Putting Progress First: Getting Over the Ohio SNAFU

[WilliamPitt]

Putting Progress First: Getting Over the Ohio SNAFU
By Mike Hersh for PDA

Regarding the fallout from the effort to ensure the most progressive Democrat wins the Ohio Senate Race. This is very unfortunate, and I wish Rep. Brown had dealt with this better. If he had, then Paul Hackett wouldn’t have entered the race in the first place.

Hackett originally deferred to Brown, only deciding to run for Senate when Brown was slow to announce his intention to run. The delay made no sense to those familiar with the situation, and led to hurt feelings. However, other than this screw-up, Brown has been a true progressive leader in the House who would make a huge positive difference in the Senate. This might not fit the “dump on the dumb Dems” message the mainstream media finds so appealing, but sometimes the facts don’t fit the script.

More: http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=529

[Rick Myers]

1. As a former Ohioan, I know Brown is a good man, but...

Henry Waxman called Hackett contributors and a guy working for Brown, Dan Lucas reportedly has been running a whisper campaign about 'war crimes' with Dem county leaders in Ohio. That's just BAD OLD politics. Don't forget, there are only maybe 8 out of 88 counties in Ohio that have Dem majorities.

I know Sherrod Brown is a good progressive thinker, but the way this was handled goes directly to what is wrong with both parties.

[Generator]

5. War crimes?

I'm not surprised by that-but damn sad I'm not! More proof that the Dems are as bad as the Republicans. IF PDA had any guts-they'd have mounted a breakway campaign for Hackett and see how much money they could have raised for him in 30 days with the base. IF money is the issue. Money, money, money. Ha! It's more like FEAR-that the Democrats would actually have to change their tune-and actually speak for their base instead of their corporate donors.
The "weirdos" like us on DU that think the Democratic party has sold us out lock stock and barrel.
The Democratic needs a civil war to reform itself. I thought a new way of doing business was the only point of PDA. Apparently the whole point of PDA is to try to find a progressive candidate but if the "big guns" say no-roll over. Please. Some of us are really ready to fight. Enough.

Swiftboated by the good guys-welcome to the Democratic party. Enjoy your stay. We win nothing and stand for nothing but we can be just as rotten as the other side.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. I agree

The whole situation over all stinks.

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Is that true?

How disgusting. :(

[wakeme2008]

2. How about the Vets Brown pissed off

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Veterans_politican_action_committee_outraged_on_0214.html

JON SOLTZ, a 28-year old combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Executive Director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC), released the following statement upon news that Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett was leaving the Senate race in Ohio, due to internal pressure from the Democratic Party.

"It is an outrage that the Democratic Party has forced Paul Hackett out of the race for U.S. Senate. Hackett brought credibility on the number one issue facing the nation - the war in Iraq. The Democratic Party loses credibility on that issue because he is no longer running, and because they had a hand in his decision.

..more at rawstory

[OzarkDem]

3. No one forced Hackett to do anything

if he thinks he can win, he should stay in the race. The fact remains, he knew he wasn't going to win the primary, but rather than take the news in stride, he tries to blame others. Not good leadership.

[wakeme2008]

4. WTF

he knew he wasn't going to win the primary

Where did he say that?

[Rick Myers]

6. On Ed Schultz today, Paul did say he had no money...

BUT, that does not excuse what national Dem leaders did to him behind his back.

[Catrina]

14. That's because the party would not support him. He would have had money

had he been the candidate ~ people all over the country would have sent him money, I would as would many others, as they did in just two weeks when he ran against Schmidt.

It seems to me that the Democratic Party is as afraid of a change in the system as the Republicans are. They don't want the 'little people' to have a say. We don't really 'understand anything', so we can't be trusted with the power the Founding Fathers invested in 'we the people'.

I'm really beginning to think that there's no point in fighting this from within the party. We keep getting the same results, and keep going back, told to 'get over it' or 'move on' now that THEY have made the choice for us. I find that insulting. Especially considering the mess they've made.

