Redstate

Or how a dimbulb became a fearless maverick

By streiff Posted in Archived — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

My colleague Pejman Yousefzahdeh poses the question of who will be the maverick Republican candidate in 2008, the New McCain.

The press needs a New McCain because McCain v1.0, the maverick who was hurting the Republican frontrunner, has become McCain v2.0, the Republican (sort of) who could be president. Maverick Republicans aren’t allowed to win elections only hurt Republicans in the primaries.

Pejman nominates Sam Brownback. I find that unconvincing. Chuck Hagel is clearly the New McCain.

But don’t believe me, believe the Washington Post.

Read on.

Not long ago, Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and John McCain of Arizona were the Stardust Twins of the GOP, both decorated Vietnam War veterans and fearless conservative mavericks who occupied much the same political ground.

Hagel was at McCain's side when the Arizonan waged a bitter presidential primary battle against George W. Bush in 2000, and he introduced McCain to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. By then, of course, McCain's "Straight Talk Express" campaign had been derailed by Bush, while Hagel's popularity among party regulars surged to the point that he was mentioned as a possible running mate for Bush.

But six years later, that picture has been turned upside down: McCain has morphed from party outsider to Bush administration booster and a leading contender for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination. Hagel, meanwhile, has tumbled from grace within the party after repeatedly challenging the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill and leveling bruising critiques of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and domestic policy.

Hagel has it all. War veteran. Against the war in Iraq. Critic of Bush on nearly any topic. Google “chuck hagel moderate” and you get over 224,000 hits. And now recognized by the WaPo as a “fearless maverick.”

Chuck Hagel is the New McCain.