Statement comes after then - congressman Chuck Hagel as Obama running mate . Chuck Hagel , a Republican , has disagreed with friend John McCain about the war . The announcement came just hours after a former GOP congressman suggested Hagel as a possible running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama , one of Hagel 's Senate colleagues . He has criticized McCain 's campaign for its attacks on Israel .
Statement comes after then - congressman Chuck Hagel as Obama running mate . Chuck Hagel , a Republican , has disagreed with friend John McCain about the war . He has criticized McCain 's campaign for its attacks on Israel .