Hagel delays political decisions to later in the year, but will speak at Wed. presidential forum
 Senator Chuck Hagel, a maverick Republican and Vietnam veteran, announced in an appearance this morning at the University of Nebraska-Omaha that he would delay any major political decisions until later in the year. Some had speculated that Hagel might announce either his candidacy for president in 2008 or, alternatively, his retirement from the Senate.
"I am here today to announce that my family and I will make a decision
on my political future later this year," the Nebraska Senator explained.
He added, "In making this announcement, I believe there will still be political options open to me at a later date."
Hagel's statement came in spite of the fact that he will speak before a forum of presidential candidates hosted by the International Association of Fire Fighters on Wednesday. Hagel is the only of the ten speakers who does not have a declared candidacy or exploratory committee for his presidency.
Hagel's campaign answered a RAW STORY inquiry about his participation in the conference by pointing to a statement released to the Lincoln Journal-Star last week.
"Hagel had made plans to address the firefighters some time ago," his communications director told the Nebraska paper.
While the International Association of Fire Fighters acknowledged this explanation, they also brought it into question by explaining the nature of their invitation to Hagel.
"He wanted to be a part of an event we were doing about the presidency," Jeff Zack, a spokesman for IAFF, told RAW STORY. "When he was invited to be part of the presidential forum, it was absolutely clear to him what it was. It is an event that is set up to give presidential candidates an opportunity to stand before 1000 delegates, and tell those firefighters why that person should be president.
"And when Senator Hagel got the letter telling him exactly what the forum was, he accepted," Zack added.
In the appearance this morning, the Nebraska Republican did not put to rest existing speculation that he might seek the presidency as a third party candidate in 2008.
He remarked, "We are experiencing a political re-orientation, a redefining and moving toward a new political center of gravity. This movement is bigger than both parties."
But when asked by CNN at the press conference if he would not be able to fit into the Republican Party as a candidate because of his stated opposition to continuing the Iraq War, he denied that he was "an anti-war candidate."
However, Hagel did seem to head off the suggestions that he might retire from the Senate.
"I want to give these and other subjects my full attention over the next few months," he said, adding " I believe it is in the interests of my Nebraska constituents and this country that I continue to work full time on these challenges."
Senator Hagel's prepared remarks can be read at this link.
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