RECENT POSTS
- Under the Stars, Obama Toasts India’s Prime Minister
- White House State Dinner – Who Made the Exclusive Guest List?
- Admiral Mike Mullen To Geneva for START Talks
- VP Biden to Indian Prime Minister: “You’re the Hottest Ticket in Town”
- FLOTUS on the State Dinner: Like a Swan, "Calm and Serene Above Water, But We're Paddling Like Mad, Going Crazy Underneath"
- White House State Dinner: The Menu, Entertainment, and Decor
- Dan Pfeiffer, White House Blogger
- Guests Begin to Arrive for White House State Dinner Festivities
- President Obama on Afghanistan Strategy: “It Is My Intention to Finish the Job”
- The Obamas Kick off their First State Visit, Welcome India's Prime Minister to the White House
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Chuck Hagel on the Judd Gregg Withdrawal: 'It Was Sloppy. It Was Awkward'
February 13, 2009 6:11 PM
On this weeks' ABC News Shuffle podcast: former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., the new chairman of The Atlantic Council.
You can listen to it on iTunes or HERE.
Hagel admitted that he "was a little surprised when I first learned that Judd Gregg was going to accept an appointment to the Obama Cabinet." Hagel said he admires Gregg a great deal, but also thinks of him as holding "a clear set of political principals about the role of government and governance and I never saw any daylight there -- at least that I was aware of -- between Obama and Judd where in fact the two of them could be together within some kind of a framework in joining of even a general philosophical approach to how we should govern over the next four years."
So he was "not surprised when I heard yesterday that, based on all the reasons Judd presented, that he just thought he couldn't go forward and I respect that. It's too bad both for Judd and the president that it had to be done this way. It was sloppy, it was awkward, I don't think anyone was covered with any great deal of glory over how this was handled."
Hagel said he has spoken with both President Obama and Vice President Biden in the past few months, but he wouldn't be specific about whether he'd been offered a Cabinet position. (He also wouldn't tell me whom he voted for, though he brought up that his wife had endorsed Obama.)
"I've told President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden ... I told them I would help them in any way I could," Hagel said, "and we have discussed many things but to go beyond that would break some confidentiality and that's something I don't want to do."
Would he consider joining the Obama administration?
"I think any American who cares enough about his or her country -- if you believe you can make a contribution -- would always be in a position to entertain any requests from the president of the United States. I don't think that's unique to me. ... We'll deal with it as it comes," he said.
Hagel is succeeding Marine Gen. Jim Jones (Ret.) as chair of the Council, which works to promote "constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century." Jones, of course, is now President Obama's National Security Adviser.
Hagel says the U.S. has "to find some new frameworks of policy that will engage the world, put America back in a position where we are respected, where we are trusted, where we have developed, and people have confidence in our leadership and I think that's what Obama and his team are going to have to do."
Asked why the U.S. has to beg NATO countries to help send more troops to Afghanistan -- as recently happened at the Security Conference in Munich -- Hagel said, "I think some of the policies and the way we've handled these issues over the last few years has not enhanced brining a relationship together based on cooperation and common interest. For example, the former secretary of defense… Secretary Rumsfeld went to that conference a few years ago -- I was there -- and that's where he of course got into his famous 'old Europe' and 'new Europe' and really, whether was intentional or not, laid down the framework for dividing Europe, and it did not help us, it did not enhance us with our allies, and it's those kind of things that have occurred over the years also have led to some divides here in the Atlantic alliance. But I think we have some real opportunities to put all that back together."
We also talked about Defense Secretary Gates, the Georgetown Hoyas, and other matters.
ABC News' Huma Khan produced the podcast, with Lindsey Ellerson. My ABC News White House booth-mates Sunlen Miller and Karen Travers kicked in some help as well.
Again, you can listen to the ABC News Shuffle on iTunes or HERE.
