Guide Note

Republican Senator Chuck Hagel has stated that he would consider joining Barack Obama in a cross-party ticket in the November presidential election. Asked by the Associated Press if you would consider running as Obama's pick for Vice President, the Nebraska Senator offered a qualified "Yes." The Vice Presidency would not be Hagel's first position in the executive branch—he served in the Reagan administration from 1981 to '82 as Deputy Administrator of Veteran Affairs.

Fast Facts

1. Interviewed by Associated Press, June 20, 2008
2. Elected Senator 1997
3. Decorated Vietnam veteran
4. Outspoken critic of Iraq invasion

Here is what Hagel had to say on the possibility of being offered the VP slot by Obama:

• "If it would occur, I would have to think about it. I think anybody, anybody would have to consider it. Doesn't mean you'd do it, doesn't mean you'd accept it, could be too many gaps there, but you'd have to consider it, it's the only thing you could do. Why wouldn't you?"