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Can Hagel's behavior be explained or justified or is he a man who folds when the pressure is on?
We'll see. I like Hagel but his past record raises questions for me including his positive statements in favor of the draft not so long ago and his pro-war stand on Kosovo.
Hagel seems to have switched back:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020702550.html
Here's the Post's explanation for the zigzag: "Five of the seven Senate signatories to yesterday's letter...had voted Monday to block the debate. By showing party solidarity, they had hoped to pressure Democrats into allowing the consideration of other nonbinding measures, namely two that are more supportive of the administration's policy. But Democratic leaders refused to relent, and the long-awaited war debate -- or at least the opening chapter -- ended almost as soon as it began.
"The Republican senators attempted in their letter to clear up the apparent contradiction. 'Monday's procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve to go forward,' the senators insisted. But they voiced the GOP leadership's view that other resolutions should receive an equal vetting."
You're right. I should have stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago....though I do trust Ron Paul, somewhat.
Very disappointing. But why was I expecting much to begin with?