HAGEL-BLOOMBERG ’08? A source in a position to know tells me that Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) is set to meet this week with representatives from Unity ’08, the center-right third party group that’s been linked to a possible presidential bid by liberal Republican New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and which is seeking to build a bi-partisan ’08 ticket. Hagel has been a fierce critic of the Bush administration’s foreign policy and recently came under attack by Vice President Dick Cheney for his hard-hitting views. Last week, Hagel told The Washington Post he is considering a bid for the presidency. And also:
Hagel joked during the interview about teaming up with New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a moderate Republican, and also floated the possibility of joining a bipartisan unity ticket with a Democrat — with his name first, of course.
Sounds like he’s doing a bit more than joking about that possibility.
–Garance Franke-Ruta
