Paul Hackett Lays In to Harry Reid (can anyone confirm this?)

[StopThief]

Paul Hackett Lays In to Harry Reid
By: Erick · Section: Democrats

. . . .Hackett has been in Washington lately. I've now been told by several people that Hackett had a meltdown in Washington today that will pretty much assure the implosion of his campaign.

Hackett had a meeting with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and proceeded to berate Reid for Reid's kind words about Harriet Miers. According to some who were there, Hackett flew off the handle and then stormed out. . . .

http://www.redstate.org/story/2005/10/4/181118/325

Caution: This is a conservative blogsite, but they have had some good info on Supreme Court nomination issues in the past.

[w13rd0]

1. And they think that will cause his campaign to implode?

HAHAHA, yeah, right. Hackett got popular saying exactly what many of us are feeling. Different people have varied takes on why Reid is doing what he's doing, but it's becoming apparent that Meier is unqualified and innappropriate for the Supreme Court, for reasons from the left and the right.

If this is confirmed, Hacketts senate campaign gets a donation from me.

[genius]

13. Go Hackett! Good work!

[Cocoa]

45. go genius!

believe everything you hear on the Internet, especially anonymous posters on conservative message boards!

Because you don't like Reid, believe bad things you hear about him!

Real genius!

[Cha]

14. "Implode"?! Right!

It will add fuel to his fiery campaign..Paul Hackett has my donation as well. And I had pretty much decided not to donate to anything for a while.

[lateo]

15. Exactly. Good for Hackett.

Someone from the heart of America needs to tell the beltway idiots what time it is.

[sendero]

59. Exactly..

.... they are hoping this is the end of his campaign.

They are scared of folks like Hackett just like they were scared of Dean. They are scared of ANYONE who might actually tell it like it is, unforunately there are only a handful in the entire Dem party who will.

[Pirate Smile]

2. It sounds like crap to me. Dismiss it unless it comes from a

decent source.

It sounds like Republican wishful thinking.

I googled and nothing of this sort showed up.

[OzarkDem]

17. How about this?

http://brown2006.blogspot.com/

Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-13) spokesperson Joanna Kuebler, on Brown's previous statement he would not run:

"His statement has not changed at this time. However, Congressman Brown continues to be asked by state and national supporters to run for the United States Senate in Ohio. Personal and professional obligations have changed since his initial decision. He is consulting with supporters and his family about a possible run."

[mattclearing]

3. Even if this did happen, it doesn't mean anything.

Reid hasn't been the leader long enough to have any real power, and Hackett is the best fresh face they have this cycle.

[deadparrot]

4. Implosion of his campaign? Even if Reid doesn't like the guy,

(and there's no solid evidence to even support that claim), he's going to support Hackett because Hackett's our best chance of beating DeWine. IMO, picking up a Senate seat is much more important than any personal squabbles between senators.

[napi21]

5. That's very suspect because of where it's coming from!

I think it's the first Pub jab at Hackett, like the swiftboaters stuff.

I suspect, as with most other accusations, there's a bit of truth to it, but I wouldn't think it would cause a meltdown! Reid has been in politics for a long time. This sure wouldn't have been a first!

[xultar]

6. Well if Hacket was too ignorant to understand the game Harry is playing

then his campaign needs to be imploded..and welp he imploded it himself.

Harry is a master @ playing Bush and The Gang. Hackett should have asked to seek understanding rather than blowing his top..

Wait...it hasn't been proven that Hackett couldn't Hackett...

So I reserve my comments until the situation is clear.

[ChiciB1]

19. What's So Interesting About Reid???

I don't actually know that much about him, and if one were simply judging a book by its cover, well Harry sure looks like a classic NERD!

I only have his recent activity to go by, and don't actually know what his voting record is, but he has come across as 50/50 to me.

Doesn't seem to be out there brandishing any kind of sword that I've seen. But what do I know??

Hackett on the other hand, has at least been out there pushing the edge and that make me more comfortable. All we seem to do here is "wonder" about what the Democrats are up to. Maybe they are acting this way because of this, or maybe they aren't saying anything because of that. In the end, I have seen very little ACTION at all from sitting Democrats!