-- jpt
February 13, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (105)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Sen. Hagel is NOT a true Republican. He is
a Republican by convenience. It won't be surprising if he ends up in the Obama cabinet. He is a democrat in Republican clothing. No wonder if he run for re-election the republicans won't vote for him anymore. You can not fool the people all the time.
Posted by: Sabagan | Feb 15, 2009 9:11:34 AM
Whether he asked for the job or not does not matter. The fact is he was given the job and then the Sainted One said we don;t trust so we are taking the census out of commerce. That is the fact.
***
I really admire Chuck Hagel and was hoping President Obama would put him in his Cabinet. As far a Gregg what a Spineless Wimp he asked for the Job and President Obama gave it to him and he let himself be bullied By the Republicans,
Posted by: Angie | Feb 13, 2009 11:50:44 PM
Posted by: kabookey | Feb 14, 2009 11:41:34 PM
Do the Bill Ayers wannabes posting on the 'net that the Republicans "voted against the middle class" have a copy of Porkulus? How much? What rates? Tax bracket adjustments? Are they better than the tax cuts that President Bush worked for and got?
Of course, details and facts never stand in the way of Leftist ideology.
And if they can't find any, they'll just make up some or run to a Liberal blog to get them and say, "See! Told ya so!"
And, even if they cut everyone's taxes, any real Republican would still not have voted for the "stimulus package" because of all the garbage the tax cuts were wrapped up in.
Posted by: RR GOP | Feb 14, 2009 10:43:58 PM
Funny..I dont remember Jake Tapper asking ANY hardball questions of anyone in the Bush administrations. Did he just come out of a hibernation?
Just another phony who needs to be at FOX.
Posted by: Doc | Feb 14, 2009 7:49:00 PM
Hagel hasn't been a Republican in years.
He should switch parties and be what
he aspires to be, a Liberal Democrat!
I don't know who is more irrelevant,
Chuck Hagel or David Gergen! LOL!
Posted by: reaganfan | Feb 14, 2009 7:38:43 PM
I think it's great when Obama says "It's my fault" re appointment failures. I wonder if he will be just as gracious when the bad guys hit us again? We didn't have to worry about that under Bush. We sure as heck do now!!
Posted by: Manitu | Feb 14, 2009 2:39:32 PM
Obama went to Craig because he thought he could get another Dem in Senate!
But see Craig would not fit in becasue he pays his taxes!!
Obama is trying a Chavez move by making the Census Political!!
Impeach Obama NOW!!!
Posted by: spock | Feb 14, 2009 1:56:23 PM
Ask yourself - what "laid down the framework for dividing Europe"
1) a speech
OR
2) a) real philosophical and cultural differences
b) undue cowering against internal and external jihadi threat due to demographics
c) greed and cowardice against the reviving plutocratic Russia
Good luck (Sen) Chuck on papering over the pressing needs of Europe instead of urging a renewed confrontational approach on those things that need to be confronted.
Posted by: robert b | Feb 14, 2009 1:46:37 PM
peach wrote:"Maybe Gregg felt uncomfortable being in a cabinet with so many tax cheats"!
Oh, I'm sure you are right on that. Gregg is much more comfortable with Jack
Abramoff and friends. That's the reason he withdrew and isn't running again for the senate. His relationship with Abramoff will be breaking news within next 2 weeks.
Posted by: Trent | Feb 14, 2009 1:38:54 PM
Tungsten, I hate to tell you but in the "long view", in 2016, Hillary will be over McCain's current age. You can thank your hero, Obama for that by placing her in an important but, in a position where he can control her political aspirations for years to come. After only 20 days of comrade Obama, it is easy to see the seeds of discontent growing against the socialists. Thank you Obama for taking Hillary out!
Posted by: Mihann | Feb 14, 2009 1:18:17 AM
Did you ever stop to think that she might run in 2016 after Obama has 2 terms? They said she had no foreign policy experience, now she is Secretary of State. Therefore in 2016 they can't bash her for not having the experience. Even at 80 Hillary would have more on the ball than McCain...lol
Posted by: Jwench | Feb 14, 2009 1:13:34 PM
Sorry Obama I guess Judd Gregg is just not that into you--or your radical ideas.
