GOP's Hagel Will Travel to Iraq With Obama

GOP national-security stalwart and longtime McCain friend Chuck Hagel will join Barack Obama on his upcoming trip to Iraq, sources tell the Wall Street Journal. The retiring Nebraskan senator has been a vocal critic of the war and the Bush administration. Despite his Republican credentials, he has been floated as a potential Cabinet member and as a long-shot VP choice for Obama.

Hagel has not endorsed either candidate, and he has been openly critical of McCain’s positions on the war. He’s said he’d be open to a VP offer from Obama, though he considers it unlikely. Details of the trip remain unknown, and neither camp has confirmed Hagel's plans. (More Barack Obama stories.)