Originally Posted by Botnst

Everybody put on your foil hats, I'm going to channel Hagel.

He's trying to set himself up as the Not-Bush Republican candidate that Democrats wont immediately hate. McCain has already ruined his own electibility within his own party and Hagel thinks he can capture that small group of independent votes and disaffected Republicans. He hopes to god that Hillary runs so that the majority of folks who would vote democratic as a way to express displeasure towards Bush may also choose him rather than staying home.

Hagel's danger lies in alienating the ardent Republicans who view party disloyalty as a form of treason. That was also McCain's misstep. He's taking a huge risk.

(Remove foil)

B