I'm tired of trying to figure it out!

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

25. Harry Reid led some very tense moments in the Senate last

term.

I can't recall details now, but I know he was slugging it out.

I'm not sure what he's doing now. But I think civility is a good thing.

I mean he had what was called a "minor stroke" during the recess.

I do recall he defended Durbin for his controversial comments, and a lot of other stuff.

With so much stress out there already, we're not going to have anyone left to fight the good fight if everyone blows their top at each other.

I don't know what actually did happen with Hacker, who I like and hope did not do this.

Who cares if Reid looks like a nerd? That is probably often a plus in my book.

[OzarkDem]

26. Well they've just kissed off one of their best new Ohio candidates

something that is a very rare commodity these days. And they've made a decision to let a Dem congressional seat go to Republicans in order to toss Hackett aside.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. In fact, it sounds like more of the same losing strategy.

Forget 2006, we're off to a terrible start.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

27. They did? He is written off?

[OzarkDem]

31. Word on the street

is that Brown is going to run and Hackett won't challenge.

What's left for him to do? He did a great job in OH-2, revitalized the party and got treated shabbily by Dem leaders. They're leaving him no options.

What can he run for, dogcatcher?

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

35. Googling I don't find any reliable source confirming this alleged debacle

I did find this, which tells a rather different story:

"Iraq War Veteran To Challenge DeWine For Senate

POSTED: 12:36 pm EDT October 4, 2005
UPDATED: 1:59 pm EDT October 4, 2005

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Paul Hackett, the Iraq War veteran from Cincinnati who was hailed by national Democrats for his narrow loss this summer in a heavily Republican House district, has quickly moved up in rank to challenge Mike DeWine for U.S. Senate in 2006.

"Paul Hackett is running for U.S. Senate," said spokesman David Woodruff, who served as Hackett's campaign manager in his special election campaign for the 2nd District House seat against Rep. Jean Schmidt.

"He is planning to announce his decision officially on Oct. 24," Woodruff said Monday, adding an event would be held that day in Cincinnati, from which Hackett would begin a statewide bus tour.

Hackett was flying back Monday evening from Washington after meeting with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Woodruff said. Reid's spokeswoman, Tessa Hefen, would not confirm the meeting too place, but Woodruff later said Reid gave Hackett the confidence to run.

"He found overwhelming support from the leaders of the Democratic Party, campaign organizations and staff," Woodruff said..."

'Copyright 2005 by NewsNet5. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.'

More:

http://www.newsnet5.com/politics/5055500/detail.html

[OzarkDem]

40. Here are some sources

Take my word for it, these are pretty reliable..

http://democracyguy.typepad.com/democracy_guy_grassroots_/

http://brown2006.blogspot.com/

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

41. Gee that sounds

like *'s you'll have to trust me re Meirs.

Sorry, but the concept has been devalued by *'s use of it.

[OzarkDem]

42. Suit yourself

I've been active in Dem politics in Ohio for a long time. But, hey, go ahead and wait to hear it somewhere else.

BTW, did you notice one of the links was Cong Brown's own Senate campaign web site? Guess not.

[nvliberal]

28. Harry Reid is one of the shrewdest politicians around.

Unlike a political neophyte like Hackett.

If the story is true, it's time for Hackett to sack it.

[OzarkDem]

33. Can you back that up?

I can't think of a single victory he's scored as leader of the Senate Dems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. this is confirmed

hackett gets five bucks from me

[mattclearing]

9. ?

Do tell.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Sorry I mispoke if this is confirmed

[mattclearing]

11. Got it.

Add me to the list as well. It's amazing, but Hackett might as well run against the party establishment...it will do wonders for his fundraising. Kinda like Dean.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Yep and we need more like Hackett

We truly do

[nvliberal]

29. Yeah, and we all know

Dean ended up being president.

:eyes:

[DURHAM D]

8. I don't believe this story. However, something about Hackett

bothers me and I can't put my finger on it. When he was on with Bill Maher he just struck me as not very weighty. He seems bombastic and simple - sort of like a Repug. Maybe that is what will work best for Ohio.

