DSCC denies asking Hackett to drop out

[ohio_liberal]

http://basie.blogspot.com/2005/10/update-dscc-denies-asking-hackett-to.html

"Moments after noting that we had yet to receive comment on the late breaking story that DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer was trying to push Paul Hackett out of the Ohio Senate race, we received a call from DSCC Communications Director Phil Singer (no relation). Simply put, he said the previous report that Schumer had called Hackett to ask him to bow out "false" and "not true."

We've now put in a call to the Hackett campaign for comment and will let you know when we hear a reply..."

[Bluzmann57]

1. Um...Hackett has a real chance to win

according to some reports. So why would the DSCC want him to drop out? He could be another Democratic Senator from a large state and the Dems need that. Just doesn't make any sense. Please keep us posted on this development, should events warrant.

[ohio_liberal]

2. I've been keeping my eye on it.

Not sure what's going on here yet.

Many say that DSCC leadership doesn't like contested primaries. The story goes that Hackett went to DC to get the blessing of the leadership, then Brown decided to jump in after saying he wouldn't, and now the leadership isn't so keen on Hackett. Hackett's people are allegedly giving info on the the alleged (I'm going to use alleged for now) betrayal to the media. Now the DSCC is denying it ever happened.

[Cocoa]

3. that's what was missing from the Plain Dealer story

they didn't print a response from Schumer to the Hackett aide's charge. A pretty big omission, I'd say.

[AX10]

4. DAMN IT! The DSCC has the advantage in 2006 and...

again are screwing it up! :argh: They force Langevin out of the race in Rhode Island. Langevin and Hackett are top tier candidates and they are not being allowed to run. Our chances of taking back the Senate are getting dimmer and dimmer.

:eyes:

Paul Hackett must be our Senatorial nomminee in Ohio for 2006. We need that seat.

[Cocoa]

5. Schumer is denying it

[ohio_liberal]

6. I read the plain dealer article again--

I read the Plain Dealer article again:

He said Hackett was dismayed by a phone call Thursday from New York Sen. Charles Schumer, head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, hinting "that Paul should get out of the race."

Maybe Schumer didn't come right out and tell him to drop out. Maybe he just suggested it in a roudabout way. :shrug:

I find it hard to believe Hackett's people would just make shit up.

[Cocoa]

9. it could be a lot of things

it could actually be bad reporting, a misquote of Brautigan for example.

It could also be that Brautigan was just being careless, not really making anything up, but just being careless about how he interpreted what Hackett told him about how he interpreted the phone call.

Or it could be Hackett being careless in how he himself interpreted what Schumer said.

Or it could be that Hackett interpreted it correctly, and Schumer is now playing serious dirty politics by denying it.

One thing for sure, the overreaction on the Web is way out of line given how little any of us knows.

[DURHAM D]

7. I supported Hackett in his congressional race - gave him money.

However, my support was somewhat reserved - I think he is a hot head and not weighty. If Hackett is putting this shit out there then my fears are confirmed.

[ohio_liberal]

8. Read it all again

The Hackett spokesman said it was "hinted" that Hackett should leave the race. The DSCC communication director is denying that Hackett was told to leave the race.

[DURHAM D]

10. So what ?

The DSCC probably has the same worries about Hackett that I do. If we have a more solid, mature, earned his bones candidate - go with him.

[ohio_liberal]

11. You wrote "if"

If Hackett is putting that shit out there...

I'm saying it might not be true. Just responding to your post, nothing more.

[DURHAM D]

12. Thanks - and by the way - I don't live in Ohio and I do

respect your choice for the Senate ticket. His congressional race was exciting and everyone got involved in the possibilities. He was saying things about Iraq that we all wanted our elected leaders to say but a neophyte went there. It is important to consider that neophytes have the luxury to be so brash.

[ohio_liberal]

13. I like Brown, I like Hackett

I'll support whoever is the nominee. Either candidate has a tough fight on his hands.