I think Brown will lose and I don't accept the idea that because someone has been in Congress for 30 years, they deserve the nomination. The founding fathers believed that citizens should be willing to serve in Congress for only a short time, and then go home to their regular lives.

That was wise ~ they would not have time to get too entrenched and too fond of the status quo ~

I hope this horrible mistake doesn't discourage all the other veterans from running. Schumer loves this war ~ and Brown, while maybe being opposed to it, can be trusted to only talk about 'how best to win, now that we're there'. God forbid we should hurt Bush's feelings. Hackett could not.

NY libs are wealthy, and well funded. They would never support a regular guy like Hackett. At their little fund-raising soirees at $5000 a person, they were probably having fits of the 'vapors' every time Hackett called Bush a liar, et.

Oh well, at least we had our hopes dashed early this time, and we have the last election to look back on, and its aftermath, to remind us that there's really not much point in getting excited about 2006. I'm still trying to get over the non-coverage of, and the refusal by the Democratic Party to help uncover the election fraud that occurred. They thought we'd 'get over it' they need to get out and meet some real people ~

There's such a disconnect between them and the real world ~ people are losing, every day, benefits, student loans, healthcare, savings and all they can do is engage in political tricks.

[Generator]

17. If I had another heart I'd give you one!

Been reading your posts all day on Hackett-and I agree with you. I almost get the feeling that more important than Brown winning is making damn sure Hackett didn't get the chance-can't upset the old same-o same-o. And that would mean that we have spys in our own house of love- if you get my drift.

[Dr Fate]

20. The bosses could have funded & supported him from the get-go...

And they would have if they gave two-flips about what the grass-roots thinks.

[eridani]

29. Brown was against the war from the beginning

--and no way in hell is he going to pull any "how to win" crap.

[WilliamPitt]

27. "Where did he say that?"

He said it when he said "I quit."

Truth.

[wakeme2008]

31. No

and this Vet says Flip Flopper Brown is going to lose to a dirty Repug. :grr:

[WilliamPitt]

34. Then I am ashamed to know you

Look at what Brown stands for:

http://www.house.gov/sherrodbrown/issues.htm

Look at what he has done, what he has supported, what he stands for.

You are going to let a candidate this good lose because of your spite? Your spite is more important than removing these insane assholes in power from Congress?

Really?

If so, then I am ashamed to know you.

Look at Sherrod Brown and his record, and then look at yourself. Damn.

[wakeme2008]

37. Liberal Ted Brown can not WIN southern

Ohio. And Swiftboater Waxman shows that the Dems in DC want control of who runs EVEN if it costs them a Senate seat.

[wakeme2008]

38. Now you can be Ashamed of Dr. Dean

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2110125

[DinahMoeHum]

40. What does Dean have to do with this? or was that just sarcasm?

Dean at the DNC is too busy travelling around the country rebuilding and shoring up state Democratic parties so that the Dems can be competitive in EVERY race in EVERY state, from village clerk to US Senate. (aka the 50-State Strategy)

It's not his job to get involved in this pissing match.

:kick:

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Right

I wish he stud up too and said "hell no." It would've been nice I think to have a real fighting democrat. :( And if he was worried about money I'm sure he could've come to the blogs and grassroots.

[OhioBlue]

12. Leadership

From an interview with www.oh02.com :

Ohio 2nd: What was the straw? Was it Harry Reid, getting the call from Harry Reid? Was it Tim Ryan, or--

Paul Hackett: It was an accumulation of these phone calls over the last week, and phone calls to donors and host donors across the country. And that in the context of the impact on my family and my personal life. And I just said, one, are we going to be able to be successful, and I came up with a question mark. And two, I asked, what is the cost to continue on, and I know that's a heavy cost. And that heavy cost in the face of the resistance from within the party, I said...no, I'm not going to do it any more.