Neither are 57 million Americans---hopefully more in 2012.
Posted by: sammy | Feb 14, 2009 1:00:03 PM
I think Obama overestimated how much repubs hate Hillary. They actually dont.
Biden is a poor choice for VP. He seems like a talking head whom is somewhat aloof. He is also getting on in age.
In 2012 Obama will no doubt pick Hillary as his running mate I suspect.
Posted by: infoseeking | Feb 14, 2009 12:36:40 PM
Bob Unruh reports that a high-powered team of Los Angeles attorneys representing Obama in his effort to keep his birth certificate, college records and passport documents concealed from the public has suggested there should be "monetary sanctions" against a lawyer whose clients have brought a complaint alleging Obama doesn't qualify for the Oval Office under the Constitution's demand for a "natural born" citizen in that post.
"In order to avoid the needless expense of our bringing and litigating a Motion to Quash the subpoena, I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to agree voluntarily to cancel or withdraw the subpoena…"
Woocher warned, "Please be advised, in particular, that in the event we are forced to file a motion to quash and we prevail in that motion, we will seek the full measure of monetary sanctions provided for in the Code of Civil Procedures."
Posted by: bdaman | Feb 14, 2009 11:36:06 AM
"the U.S. has to beg NATO countries to help send more troops to Afghanistan..."
Unlike socialist countries who need to be begged, America is willing to stand up and fight for our liberty and the liberty of others.
Posted by: Sigmonde | Feb 14, 2009 10:17:25 AM
Hagel is nothing but a self-absorbed tool of the liberal traitors that are excreted by the Poison Ivy League. It's truly pathetic to see him grovel for some sort of relevance and acceptance from the D.C. Mob.
Posted by: JD | Feb 14, 2009 9:33:09 AM
Nobody cares what Hagel (R-ESS) has to say
Posted by: Flash Override | Feb 14, 2009 9:02:16 AM
The strange things about these Senators, like Chuck Hagel, who truly wants the cross Cabinet job, keeps campaigning and saying that he will accept because our countries is in need. But Senator, if you truly want to help our country, staying as Senator is also a call to service.
Posted by: young_voter | Feb 14, 2009 8:37:12 AM
How many of you know that approximatley 20 states have introduced legislation for sovereignty under the tenth amendment.Some of those states are Washington, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arizona, Missouri and Montana.
Yesterday, MS State Senator Authors Bill Protecting Gun Owners During Martial Law Mississippi lawmakers have passed a bill to protect the state’s residents during martial law. On the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi website, Phil Bryant announces the passage of SB 2036.
Do you wonder why all these states would want to do that, wonder why states are talking about martial law. It aint because The "O" and his gang are doing a good job.
Posted by: bdaman | Feb 14, 2009 7:48:01 AM
Jake any luck with those certificates yet. By the way his counsel is trying to block his records from Occidental College to be released. Jake where is the openness and transperency he promised. Don't you believe it's pretty simple to put an end to all of this and say here it is. I remember Bush's first go around the media focused for a month on his military record. Jake I know you see right thru this administration. Come on man what are you waiting for.
A high-powered team of Los Angeles attorneys representing President Obama in his effort to keep his birth certificate, college records and passport documents concealed from the public has suggested there should be "monetary sanctions" against a lawyer whose clients have brought a complaint alleging Obama doesn't qualify for the Oval Office under the Constitution's demand for a "natural born" citizen in that post.
Posted by: bdaman | Feb 14, 2009 7:37:27 AM
The "O" I like to call him that in refercence to th other Big "O". It feels really, really good getting to that point of euphoria only for it to be short lived. Then you have to do it all over again. Maybe thats why he flew all over the country and climaxed last night with their victory on the stimulate me package. Monday can't get here quick enough for me.
Posted by: Bdaman | Feb 14, 2009 7:35:27 AM
Post a comment


