Crossposted from The People's View.
Chuck Hagel, one of the few left of a band of truly country-first Republicans, plans to endorse Joe Sestak for Senate in Pennsylvania. Before retiring at the end of the last Congress, Hagel had chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Republicans were in power. Conservative as he was, he was an intellectual interested in policy rather than simple political gain.
Country-first is what it came down for Hagel when he told the AP of his plans to endorse Sestak:
Hagel told The Associated Press on Monday that Sestak has demonstrated during his two terms in Congress that he puts the interests of the nation and his constituents ahead of his party.
"I think he's exactly what our country needs more of. I think he's what the Senate needs more of — courageous, independent thinking," Hagel said. "That's what the job is about. You are supposed to use your judgment."
Politico reports that the feelings are mutual between the two highly-respected men from different political parties.
In a forum earlier this month, Sestak called Hagel the “No. 1 guy I’ve met” in the Senate.
“I talk to him probably every couple weeks,” Sestak said on Aug. 3. “I think he is the guy who I most admired in the Senate.”
Hagel and Sestak enjoy military backgrounds. Sestak is the highest ranking military officer serving in Congress - he retired in 2006 as a Navy Vice Admiral, when he ran for Congress. Hagel served in Vietnam.
Hagel also understands the complicated foreign policy world and especially issues of nuclear proliferation. Hagel worked with a particularly young new Senator from Illinois to pass sweeping legislation to secure nuclear material and keep them away from the hands of terrorists. That young new Senator? Barack Obama. As President, Obama has lead to fulfill that mission, including by example to lay out tough, smart new guidelines for US nukes. Chuck Hagel currently serves as a Co-Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.
As far as national security and fighting terrorism is concerned, one can hardly find a better endorsement than Chuck Hagel, and the Sestak campaign is announcing that Hagel will be joining Sestak on the campaign trail tomorrow for two events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. If you are in Pennsylvania close to these and can go, check them out!
PITTSBURGH EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Point of View Statue, across from 1411 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15211
PHILADELPHIA EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Washington Square, 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Right now, according to the TPM polling average, ultra right wing Republican candidate Pat Toomey has a lead in the polls 45.4 to 41.6 per cent. Toomey is also outpacing Sestak 3:2 in fund-raising. Sestak has a lot of experience in coming from behind wins - most notably in beating Sen. Specter against all establishment odds standing against him. But of course, we can always help him get there. Go to JoeSestak.com and:
Do it now and let's get a great victory for Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania and the United States in November!
Self-plug: You can read this and other thoughts of mine on my blog, The People's View. You can also follow me on Twitter @thepeoplesview.