And you know, look, I'm going to come out worse a month from now, the party's going to come out worse a month from now. The staff isn't going to be any better off a month from now or two months from now, and I said okay, I'll sit this one down.
...
I think that right now, we need to get through this, and let everybody's emotions and passions die down, and look at what we ultimately need to accomplish. And, at least in my case, what we need to accomplish is defeating Mike DeWine. And statewide we need to accomplish getting a Democratic governor, and as many other Democrats statewide. And you're sitting right in front of me, but I'm not just lipping that for the sake of lipping it. I may not be saying it with the same level of enthusiasm that I sometimes voice my opinions, but I'm *literally* tired. I've *literally* been up all night. - snip -

So, OzarkDem - I think you're all wrong on this. To me this shows a great amount of leadership. The a__hole powers that be force him out, try to dry up his funding... He evaluates what is best for him and the party and makes a decision that had to be excruciating for him to make and then states that the focus still needs to be on getting Dems elected.

[Dr Fate]

16. The "bosses" should have funded Hackett- the Iraq Vet.

If they gave a crap about what the majority of the grass-roots thought they would have.

We get the "good old boys" system instead of input.

[WilliamPitt]

28. Tell me what you know about Sherrod Brown.

[Dr Fate]

41. Sherry who? Tell me who the choice of the active base was.

He was going to be our McCain- every reproter in the world would have given him media access- and he would have won.

Now we have whats his name. "The bosses" got it wrong again, in my opinion.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. Agreed. Problem Is Too Many Here Think With Their Hearts Over Their Heads

Kinda like betting on a sports team or a gambling with a stock. You know what happens when you base decisions on them with the heart instead of the head right?

I understand many DU'ers emotions, but now is not the time to get reckless from the heart, it is the time to collectively use our heads. Use our heads for the one main issue this year: Taking back congress.

It is hard to be objective sometimes, but objectivity through times of emotion is one of the powerful weapons of truth.

[Dr Fate]

11. I dont trust the strategists who lost the last 3 elections anymore.

I also have yet to see the "big win" results from the "you upstarts sit down and let the adults handle this" crowd.

What makes you think that supporting Hackett was an "emotional" thing- it was pragmatic- he could have gotten moderate Republicans and vets to vote for him.

I also reject the idea that machine as opposed to grass-roots politics is a superior way to win back congress.

The guys running the machine keep getting things wrong by my count.

[OhioBlue]

15. you've got to be kidding

inspiring emotion and enthusiasm is exactly what we need in candidates. Thinking with our "heads" too much may be what is getting us into trouble. We need the charisma factor in our candidates.

[Dr Fate]

19. I reject the notion that Hackett was not the pragmatic choice.

I think you fall into a false argument by even acknowledging the notion that Paul is the "emotional" choice!

[OhioBlue]

23. good point.

i should have included that it is my opinion that he would be the smart choice b/c he can inspire people rather than simply having a better looking report card.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Absolutely Agree With You 100%. That isn't really what I meant though.

I'm not talking about Hackett. I supported him completely and thought he was great. I'm talking about what we do now. What's over is over, and it's ok to voice emotion over that. But taking it too far to the point that we start ripping other candidates appart and not supporting who IS going to be the candidate is where the recklessness comes in, in my opinion. I know others may not agree but I take winning back congress in 06 as the most vital issue facing us right now. I think to do it we are going to need a focus we've never shared before and the only way to do that is to think with our heads, count our losses where applicable and continue to forge ahead as an unstoppable force behind whatever candidates end up oppoosing the GOP. That's just my view on it.

[OhioBlue]

25. I see your point

and, I would expect that many of us that are very upset today will calm down and continue to work for Dems, however, the enthusiasm might not be there. Today's news sucked. Paul Hackett was only one of two statewide candidates that really sparked anything for me.

I would rather have Brown as my senator over DeWine, but I would LOVE to have Paul Hackett as my Senator. I would work for Paul and donate to Paul b/c I want him to represent me. I'll vote for Brown b/c he's the Dem against DeWine.

[Catrina]

22. I disagree. I'm judging by the tactics and the methods of those still

calling the shots, and their record over the past 12 years. It's been pretty dismal ~ and the losses haven't just been in elections, they've been in the budget, in the gross and criminal nominations Bush jokingly put forward for nomination, passed every time.

