Chuck Hagel Senator from Nebraska and Potential Independent Candidate

Charles Hagel, often known simply as "Chuck", is the senior United States senator from the state of Nebraska. Chuck Hagel is an influential politician, though he is often portrayed as a "radical" within his political party, the Republican Party. Though he is officially a member of the Republican Party, his ideas and platform are often more liberal than most conservatives. Political scientists often refer to politicians that sport such a characteristic as being a "R.I.N.O.," that is, a Republican In Name Only, with its counterpart being a "D.I.N.O." Chuck Hagel is well-known for his deep criticism of the Iraq War and how the current Bush administration has handled the post-war proceedings. It has been widely speculated that Hagel would be a viable candidate on the Republican ticket or he possibly could run as an Independent. Supporters of Hagel believe that his moderate views and bold anti-Iraq sentiment would entice voters from both parties, making him a lucrative option. However, Hagel has not officially stated that he would campaign for the presidency, though he has left the possibly open for a late-start bid.

Chuck Hagel is a native Nebraskan, as he was born in the small town of North Platte in 1946. He is a graduate of what is now Scotus Central Catholic High School, which is located in the city of Columbus, Nebraska. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled at the Brown Institute for Radio and Television in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, aspiring to become a journalist. Later he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he graduated from in 1971. At this time, the United States was still heavily involved in the Vietnam War conflict and the draft was still in place. As with most other young men his age, Chuck was drafted to serve in the United States Army, eventually assuming the rank of Sergeant before he was decommissioned. While engaged in combat in Vietnam, Hagel earned the coveted Purple Heart, along with the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Once his service in Vietnam was concluded and he had successfully graduated from college, Hagel started his political career. From 1971 to 1977, Hagel was a staff member for Nebraska Congressman John Y. McCollister, gaining political insight as well as connections for his future political bids. Following his stint as a staff member for Rep. McCollister, Hagel worked as a lobbyist in Washington for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, advocating for beneficial legislation for the company. However, Hagel soon returned to the direct political arena as he worked on the 1980 presidential campaign for Ronald Reagan. In return for his support during the campaign, Reagan appointed Hagel as the deputy administrator of the Veterans Administration, a large government organization. Being a Vietnam veteran himself, Hagel attempted to advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans during his brief stint with the organization, however he resigned from his post over a disagreement with the chief administrator Robert P. Nimmo. It was on Nimmo's agenda to cut the funding and reduce the benefits for veterans, and Hagel in good conscience could no longer remain beneath him.

Discouraged by the political chaos in Washington, Hagel soon entered the business arena. Embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, Hagel co-founded a mobile phone manufacturing company known as Vanguard Cellular. The company was an immediate success and Hagel and his partner reaped numerous financial rewards, as both inevitably became multi-millionaires. His involvement with the company left Hagel in a financial situation in which he could certainly entertain the idea of re-entering the political arena. Throughout this time period, he served on numerous boards including being the chairman of the United Service Organizations and serving on the board of governors for the American Red Cross, among other positions.

In 1992, Hagel was offered the position as president of a financial firm known as the McCarthy Group, which was located in Omaha, Nebraska. Thus, after living in Virginia for over twenty years, Hagel moved back to Nebraska. Later, in 1996, Hagel campaigned for his first public office on the Republican ticket, vying for the opportunity to be the United States Senator representing Nebraska. Hagel was recognized as the underdog in the election, campaigning against a widely respected Nebraska politican and governor Ben Nelson (who now holds the other Senate position for Nebraska). Hagel was the election with 56% of the vote and later won reelection in 2002 with an astounding 83% of the vote.

While in Washington as a Senator, Hagel has been involved with several committees including: Senate Oversight Task Force, Senate Global Climate Change Observer Group, the Congressional-Executive Committee on China, NATO Observer Group, as well as the official senate committees of Foreign Relations, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Banking.

Unlike most other spotlight politicians, Hagel has managed to keep his personal life relatively private from the media. Chuck Hagel is married to Lilibet Hagel (maiden name Ziller) and they have two children: a son named Ziller and a daughter named Allyn. Though Hagel represents the state of Nebraska in the senate and he does have a residence there, he currently lives in Great Falls, Virginia, in order to be closer to Washington D.C. Most politicians tend to acquire a second residence in or near the District of Columbia, so that they are able to have better access to their jobs. However, a downside to this practice, is that constituents often feel as if their representatives have lost touch with their home state, as they no longer permanently reside there.