Hagel blew it

It could have been Chuck Hagel’s day. He could have been the media darling. His candidacy as the anti-war Republican during the war debate could have driven the debate.

Instead he said:

"America is facing its most divisive and difficult issue since Vietnam—the war in Iraq, an issue that I have been deeply involved in. I want to keep my focus on helping find a responsible way out of this tragedy, and not divert my energy, efforts and judgment with competing political considerations," he said.

But for the anti-war left (and middle) this is no longer a policy debate, despite David Obey’s attempts to explain it otherwise. It is now a question of political will for Hagel’s constituency. Chuck Hagel could have turned anti-war Republicans and independents into a force.

Now the press hates him because he led them on. And he still hasn’t resolved the problem in his state (he will get a strong challenge in the primary) And he is not in charge of the debate.

What was that about?