Chuck Hagel

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union): Politicker photo 

For the good of the country, a Republican with foreign policy smarts and gravitas would be a wise running mate choice for Sen. Barack Obama, in the view of state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union).

In his NJ Voices blog over the weekend, Lesniak said he likes Indiana senior Sen. Richard Lugar, and today he told PolitickerNJ.com that Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) would also be good.

"It would show that Obama wants to bring this country together," said Lesniak. "I’m most impressed with Lugar’s ability to articulate a tough and reasoned approach to Iran.

Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman will be among a small group of Democrats and Republicans who will attend a January 7 meeting in Oklahoma with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that could result in a third party presidential candidate. 

According to a Washington Post report, the bi-partisan group will be “prepared to back Bloomberg or someone else” if the major party candidates “do not pledge to go beyond tokenism in building an administration that seeks national consensus.” 

Whitman's involvement in this effort could impact the campaign of her daughter, Kate Whitman, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Congress in the 7th district.

Chuck Hagel picked up his first New Jersey endorsement if he decides to seek the 2008 GOP presidential nomination: Dr. Akram Yosri Abdelrahman, a New York University professor and Bergen County businessman who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Congress in 2002. He finished fourth in a field of five candidates, winning 773 votes (2%) after spending $159,930 on his campaign to succeed Marge Roukema.

The winner of that race, Scott Garrett, is hosting a visit by Sam Brownback in Bergen County next week. Assemblyman David Russo, who finished second, is said to be leaning toward John McCain, while State Senator Gerald Cardinale, the third place finisher in that primary, is expected to back Rudy Giuliani. Brian Fox, whose $8,812 got him within 108 votes of Yosri, has not yet endorsed a candidate.

"I strongly believe that Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska would make a great President," said Yosri. "His background and record on a number of key issues is unmatched among all other candidates and would be very difficult to defeat by the Democrats regardless of whoever they end up nominating. Senator Hagel is the only Republican who has the ability to swing back the Reagan democrats. As a strong supporter of the Senator in NJ, I hope other fellow Republican New Jerseyans support this man."