Iraq critic Hagel eyes presidential run

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., a principle critic of the administration's Iraq policy, says he will make a decision soon on whether to run for president.

He refused to rule out doing so as an independent.

Hagel said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" Sunday if he decides to run, he'll take the first steps as a Republican, but, "The party that I first voted for on top of a tank in the Mekong Delta in 1968 is not the party I see today."

"If I would decide to run, I will run as a Republican," he told host Bob Schieffer. "But ... I think we are living through one of the great historical-political reorientations of our time ... Fiscal responsibility, engagement of others, pro trade, personal responsibility, less government -- that's not who we (Republicans) are today. Parties should be the framework of philosophies and beliefs. Now, if that goes so far away from what I believe, then I wouldn't sit here this morning and say well, there's no way I wouldn't join another effort or run as president of the United States as an independent."

Hagel scoffed at Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion that a Senate resolution against an Iraq buildup would send the wrong message to U.S. troops and the nation's enemies.

"I served in Vietnam in 1968," Hagel said. "Others did, too - (Sens.) Jim Webb, John McCain, John Kerry, other members in the House. In 1968 when I was there with my brother -- worst year -- deaths -- I would have welcomed the Congress of the United States to pay a little attention as to what was going on ... That is complete nonsense to say we're undercutting the support of the troops."