I didn't see the interview, but I have a lot of respect for Hagel and think an Obama-Hagel alliance of some sort would be a great development.

No, I don't believe it should be Obama/Hagel. But Hagel's endorsement would help prove Obama's claim to have crossover appeal and skill.

I wanna give a shoutout for Jim Webb of Virginia. This guys a tough veteran, liberla on economic issues, good appeal to white men. He has some problems, sure (didn't he write a book about having sex with whores in Nam?), but I like his "credentials" and Southern appeal.

I've also harbored a secret Obama/Hagel fantasy. However, like most fantasies, it likely not grounded in reality. Nevertheless, Hagel's outspoken opposition to many Bush policies have warmed my heart. There is much I do not know about Hagel, but such a ticket choice would certainly add gravitas and send a clear message of "doing things differently". Any thoughts as to why this would be a bad idea?

So Chuck Hagel is signing up for the great liberal progressive revolution as well?
-rated 36% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education.
- Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance.
Rated 11% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance.
-Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record.
-Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence.
-Rated 0% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes.
-Rated 100% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record.
-Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections.
-Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. -Rated 12% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record.
-Rated 8% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record.
-Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation.
-Rated 22% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. -Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation.

I think that Sebelius would bring a lot to the table. Intrade.com has the following as the frontrunners in Dem VP speculation:

Richardson - 12.0
Webb - 11.0
Clinton - 9.0
Obama - 8.0
Gore - 7.7
Warner - 5.0
Clark - 4.5

http://www.intrade.com/jsp/intrade/contractSearch/

So Obama's public flirtation with that sort of hard right guy dosen't bother any of you progressives at all? Either Hagels's got it or wrong or you do, and it's probably you.

Yes, Hagel is a serious conservative about many things. But for years now, he has shamed the cowardly Dems with his willingness to call out the war and the administration, way before it was "Popular" and at much cost to his own political career.

He would make a tremendous Secretary of Defense, and is someone a deeply hope we will see on an Obama cabinet. He is precisely what a coalition of non-lobbyist ideals is all about.

Not as VP, But Hagel is a stud.

My problem with Edwards is that he's got a thin resume (no foreign policy, blah, blah, blah), and he's "young", and while neither of those things is bad, in itself, for Obama, it's a bad fit.

Yeah I actually agree with you on thinking about it further. I started picturing the two of them together and you're right - too much alike.

duel!")

I'm still a big Sebelius fan. She's a white midwestern catholic Red-State governor with high approval ratings. What's not to like?

I like the idea of a woman.

he was one of the first among Congress (ahead of many Democrats and nearly all Republicans) to start criticizing Bush's foreign policy and tactics in the war on terror.

I admire his courage. It took a lot of courage to stand up against Bush. He took a beating in Nebraska.

I like Sibelius, except I think Obama really needs someone with more foreign policy depth.

Whomever he picks can't be mired in the establishment mindset of the past...he needs a wizened, experienced warrior/diplomat who is willing to think outside the conventional foreign policy box and support Obama's proposed overhaul of American global leadership strategy (see http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_obama_doctrine)

Clark would be great, as he would neutralize McCain's strengths and adds gravitas for the Reagan Dem types. He's always been so close to the Clintons though. I thought he would have run again, but maybe he figured it was Hillary's race, and he wouldn't think of budging in ...

Then again, Clark might do it, if asked. He comes across as being first, and foremost, a patriot.

Richardson would be an obvious choice, but the grapevine has it he did not pass the Clintons' muster...

Nancy Pelosi or Barbara Boxer. They would need to have foreign policy experience, preferably. Hillary would be good in the election because she can be an attack dog, if truly needed, but would be a hindrance to campaign reform and changing the system in the end. She would be a distraction with her baggage... of course, Obama would need to constantly par with Bill's transgressions with these Dubai folks and others.

Hagel was also on the Diane Rhem Show (NPR).

His statements about needing a historic change from the current partisan politics and his praise for Obama led me to believe he might be in favor of endorsing Obama.

But it would probably be after the Democratic convention, at the very earliest.

Vile cliches:
1) "the lessons of Vietnam"
2) "the Iraq War is the greatest foreign policy blunder of (insert hyperbole)"
3) "war hero"

No, the MIC is corrupt, evil, and despotic; Vietnam and Iraq weren't blunders, they were part of the plan. Don't be in awe of war medals- despise them, and demand peace.

Yeah. That'd be just...uh...great.