"After months of national media speculation and cautious words" from Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), the Lincoln Journal Star reports "he said it squarely" during an airplane interview last week: "I will consider a race for the presidency."
"Significantly, Hagel expects to make appearances at caucus meetings of the Iowa and New Hampshire delegations during the Republican National Convention in New York later this month."
The Omaha World Herald notes Hagel "said he will also consider two other options - running for re-election to the Senate or returning to the private sector."
The AP quotes Hagel: "If I decide to run for the presidency -- or seek re-election -- it will be for the right reasons, and the reasons are that I think I can make a contribution and help effect change in our country and have some influence over the direction of this country."