Republican Leader Defends Hagel By Denouncing GOP

The following Letter to the Editor appeared in the Omaha World-Herald earlier this week:

U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel is honest enough to publicly state what he believes, and he is one of very few Republicans who will do so....

While I do not always agreee with Sen. Hagel, I will support him because I am comforted by his virtue, I believe in his character and I trust in his leadership.

So, thank you, Sen. Hagel, for your fortitude and willingness to speak out. I wish there were more Republicans in Congress with your courage.

Pat Dorwart, Sidney, Neb.
Republican National Committeewoman, 1992-2004

Take Dorwart's comments on Chuck Hagel for what you will, but it's hard to deny that so established a leader within the Nebraska Republican Party expressing such open disdain and disappointment in her own party's leadership should send a powerful message to Nebraska voters.

In particular, this should force people to take a good hard look at our Republican Congressmen - Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry, and Adrian Smith. Each of them fails Dorwart's tests of courage, character, and leadership - proving time and again that they truly are the Timid Trio.