Rockefeller and Earl Warren (later Chief Justice)
Sens. Edward Brooke, John & Lincoln Chaffee, Mark Hatfield (previously a governor), Jacob Javits, Bob Packwood, Margaret Chase Smith, Lowell Weicker (previously a governor)
Rep. John Anderson
See, there are some advantages to be in your 60’s – because I can say, “I remember the days….”
Nameless, I share the same age range and remember them all. Back then the Republican Party was no further right than today’s Democratic party.
I have to believe that since the republicans have painted themselves completely into a tiny conservative corner that as the ethnic demographics of the country change they will either move back to the center or essentially go extinct.
Actually I do have some concerns with the republicans staying ultra-conservative, such a scenario in my opinion might lead this extreme bunch, centered largely in the south, to fully embrace the insanity of session.
Beach, now that all the wrong elements are in control, their POV has become so ideologically driven that they will fear losing purity more than losing elections.
How sad is that when “Honest Republican” looks like a hilarious oxymoron.
I’ll have to surf around to some of my “favorite” rightwing blogs and see what names Chuck Hagel is being called. I’ll probably see some colorful swear words I haven’t heard since boot camp.