The Candidates
Yesterday, Chuck Hagel managed to leave much of the blogosphere and the punditocracy scratching our collective heads in bewilderment over his non-announcement announcement. Dana Milbank provides some more information that suggests that Hagel left a lot of angry reporters in Omaha.
The Republican senator from Nebraska, flirting with a 2008 presidential run, scheduled “an announcement on my political future” for yesterday morning in Omaha. Media types flew in from across the country. The state’s governor and attorney general, along with 15 television cameras, crowded the room. Cable networks carried the event live while pundits went wild: Would Hagel jump into the race? Run for reelection? Become an independent? Quit politics entirely?
“I’m here today to announce that my family and I will make a decision on my political future later this year,” Hagel declared in front of a presidential-blue curtain.
That was the announcement? The cable networks quickly broke away. The reporters in Omaha were feeling had.
“Senator, at least one Republican political analyst called your announcement today bizarre just now,” NBC’s Michelle Kosinski pointed out in the question-and-answer session that followed. “Tell us why you felt this was important to announce right now.”
Hagel cited the promise he had made to announce a decision after Jan. 1. “It is after the first of the year, before St. Patrick’s Day, and that’s the first responsibility I have,” the philosopher reasoned.
The reporters flew in over 1,000 miles for nothing. Something makes me think that Hagel’s days of being a media darling are just about over.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
It seems like a desperation play. Hagel still wants to be the center of attention, but he doesn’t want to be the center of scrutiny, so he’s hedging his bets on the ’surge’ failing later this year. However, after crying ‘wolf’ like this, I doubt the media will make him their darling anytime in the future.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I don’t care which politician it is eventually the media tires of being strung along.
If you look at the coverage of Hillary it isn’t as friendly as you’d expect for a Democrat. Why? Because she strings the media along and they hate it. The only reasons she still gets positive coverage are Bill and the fact that she is vying to be the first Madam President.
March 13th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
http://www.hagel08.com
Hm…
March 13th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
He’s running as an Independent.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
He sure won;t be in the GOP field while calling for W’s impeachemnt…
March 13th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Nusrat,
Yeah, that site just makes things even weirder.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Because he’s not up for a Senate election any time soon…
I have a strong, strong feeling he is going to run as either an Independent or gun for the Unity08 ticket.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:26 am
He should try for the Democratic nomination. He’d have a better chance there.