Chuck Hagel, the Republican Senator from Nebraska, has long been an outspoken critic of Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld on Iraq. As a former marine, Hagel knows the score when it comes to conflict and his close ties to military brass allow him to say things they can't.
Well, according to this story now up on Reuters, Hagel, during a tour of his bright red state of Nebraska, suggests that it is time for us to get out of Iraq.
(more)
Earlier the same day in Lincoln, an elderly woman asked about Iraq. "Why are we there in the first place?" she asked.
On Tuesday in the central Nebraska town of Lexington, after a meeting with law enforcement officials on drug problems, three sheriffs expressed serious doubts about what the United States was doing in Iraq and whether it could succeed.
Hagel, a Vietnam veteran, acknowledged the U.S. military presence was becoming harder and harder to justify. He believes Iraq faces a serious danger of civil war that would threaten Middle East stability, and said there is little Washington can do to avert this.
"We are seen as occupiers, we are targets. We have got to get out. I don't think we can sustain our current policy, nor do I think we should," he said at one stop.
Hagel goes on to insinuate that Bush and company are out of touch with what Americans are feeling about Iraq and soaring oil prices:
"I don't think there's panic, I don't think there's cynicism. I think there's this steady unsure sense about where is this all leading -- the constant daily reports on Iraq, our people being killed there, the money being spent there," he added.
Nebraska has been a solid Republican state in presidential elections for decades. Republicans dominate state politics and hold most elective offices.
But Hagel said even some who had previously backed Bush strongly on Iraq now felt deep unease.
"The feeling that I get back here, looking in the eyes of real people, where I knew where they were two years ago or a year ago -- they've changed," he said. "These aren't people who ebb and flow on issues. These are rock solid, conservative Republicans who love their country, support the troops and support the president."
Hagel said Bush faced a growing credibility gap. "The expectations that the president and his administration presented to the American people 2 1/2 years ago is not what the reality is today. That's presented the biggest credibility gap problem he's got," he said.
"I hope he has some sense that something's going on out in the country, that there's a lack of confidence that has developed in our position."
Between Feingold's pronouncement yesterday and the Hagel story today, it is clear the floodgates have been opened. Support for this war is slipping away faster than some ambitious politicians can change their views (hello, Biden, Bayh and Hillary).
I wish our side would align quickly behind a "get out" strategy, whether it's Feingold's or some variation thereof.
We need to lead on this (for once) instead of trailing behind in the wake of some Republican hopeful like Hagel.