[Awsi Dooger]

24. Thats the same impression I've had

But I don't think it's a positive. My opinion is simplistic arrogant white males are most influenced and impressed by that type of jargon and attitude. That's not the type of voter who will switch to us.

Since we never nominate anyone like this for big statewide office, admittedly it's pure theory. I wouldn't mind seeing how Hackett and his attitude hold up over a lengthy and highly publicized campaign.

[OzarkDem]

32. Agree, better we should just let Repubs keep winning

We wouldn't want to support intelligent, aggressive white guys, would we?

[Awsi Dooger]

39. I know what type of campaign Sherrod Brown would run

Safe and strategic, saying all the right things. In a state like Ohio and against an incumbent, it probably equates to a close defeat.

Hackett would sling open the parameters, more potential for big loss if he's truly a loose cannon. But also the threat of a 5 point win. I'm a gambler so he's my nominee.

[sendero]

61. Exactly...

.. I'm not looking for perfection here, I'm looking for someone who can win and then govern somewhat within my wishes, which are actually pretty broad.

I respect Reid and I'm not going to disrespect him over some comments about Miers. But if Hackett doens't like it and told him so, good for him.

The Dems have become too much like a big dysfunctional family where everyone is pissed but no one is talking about it. Shout, shout, let it all out :)

[LittleClarkie]

37. So if Reid is being "nuanced" it would follow that it wouldn't be

Hackett's cup o' tea.

It might have been preferrable to hear that he'd questioned Reid on the matter, not that he lit into the man. Short fuse?

Is Mr. Hackett a recent convert do you think? Sometimes the recovering Repubs still retain their earlier thought patterns, as some have detected in ol' Big Eddie.

[OzarkDem]

16. This confirms my earlier post

there's a lot of talk going around that Dem leaders in DC don't support Hackett and don't want him to run.

[ChiciB1]

18. Gee, Isn't That The Same Way They Treat Howard Dean???

What's new about that??? Those in Congress like to do their OWN choosing! Remember how cool they were to The Clintons????

[OzarkDem]

30. At least they're consistent

in making bad choices and decisions.

[BlueCaliDem]

64. Yeah...Some of those Lieberman Dems Like Losing Politically,

while most likely, winning financially.

They're not stupid. Most are Ivy League graduates and attorneys. We can't just keep excusing them with "they've made bad choices" and "wrong decisions" when they're too smart to do either.

[Mass]

20. May be not related, but Brown is rumored to be still in the race.

However, I read on politicalwire.com that Sherrod Brown wanted to run. Could this be related?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/10/05/brown_says_hell_challenge_dewine.html

And here on mydd.com

http://mydd.com/story/2005/10/5/1371/08538

Not knowing the situation in OH, I dont know who would be the best to beat DeWine.

[loudsue]

22. If they're trying to get Brown to run again to forestall Hackett,

THAT may be part of why Hackett exploded. Maybe the Dems are just too comfortable up there in Washington, supporting the status quo.

I think we need to get rid of the entire bunch of them, and start over with some true patriots, who care enough to fight for our country, instead of selling it to corporations like pimps on a corner.

:kick:

[Cha]

34. Yeah, that could very well

be! We'll have to see, won't we?

[OzarkDem]

23. My post above

Linked to Sherrod's blog
- he's quoted as saying something along the lines that he's being asked by national & state Dems to consider running. I don't get the feeling he wants to, we could easily end up losing his Congressional seat if he does run.

IMHO, labor & DC Dems are uncomfortable with a new face. Given we've lost so many elections recently, they're judgement isn't the best.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Draft Hacket

and remember they gave him zilch support in the special election... it is not that they are uncomfortable but they keep this up, the base will wilt away.

[genius]

21. Kick. Let's donate to Hackett's campaign site, if he has one.

[BootinUp]

36. Pretty hard to stop Hackett

If he gets internet money and can still hire some decent campaign staff. Plus the DNC would be stupid to try and stop him.

[fujiyama]

38. This could just be a RW capital hill blue

trying to stir shit up.

