HAGEL PONDERING BID AS PROFILE RISES

Fresh off his highly publicized rebuke of the Bush administration's war policy at a committee hearing earlier this week, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel told the Washington Post he's talking with people who matter to him about a bid for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.

Hagel is wildly unpopular with party regulars because of his maverick career.

Could that lead to an independent candidacy?

Hagel joked during the interview about teaming up with New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a moderate Republican, and also floated the possibility of joining a bipartisan unity ticket with a Democrat -- with his name first, of course. -- Washington Post

A position as the anti-war Republican seems to be a more-likely bet.