Do you really expect Hackett to win?

[Sean Reynolds]

I mean step back a second and ignore the possibility of fraud. Even without fraud this is a heavily populated Republican district and I just don't see him winning. He may, by chance, come within a few points....but winning just seems very unlikely.

I hope he wins, but I'm not holding my breath -- and it isn't because I suspect fraud. Even without fraud it'd be an up hill battle.

If the outcome is NOT in favor of Hackett, don't be too surprised.

I guess all we can hope for is that he makes it close?

[ewagner]

1. If he comes within

5 points or less, I'll consider it a moral victory.

and proclaim it LOUDLY along with a message that this is the beginning of the end of Republican rule!

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Without fraud I think it's possible.

I don't know about OH-2, but my heavily Republican district is growing increasingly fed up with the crap going on in the Republican party. Support for the war is dwindling....

[Mass]

3. His score will be extremely important

If he comes close to his opponent, even if he did not win, this will be a huge victory in this district where Dems have not done better than 35 % since 1980.

[OneTwentyoNine]

4. Here in Repuke locked Kansas we elect Dem Governors all the time...

Lately they've been women--we have one right now. Things are pretty shitty in Ohio,maybe the masses have seen the light.

[davidinalameda]

5. no but anything above 40-45% would be good

since the district went 72% for the Repuke last time around

[wakeme2008]

6. Yes,,,

the Vet Group thread tells me a lot. Sorry no link.

[LSparkle]

7. With the kind of straight talk he's been putting out there ...

I'll bet there are a LOT of first-time voters. And the fact this happens during the summer may mean that some otherwise reliable Rethug voters aren't ...

[ulysses]

8. he's got a chance.

Win or lose, I like his campaign. I like it a lot.

[AuntPatsy]

9. I do, more are contemplating voting changes in the fact of

the reality that the balance of power is at this time non existance, clearer minds understand the danger of such continuing uninterupted for another three years.

That is of course discounting the very real dangers of fraudelent voting booths still in existance.

[necso]

10. Generally,

I am not in favor of letting high hopes build up, only to see them dashed.

But sometimes you just let things take their course.

It's a judgment call.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. I don't expect Hackett to win

That district has about a 3:1 ratio of Republicans to Democrats. The GOP shouldn't even need fraud to win.

[OhioBlue]

12. It is possible

This is a special election and it will be all about turnout. The primary was ugly and one of Schmidt's former opponents is calling for repugs to stay home. Also, the scandals in Ohio are deep and Schmidt can be linked to Noe (the corrupt campaign contributer in the headlines for Coingate). This may also make Repugs feel like staying home and sway the independents to vote against a R. Combined with that, Hackett has run a great campaign. His campaign alone and the quality candidate that he is will by itself sway some independents. Also, the passion against R in the Dem base may help turnout among Dems.

[Old and In the Way]

13. Dems are outnumbered 3:1 in his district, but there are 2.5x as many

Independents as Republicans....so, baring more Republican scumbaggery, Hackett has a real chance.

[cally]

14. I think he might pull it out

He's a great candidate and Scmidt is horrible. The GOP scandals in Ohio taint the entire Ohio Republican party. Also, a school bond is on the ballot which will bring out younger voters who have less strong ties to a party. With the strong GOTV, I think he may win. Also, CNN pundits on Inside Politics were slipping and saying when Hackett wins. It's the same types of slips they did with Kerry. Barring voter fraud, hopefully, I think the turnout numbers may indicate some great news.

[The_Casual_Observer]

15. When it comes to Hackett, the rwingers all of a sudden think Iraq

doesn't matter, that it's all shit.

[geek tragedy]

16. Crazier things have happened, but very rarely. eom

[OhioBlue]

17. 30 minutes to go

and we should start hearing some results. Go Paul!!!