The Occasional Observer

Despite reports to the contrary, the Washington Times is reporting that Chuck Hagel will enter the race to secure the GOP nomination for President.

I for one, am quite glad. This will certainly make for much more interesting debates in the primary season. While it's doubtful Chuck can win, it should give the front runners some good sparring sessions to prepare for the Wicked Witch of the East, the Breck girl or Junior Senator Superstar.

And, for the record, I think it will be helpful for the Republican party to determine if the Bush doctrine is where we want to go in the future. As for Hagel, I couldn't support him. Not because of Iraq: that situation should be all but decided by the time January 2009 rolls around. Rather, it's because of his open-borders stance on illegal immigration.

But I think his announcement is good news for every Republican who wants for a meaningful primary debate season, and not a group of candidates in a race to agree more strenuously on foreign policy.