Cheney Takes a Shot at Hagel Over Remarks

Vice President Dick Cheney shot back at Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, who has accused the Bush administration of playing “a ping-pong game with American lives” by sending more U.S. troops into Iraq.

“Let’s say I believe firmly in Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican,” Cheney said. “But it’s very hard sometimes to adhere to that where Chuck Hagel is involved.”

Cheney’s comments came in a Newsweek interview released Sunday.

Hagel, a potential presidential candidate, has been outspoken in his criticism that the Republican White House lacks a coherent strategy in Iraq.

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