Hackett joins veterans PAC

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers/

No longer a candidate, Paul Hackett has taken his first public step to stay involved in congressional politics. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee announced today that Hackett, a major in the Marine Reserves, has joined its board of advisors.

He'll work with other board members including Wesley Clark, the retired general and former presidential candidate, and Leslie Gelb, the former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, to get more modern-day veterans elected to Congress.

"Anyone who was upset about what happened to my Senate campaign should support IAVA PAC to help ensure it happens to no one else," Hackett said in a statement released by the PAC. "As a candidate for the House and Senate, I got a crash course in party politics that wasn't always pretty. IAVA PAC represents the best hope to get early institutional support to others who face the same challenges I did. I want to be sure that they do not suffer the same
fate that I did, by helping them build campaigns that can run strongly
without party support."

The PAC is critical of President Bush's execution of the war in Iraq but highly supportive of the military, saying in its founding principles that "the President must present a plan for success that includes hard metrics and a schedule to reach our goals."...

[xchrom]

1. very cool!

[Kolesar]

2. PD writers love controversial stuff

pit democrats against democrats.

[Totally Committed]

3. Outstanding!

I have high hopes for this PAC.

TC

[Algorem]

4. Hackett should share his tremendously successful techniques.

It's the right thing to do.

[cyclezealot]

5. Mixed feelings about Hackett.

Yes, he was used. He is hardly the first. They still wanted him to run for Congress. Think would have financially helped him in that race. I read of polls said he was like 28% and Brown like 46% in race against Dewine. I want Hackett in office. Were party officials wrong to be swayed by whom they thought the winner.
Cronnyism politics or just reality bites. Poorly managed, yes.
When McGovern switched from Eagleton to Shriver, did not lessen my love of McGovern's politics. I think those who shafted Hackett want him around for another race. Financially and otherwise there would be help for him. Does Sherrod Brown and Hackett really have any differences over policy. Sherrod Brown might even considering making Hackett his chief of staff?
I suggest over get in a tiff over this we should try to make amends and ask for forgiveness by those who handled this so poorly. Being that both are equally progressive. Not party bullying, just changing horses in mid stream. No one said Hackett had no right to run. Just the fact polls showed Brown stronger. At least at that point in time.

[NVMojo]

6. I support veterans of the Bush wars!!!

[Texas_Kat]

7. I'm very glad to see that Wes Clark

seems to have talked Paul Hackett into working to help other Fighting Dems to avoid the "insider" trading that went on in the Senate primary race in Ohio.

Without getting into the "who was at fault" I think we can all agree that the Democratic Party is better because grassroots activists are no longer happy with politics as usual and we're willing to step up to the plate to work for candidates we believe in.

"Professional" Democratic pols are going to need to learn that they do NOT have all the answers and that if they expect support, they'll need to show more respect for those of us who actually work in these election and vote for these candidates.

[stepnw1f]

8. Clark/Hackett '08?

Ya never know....

[Algorem]

9. This PAC WILL DONATE MONEY TO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES TOO,

said Hackett on Ed Schultz today.

[high density]

12. It's possible, if they meet IAVA PAC's rather limited criteria

http://www.iavapac.org/criterion.html

[liberalnurse]

13. Yes, many PAC's seek to further their agenda.

As I told you before.....an example is Nursing; American Nusing Association. There are many non-partisian PAC's. Go ahead and review all the PAC's. non-partisian contributions are common practice.

Look here with my example:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.asp?strID=C00017525&Cycle=2006

American Nurses Assn:
PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates
2006 Cycle

Total to Democratic House Candidates: $49,082
Total to Republican House Candidates: $14,500

House list is too long to post....go take a peek.


Senate Candidate Total Contribs

Brown, Sherrod (D-OH) $1,000

Cardin, Ben (D-MD) $1,000

Chafee, Lincoln D (R-RI) $1,000

Conrad, Kent (D-ND) $1,000

Ford, Harold E Jr (D-TN) $1,000

Mikulski, Barbara A (D-MD) $1,000

Pallone, Frank Jr (D-NJ) $2,000

Stabenow, Debbie (D-MI) $2,500

Thomas, Craig (R-WY) $1,000

Total to Democratic Senate Candidates: $9,500
Total to Republican Senate Candidates: $2,000

[Algorem]

10. Paul Hackett joins PAC to aid Afghanistan,Iraq veterans running for office

Paul Hackett joins PAC to aid Afghanistan, Iraq veterans running for office

RAW STORY
Published: February 20, 2006

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Paul_Hackett_joins_PAC_to_aid_0220.html

...Press release from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC):...

Cites need to provide candidates early support that he never got from the party

NEW YORK - Citing the need to help other candidates in the same situation he was in, former candidate for the US Senate Seat in Ohio and Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett is announcing his decision to join Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC) today, as a member of the group's Board of Advisors. IAVA PAC will benefit those candidates, who like Hackett, are Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans seeking to continue their service to their country by seeking elected office.

"Anyone who was upset about what happened to my Senate campaign should support IAVA PAC to help ensure it happens to no one else," said Hackett...

[liberalnurse]

14. You apparently are clueless as to the

utilization of negotiation skills. A non-partisan PAC excels in this department. Apparently you need to familiarize yourself with the details of true politics.

[rexcat]

15. "It" does not know what it thinks...

I am also a veteran, but when I served, people like "it" treated active duty military like dirt. Still don't know what state "it" is from. Very confusing! If "it" is from Ohio "it" is probably from NE Ohio and that would explain a lot!

I wish Paul Hackett good tidings. The repuke leadership sure does not support veterans issues. There are a lot of guys coming back from Iraq who are not going to get adequate care for their wounds, be it physical or mental.

[Algorem]

16. odd .

[rexcat]

17. It

[cyclezealot]

18. anyone see him on Hardball.

what a shame. His entrance into politics has to be such a cynical experience. What a waste his talents can't be used to effect US politics. I heartedly approve of his comments on Christain fanatics and Bush bashing- ie bush a cokehead. But,a little can understand how that might panic Democratic fundraisers.
Question. How do you think a debate with a Democratic bombthrower would go on, should Hackett get the nomination facing DeWine being vastly overspent by DeWine on TV. Might the bomb throwing backfire on an underfunded Democratic bombthrower. My emotional response is 'bring it on.'

[Rex]

11. Thank you Paul Hackett

for not bailing on lesser men in the Dem party! Stick it out and I bet one day you will be a Senator and eventually POTUS. Dems should back you totally for another House run...please think about it.