The buzz this week that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is planning to join Sen. Barack Obama on an up-coming visit to Iraq is correct, two sources with knowledge of the trip confirmed Friday...
While it is standard practice for such trips — known as CODELS, or congressional delegations — to be bipartisan, in this highly charged election year it is likely to raise eyebrows that the retiring Nebraskan senator — a prominent Iraq War critic — is the Republican expected to join the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee on what is sure to be a closely watched visit to the region...
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Sen. Hagel has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race, and he has offered kind words for both Obama and Republican rival Sen. John McCain, although the two Republicans differ greatly on the war.
More evidence that Obama and his team are master political operatives. The optics of this are just brilliant. A bi-partisan trip with a highly respected Senator who also happens to be a decorated Vietnam vet and out-spoken opponent of the Iraq War.
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