Hopefully Dems will be able to avoid a nasty primary in OH and whomever wins will have plenty of cash.

This is a must win seat if we want to have even the slightest chance of taking back the senate.

[incapsulated]

43. I doubt this very much

Hackett isn't so stupid as to blow up at the Senate Minority Leader before he is even elected to any office himself. He's going to need the support of the Party. Paul is a lawyer, this isn't a stupid man.

But this does sound like a right-wing attempt to "Dean" him, you know, Hackett the Crazyman who says anything.

[Cocoa]

44. no

no one can confirm this.

[WildEyedLiberal]

46. Congratulations, redstate.org!

Redstate.org would doubtless be pleased to know that their article has caused more stupid infighting (as if DU needs any more "reason", but I digress) among liberals! Pitting Hackett against party leadership - I gotta hand it to them, it's a pretty good ploy. And what's even worse - some of you took the bait!!!!

Hell, we don't even NEED an RNC! Liberals/"progressives"/leftists are good enough at destroying EACH OTHER, thankyouverymuch.

[blondeatlast]

47. "Welcome to RedState.org, a Republican community weblog. "

Directly from the homepage.

God I love seeing sanity in threads like this--thanks.

This is a freaking ADMITTED RW blog and we are stabbing each other over it.

[WildEyedLiberal]

48. Mindboggling, isn't it?

It burns my ass to no end when people start using fucking RW SOURCES to BASH DEMS! I remember about a week ago, we had a DU Bash Kerry day over an article from the Boston fucking Herald! Jesus! Why don't we just ask National Review for their opinion, while we're at it? The Weekly Standard, anyone?

Ugh. :puke: Nice to know that there are other DUers who don't want to play their fucking games.

[blondeatlast]

52. Note the OP was 11:30 AM and no "Stopthief" in sight, either. nt

[WildEyedLiberal]

53. Curiouser and curiouser.... nt

[OzarkDem]

55. A reality check for you

Whether the right wing web site was spreading rumors about a meeting between Reid and Hackett is just one issue.

Buried in the thread is also a separate issue - the fact that Dem leaders at the national level have asked Cong. Sherrod Brown to run against Hackett for DeWine's Ohio senate seat.

If you read both Hackett's quote about running and Brown's also, it appears Reid is either telling different stories to the candidates or someone else is fudging on the truth.

Its an important fact, though it appears you may not think so, its still important to the rest of us.

[blondeatlast]

57. I know when I'm being played.

As presented, I call it strictly rumor--and I'm far more concerned that the OP posted this BS early in the day and never returned to comment on it at all.

Edit: I enthusiastically support Hackett, btw. But no one plays me without being called on it.

[democracyindanger]

50. applause nt

[blondeatlast]

49. "Caution: This is a conservative blogsite, but ..."

everything here will make the LW stab each other, so let's post it at DU!

BULLSHIT.

[StopThief]

62. I'm here.

Some of us work for a living and have a homelife.

Have you been designated "official trollcatcher"? LOL

Thought the post was interesting, and now with Brown seemingly jumping in, think it is more so. BTW. . .you might want to spend some time at RedState yourself and watch the right implode over the Supreme Court nomination. . .It's pretty amusing.

[blondeatlast]

51. OP? OP? Where aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare yoooooou? nt

[MrBenchley]

56. Conservative bullshit....

You might recall that in 2000, there were stories pretty much every day that "Democrats didn't really want Gore"...

[blondeatlast]

58. Exactly. And 2004, it was Dean (or Kucinich, or...)

As I mention upthread, I know when I'm being played, and I'll call anyone who tries on it.

[MrBenchley]

60. To be fair...

I don't think Dennis stood much of a chance...

But yeah, we're being played. And it's disturbing how many people are shouting "Yippee! There's discord in our party!"

Meanwhile, you might have noticed that Hackett publcily credited Harry with giving him the courage to run for Senate.

[newspeak]

63. I could care less

I've donated to Bernie Sanders and I will definitely donate to Paul Hackett!!!!! I don't live in Ohio, but I'll support anyone who has an ounce of a backbone and at least thinks about the well being of the majority of the American people over their corporate friend's wallets!!!