Hagel thanking Nebraskans for 12 years in Senate

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10505375

Published Thursday December 4, 2008
Hagel thanking Nebraskans for 12 years in Senate
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel is thanking Nebraskans for giving him the chance to represent the state in Congress for the past 12 years.

The Republican, who leaves office in January, sent a farewell letter today.

Hagel says that in many ways, the world is more complicated and dangerous than it was 12 years ago, which presents implications for the state.

So he encouraged Nebraskans to consider the global implications of their actions.

Hagel says he appreciated the decency of the people he represented. He says most were courteous and understanding even when they disagreed with him.

Former Republican Gov. Mike Johanns beat Democrat Scott Kleeb in November and will replace Hagel.

He has had some biting criticism for the GOP, and was spot on in them. I hope he finds a post in Obama's administration

on serious matters of conscience (war, foreign policy, veterans' treatment, torture, global poverty) no matter the cost politically--and his staff was very responsive when I contacted him. I disagreed with a lot of his votes, but I believe he was acting in our state's and country's best interests (if in a misguided Republican way). Kind of surprised he didn't get a job with Obama--but, good luck, Chuck, wherever you end up!