Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel has long been a critic of the Bush Administration's strategy in Iraq. He has also been a very public critic of Senator John McCain's stance on the war. Now, that criticism could result in an endorsement for an unlikely candidate.

During recent appearances on the cable nets to promote his book, Hagel continued to voice his opinion that the war has become a "quagmire".

On FOX News Channel's Hannity and Colmes, he voiced his displeasure at what he calls the Bush Administration's quick push to invade Iraq.

The Senator says that Bush should have allowed international inspectors to finish their search for weapons of mass destruction, which he says Bush and other senior officials told him would happen.

Hagel says that was not the case, and that the administration misrepresented themselves. "I would say this, that his administration certainly misrepresented, starting with the fact when we were told, many of us, including me, that this administration had not made a decision to go to war," he says. "At the time of the resolution vote in October of 2002, in fact, now we know that that is just not true."

On MSNBC, Hagel was asked if he would endorse GOP presidential nominee John McCain. "John McCain is a very good friend," Hagel says, "but he and I obviously have some very significant differences on Iraq, on some other things. I may not endorse anyone."

Hagel has also been asked numerous times if he would cross party lines to back current Democratic front-runner Barack Obama. "It's possible, but I don't see that happening," Hagel says. "My endorsement is irrelevant anyway for the success of any candidate."

There is speculation out in the political spectrum that goes so far as to suggest that Hagel could end up as Obama's running mate, speculation Hagel dismisses and many political experts see as unlikely.

Senator Hagel has also been linked to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has been considering entering the race as a third party candidate. While we may have to wait and see if that candidacy materializes, it seems more unlikely as the election looms closer.

Would a Hagel endorsement help cement Obama as the Democratic nominee? It's unlikely, but an endorsement from a Senator who just a few years ago was listed as one of the top most conservative voting Senators by The National Review, but is now perceived as a maverick Republican, could be just one more cog in the wheel helping drive a very liberal Senator into the White House.

Learn more about this author, Brian Mattix.
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