Paul Hackett Letter

[wakeme2008]

per RawStory http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Hackett_statement_on_pullout_from_Ohio_0214.html

Today I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the race for United States Senate. I made this decision reluctantly, only after repeated requests by party leaders, as well as behind the scenes machinations, that were intended to hurt my campaign.

But there was no quid pro quo. I will not be running in the Second Congressional District nor for any other elective office. This decision is final, and not subject to reconsideration.

I told the voters from the beginning that I am not a career politician and never aspired to be--that I was about leadership, service and commitment.

Similarly, I told party officials that I had given my word to other good Democrats, who will take the fight to the Second District, that I would not run. In reliance on my word they entered the race. I said it. I meant it. I stand by it. At the end of the day, my word is my bond and I will take it to my grave.

Thus ends my 11 month political career. Although it is an overused political clichй, I really will be spending more time with my family, something I wasn't able to do because my service to country in the political realm continued after my return from Iraq. Perhaps my wonderful wife Suzi said it best after we made this decision when she said "Honey, welcome home." I really did marry up.

To my friends and supporters, I pledge that I will continue to fight and to speak out on the issues I believe in. As long as I have the microphone, I will serve as your voice.

It is with my deepest respect and humility that I thank each and every one of you for the support you extended to our campaign to take back America, and personally to me and my family. Together we made a difference. We changed the debate on the Iraq War, we inspired countless veterans to continue their service by running for office as Democrats and we made people believe again. We must continue to believe.

Remember, we must retool our party. We must do more than simply aspire to deliver greatness; we must have the commitment and will to fight for what is great about our party and our country; Peace, prosperity and the freedoms that define our democracy.

Rock on.

Paul Hackett
*************************************
:cry: :cry :cry:

[Kukesa]

1. Rock on??? You're leaving the sock hop, Paul. nt

[stepnw1f]

2. What Dirt Did They Find on this Guy?

What does this mean exactly: "behind the scenes machinations"

[MrBenchley]

3. "You won't have Paul Hackett to kick around any more."

And so the guy who lost the only race he ever ran (to a crazy woman, no less) departs blaming others....

[wakeme2008]

4. well they did tell his donors to stop sending money

and he did almost win over the crazy woman where no Dem has got even close in that district.

the backroom boys won and we lost at chance at a Senate seat. :cry:

[MrBenchley]

5. Hackett quit because he was 20 points down in the polls

and he's lashing out to blame others for his failure.

[wakeme2008]

6. BROWN PAID FOR POLLS

:grr:

[stepnw1f]

7. If That's True, I'm Disgusted

And if this is true Paul should still run!!!

[wakeme2008]

8. that is from KOS post of the polls on his site nt

[Totally Committed]

9. After all this man has plain-out said....

after his unabashed honesty, his courage, and his spirit, you actually think he'd leave a race because he was 20 points behind? Are you crazy? "As long as I have the microphone, I will be your voice" -- does that sound like someone who left of his own volition?

This Party just effectively drove out one of the real lights in the darkness, and I believe it was for political reasons. His outspokeness was "problematic", his truth-telling made them all look like the hypocrites they were.

And, I didn't hear any lashing out or blaming others in that letter. In true Hackett style he said what was what, and let that do his talking. I resent the implication otherwise on his behalf. That was a dignified and humble way of telling us we are now on our own. If he implied that it was our own Party who drove him out, then I think we should take that to the bank.

This Party continues its downward spiral. This is just another example of that.

TC

[IndianaGreen]

10. The Establishment Dems are using same tactics to save Lieberman

as a Connecticut DUer said here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2458941#2459069

[MrBenchley]

12. Yeah, it's horrible when actual democracy

intrudes on left-wing fantasy.

[MrBenchley]

11. You mean when he said "Deport them all"?

Hackett QUIT.

"This Party just effectively drove out one of the real lights in the darkness, and I believe it was for political reasons."
You wouldn't want a political party to be....political or anything. </sarcasm>

"I didn't hear any lashing out or blaming others in that letter"
Yeah, that "behind the scenes machinations" charge was just a little ray of sunshine....</sarcasm>