Hagel hints at Hagel/Bloomberg presidential ticket
 When asked about the possibility of a 2008 presidential run as an independent, Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) this morning told CBS Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer that he is "not happy with the Republican party today."
"It's been hijacked by a group of single-minded, almost isolationists, power projectors," he said, indicating that he would make a decision about whether to run for president by late summer.
Independent candidates are "good for the system," continued Hagel. "I think we're living today at the most unpredictable political time in modern history."
America, he went on, is looking for "honest, competent, accountable leadership."
"I think a credible third ticket, third party, would be good for the system," said Hagel. "It would force both parties, that have been hijacked by the extremes of their two parties, and I think we would want something like. I would hope this country has some options like that. I think it shakes the system up, the system needs to be shaken up. This country's in trouble."
The senator went on to heap praise on New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is also said to be considering a possible presidential run.
When asked directly about a potential Hagel/Bloomberg ticket for 2008, Hagel responded, "It's a great country to think about a New York boy, and a Nebraska boy to be teamed up leading this nation."
The following video is from CBS's Face the Nation.
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