The American people are being cheated and used and ignored and starved, deprived of basic needs, and you are asking that we not change a thing, just keep trusting the same people who got us here.

Well, I'm tired of being on the losing side. This Hackett situation has all the earmarks of another failed tactic ~ after four or five years, the pattern is obvious. Get everyone excited about a charismatic candidate, then find a way to make sure he doesn't have a chance and just keep on doing what we've done before. Push a candidate who won't rock the boat. Watch him lose, after we 'get over' the one we really thought had a chance, and then expect to stop this criminal cabal that is running the country

I simply can't watch one more more Tweety show, or MTP with an appeasing Democrat, mincing words over the worst crimes most here have seen in their lifetimes while people die and get tortured and the country gets used to it. What we needed was to shake things up, instead the writing's on the wall, it'll be the same old losing endeavor. Not worth participating in anymore, imo.

[tsuki]

33. You are correct. But then, so do the voters. This was a big

screw-up. And it will be exploited by the GOP. Brown will face DeWhine and the ghost of Hackett in November. I predict that the GOP will have him on the defensive about Hackett the entire race.

[Dr Fate]

13. "The bosses" know best, huh?

Not by my count. By my count the netroots types and volunteer/donor base have had it right all along on nearly every major point of strategy- like supporting Hackett for SENATE.

This Hackett business seems to be an extension of the failed 2002 and 2004 strategies-as well as the refusal to be serious about the filibuster- it smacks of the "play it safe, lets not rock the boat too much" thinking that I've ran across a lot.

I think the grass-roots does NOT need to get over this- we need to make it known that we want INPUT in exchange for our donations and volunteer work.

[WilliamPitt]

35. How many of your choices have won an election?

Don't bury your answer in claims of victimhood. Answer straight up: How many of your choices have won an election?

[Dr Fate]

42. All of my choices were ignored in the last 3 election cycles we lost.

My choices are not on trial- the failed choices of the last 3 election cylces is what is at issue- Squeezing out an Irar Vet is another one of those failed choices.

We was IN the freaking IRAQ WAR. Finially somthing Joe Six Pack would GET- we blew it.

[Clarkie1]

18. I'll tell you how Brown could have "handled it better."

He could have showed Hackett a little respect.

The "little screw up," as you refer to it is bigger in my book than ANYONE'S voting record.

If Clark does not run as a Dem in 08', I will leave this party and register independent.

Enough is enough.

[Rick Myers]

26. I would support Clark as a breakaway party candidate.

What was done to Hackett is disgusting. While I have little respect for some of the 'leadership' of the Dems, I held Waxman and Brown in fairly high regard. This was bad for the party, but, in the end, it may be GREAT for the Nation!!!

[WilliamPitt]

36. Nice switchover

You tied your own allegiance to the party, while 'suffering' residual bitterness about Hackett, to 'respect.' You then stapled that bitterness to Clark running in '08, making allegiance to Clark all about 'respect.' Or else you'll go "Independent." Hm.

Nice astroturf. Seriously. Really well done.

(psssst...I really like Clark...but not so much with the bullshit, eh? I see you).

[mdmc]

24. pretty much how I see it - bad politics

[eridani]

30. The DCCC picked a vet over a progressive activist in Illinois

Nothing wrong with Tammy Duckworth as a person. Politically, she has not lived in the district she represents, and was utterly clueless on issues like the Bankruptcy Bill. Christine Cegelis, her primary opponent, essentially forced Henry Hyde into retirement with a strong race in 2004, and has an active local campaign organization.

So if vets are pissed about Hackett, are they pleased about the establishment's choice of a veteran over a local policitian in Illinois?

[WilliamPitt]

32. Holy shit.

Sorry.

You took my breath away with that post.

Well said.

*ahem*

Well. Said. (!!)

...and nicely done. Thank you. THAT = wisdom.

:toast:

[eridani]

39. Another point

Cegelis is not quitting just because the national party is backing her opponent. Hackett had that option as well. Of course, Cegelis has her own ground organization, and Hackett essentially borrowed his special election ground organization from none other than Sherrod Brown.