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Sen. Chuck Hagel will consider presidential race in 2008 (Via PoliticalWire)

This would be interesting if it happens as well as if Hegel makes it out of the GOP primary. I recently read the dead-tree version of his Foreign Affairs article on A Republican Foreign Policy and thoroughly appreciated it. There wasn't a great deal that was partisan in there and if one only knew they were reading the scribblings of a former or current Nebraska Senator, one might be excused for thinking it was penned by Bob Kerrey. Furthermore, Hagel has my unwavering respect for working in a reference to the Michael Porter business-school classic: "The Competitive Advantage of Nations." On that note, he goes over the connection between trade and foreign policy that I've been waiting for someone to elaborate on a bit more. Hagel does not disappoint.

What makes the hill a steep climb for Hagel is that he's not exactly known as a parrot for the current administration. He's a bit more of a realist in terms of foreign policy and we'll have to wait to see whether that's still in fashion in 2008 if he hopes to be electorally viable. Hell, the fact that I like the guy no doubt puts him in the ranks of "unacceptable" to Hagel's fellow GOP (outside of Nebraska, at least).

Caught the latest episode of "This Week" with Hagel and Biden discussing Iraq. Hagel may have a bit of a Lieberman problem in that he's not exactly a pit bull of a debater. I mean, he makes good points that can appeal to both sides, but who the heck would want that? Still, it'd be an interesting debate to be had within the GOP if he runs and a Hegel-Kerry matchup could be something of a wonk's dream campaign season.

What Bill Owens, Jeb Bush, and a host of others (Arnie?) have to say about it, though ... remains to be seen.