What do you think when you hear a politician say the following?

“National security is more important than the Republican Party or the Democratic Party and to use it to try and get someone elected will ultimately end up in defeat and disaster for that political party.”

I agree with those words. Any party that makes an effort to label itself the “security” party will ultimately ruin itself.

The man who said those words – Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska – is not a likely candidate to garner my respect. In most circumstances, the letter that follows his name in news broadcasts (a big “R” for Republican), would immediately turn me off.

I like to think that I’m the kind of person who looks past partisan bickering, even if I may bicker myself, from time to time. I try to make judgments on a politician based on what they say, do and support, not necessarily the political party they belong to.

For this reason, I can openly say that Chuck Hagel is a man who has my respect.

Hagel is a Republican, but his politics don’t get in the way of common sense. Seeing growing problems in Iraq, Hagel changed his views on the war and began openly opposing it: Though he voted for the war, he recently sided with Democrats in calling for a gradual troop withdrawal in the region.

Although he voted to reauthorize a changed version of it, Hagel saw problems with the original Patriot Act that was passed by Congress.

Hagel is not a perfect politician in my eyes; I probably wouldn’t have voted for him myself. However, he should be recognized as a man who possesses the qualities necessary for any politician.

First, he is civil; he doesn’t attack anyone based upon their party preference but rather challenges their views on subjects in a way that is respectable. Second, he bases his opinion on what is rational, concise, and what he believes is right for America; he doesn’t use fear tactics to make his point.

Finally, he isn’t afraid to change his stance. Once a supporter of the Iraq war, he now supports the Democratic plan to begin withdrawing troops.

This week, Chuck Hagel announced that he would be retiring from the Senate in 2008, and that he would not seek the presidency as he was rumored to be considering.

Politically, this is something that I am glad about; a Democrat has the chance to take that seat in Congress. But as far as who the man is, what he’s like, and how he goes about his business, Hagel is a model politician who will be sorely missed.

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