buuxi oraahdan soo socota: Hagel waxa lagu xaman jiray in uu noqon karo madaxweyne ku xigeenka Senator Barack Obama,
Ololaha doorashada madaxtinimada ee 2008. 20-kii Juun, 2008, Hagel wuxuu sheegay inuu ka fiirsan doono inuu la tartamo Obama haddii loo soo bandhigo booska madaxweyne ku xigeenka, in kasta oo uu ku daray inuusan rumaysanayn in Obama uu isaga u dooran doono jagadaas. Waqtigaas waxaa sidoo kale lagu xusay inuu yahay Xoghayaha Difaaca Mareykanka ee suurtagalka ah si uu ugu guuleysto Robert Gates maamulka Obama. Hagel wuxuu sheegay in uu ka fiirsan doono in uu u adeego hadii la waydiiyo.