Nebraska Democratic Party: Achelpohl Statement on Hagel Non-Announcement

Achelpohl Statement on Hagel Non-Announcement

Mar 12, 11:43 AM CST

Nebraska Democratic Party State Chair Steve Achelpohl released the following statement this morning following Senator Chuck Hagel’s announcement:

“I think it is extremely disappointing that Senator Hagel would bring the entire state of Nebraska to a screeching halt by holding an elaborate ceremony to announce absolutely nothing.”

“Nebraskans are tired of waiting for Chuck Hagel to make up his mind. He has been toying with the idea of running for President for several years. Nebraska deserves no less than two full-time representatives in the U.S. Senate. It is time for Chuck Hagel to come to a conclusion – does he want to represent the people of Nebraska – or run for President?”

“Senator Hagel has lost favor with many Nebraskans. He has become a caricature of himself with his weekend show tough talk and Senate floor soft walk.”

“This country needs strong and decisive representation in the White House and this state needs strong and decisive representation in the U.S. Senate. We believe that Chuck Hagel does not pass the test for either.”

“His wishy-washy decision making process is a disservice to all citizens of Nebraska.”

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Will Sen. Hagel ever give us a definite decision about what his motives are?! I’m sure that most Nebraskans, including myself, are frustrated with his indecisiveness about his intentions for national public office. Sen. Hagel called for a press conference to give a speech about how he feels that the United States is at a cross roads and how he hopes to fix the problem. Well maybe he should clarify some issues first that I am confused about.
He says he is not an anti-war senator but his outspokenness on Iraq is more self evident than his political options. I am skeptical towards Sen. Hagel when he proclaims that his cynicism to the Bush Administration handling on the Iraq war that I don’t know who to look for answers when it comes to tough decisions. If he would simply announce his objectives about critical national issues then I would support him.
He believes that the current GOP ideology is not on the correct path, any self respecting individual knows that the Republican agenda is trying to perpetuate their own self interest instead of keeping the interests of the American people at heart. He claims that the Republicans have lost their identity in the face of current political partisanship and that the partisanship will ruin the greatness of America.
Sen. Hagel based his inconclusive logic on how his personal perception on the current state and national political climate. I’m glad to see that he has some sort of intuitive acuity but in a time for leadership, he needs to give his constituents an unambiguous answer to what he thinks he needs to do! Not just make a statement that leaves room for rampant speculation. However we will see what he truly has to say in the future months ahead (or at least I hope so).
— Luke Peterson Mar 12, 02:01 PM CST #
Has the Honerable Sen. Hagel become a one trick pony? My impression is that he has. While ambitious for something, and gaining a great deal of national spotlight for it, his anti Iraq position is his one and only trick. Now we witness the information-light announcement and our fears are confirmed. Sen. Hagel is the creme puff with no filling.
— Scott Brauer Mar 12, 10:47 PM CST #
This is a very important topic and we have two posts 13 hours after the “news” or whatever you call it, broke.
May I suggest that the staff police (hate to say that) the site after the fact so we can get instant feedback? As I type the recent posts of 5 stories amount to 4 comments and at least one of those is from staff.
I can live with the occasional off the wall neo con blogger jumping in, but who do we think wins when we force ourselves to stop talking?
I am most frequently not an active participant in this site but I regularly check it. I am disturbed with the lack of participation. In reality the post that led to this censorship kept me coming back to the site. If we can’t accept intense, harsh and somtimes below the belt debate, then what is the point? I agree that we need to be a little more together than we have been in the past and we absolutely need to stop degrading our own candidates because they don’t adheare to every aspect of the democratic agenda, but once you stop debating…......
So I ask the NDP to revive their/our site by opening it back up. if we can’t communicate, we can’t coordinate. If we can’ coordinate, we can’t win!
— Kevin Rangle Mar 12, 11:34 PM CST #
“Wishy-washy” is right. I have, at times, admired Mr. Hagel’s willingness to consider both sides of issues. But his announcement that there will be a future announcement makes me wonder if he has a serious problem when it comes to sticking with a decision. It’s a simple question, do you think you should be president or not? Or, do you think there’s any other Republican with a better chance of beating Obama?

Going off-topic, (since you naughty kids lost your open-thread privileges,) it will be Obama, won’t it? Hillary is too abrasive, I think. Maybe it’s too early… has anyone else picked a frontrunner?
— Tony Maloley Jr Mar 13, 12:42 AM CST #
If I were a cynical man(and I am), I’d say Hagel wants us all to cut him some slack while he waits to see if the Iraq escalation turns people toward or against the war. This is his defining issue-it could make or break his candidacy. McCain appears doomed now due to his push for escalation. If things take a turn for the better in Iraq(not likely, I know) Hagel will have some ‘splaining to do. I believe the war will continue to lose popularity, and Hagel will run in the end.
— Don Kuhns Mar 13, 12:55 AM CST #
Chuck Hagel: Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make.

Dana Bash, CNN: So you are running for President?

Chuck Hagel: No, I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance!

So easy, a caveman could do it.
— Dave Sund Mar 13, 01:13 PM CST #
Mr. Achelpohl
Chill out. If the man hasn’t made a decision yet, so what. If your democrat buds were in the same position, you’d give them a break. All Nebraskans don’t view this as an embarassment as you have stated. Your political posturing is predictable and boring.
— Dr. Tim Garner Mar 13, 07:53 PM CST #