WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Sen. Chuck Hagel , a leading Republican voice on international affairs and an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq , wo n't endorse either major-party presidential candidate in 2008 , a spokesman said Tuesday . Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is leaving office after his current term . 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 . `` Sen. Hagel has no intention of getting involved in any of the campaigns , and is not planning to endorse either candidate , '' Hagel spokesman Jordan Stark said . The two-term senator from Nebraska is leaving office after his current term and will be overseas on official business during this year 's party conventions , Stark said . Hagel is a longtime friend of Sen. John McCain , the presumptive GOP presidential nominee , and briefly mulled a 2008 presidential bid of his own . But he has butted heads with McCain and other leading Republicans over the war in Iraq and sharply criticized McCain 's campaign in July for its attacks on Obama . Tuesday , after endorsing Obama , former Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa , a Republican , said he hoped the Illinois senator would consider Hagel as his running mate or for `` a serious position in an Obama administration . '' CNN 's Alexander Mooney and Victoria Riess contributed to this report .
Statement comes after ex-congressman suggests Hagel as Obama running mate . Sen. John McCain , a Republicans , has disagreed with friend John McCain about Obama war . Hagel has criticized John McCain 's campaign for its attacks on Obama .