Complex mix behind Hackett's withdrawal,was ill at ease with process

[Algorem]

Political newcomer ill at ease with process

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/114025579369310.xml&coll=2

Saturday, February 18, 2006
Elizabeth Auster
Plain Dealer Bureau
Washington

...Interviews with people familiar with his campaign suggest that Hackett's team was struggling not only with outside pressures from Democrats eager to avoid a primary, but also from internal tensions stemming partly from Hackett's personality and his newness to the grueling pressures of running a hotly contested, high-profile Senate race...

While most candidates share that feeling, people familiar with Hackett's campaign say he was especially resistant to efforts by aides to get him to use one of the most efficient but unpleasant fund raising techniques: sitting at the phone for hours, calling friends, relatives, and strangers to ask for money. Tension over the problem led in January to the departure of his finance director.

Hackett, who prized his independent streak and proudly called it a family trait - he voted twice for Ross Perot for president and championed gun rights as well as gay rights - also chafed at having his schedule set by aides. On the weekend before he bowed out, aides say, he stunned his staff by refusing at the last minute to attend certain events - including appearances at several black churches - that had apparently been put on his schedule over his objections...


He referred a reporter to Clermont County Democratic chairman David Lane, who said Friday that he has "seen no proof that a Democrat" was behind the rumors...

[saracat]

1. And appareantly Hackett was right NOT to trust the operatives. It sounds

like some of his own stff stabbed him in the back which is why he didn't ell them of his decision to withdraw. And as far as the more experienced being "better " at this, really? They just played quid pro quo and were using Hackett . I am even madder reading this.It is obvious now that a smear is being done to justify the DSCC actions. This is reprehensible.

[Algorem]

2. no,they just don't want to be blamed for his ultra-shitty performance and

paranoiac rantings. they'd sorta like to be able to work again.



PEROT/HACKETT '08!

[saracat]

3. Ah, Yes, the good old boy system at work.

Paranoic ravings, or truth telling? It is about time someone told the truth. If more Dems had the guts of Hackett we wouldn't be in this mess. And maybe those operatives shouldn't be able to work again. Seems to me the operatives have been costin us elections. maybe truth tellers should run and the people should decide. What a concept!

[ruggerson]

7. Absolutely agreed

And I find the people smearing Hackett to be repulsive.

[gulliver]

4. Voted for Perot twice. 'Nuff said.

I knew Hackett reminded me of someone, someone who came on strong and fiery but fizzled out. I loved H. Ross Perot at first. He was fearless, outspoken, seemed to care about the little guy, etc. But then he flamed out and quit the race, astonishing the people (like me) who had signed petitions to get him on the ballot.

I don't know how anyone could vote for Perot twice. I understand '92. I can't fathom '96. Then the nutso little bastard got gutted on CNN by Gore and endorsed Junior in 2000.

[Kolesar]

5. Do you mean the NAFTA debate?

Ironic is that the best administration we have had in decades set us up for job losses and a loss of sovereignty. We need a "tossin' and turnin'" smilie

[gulliver]

6. Yes. Gore brought in a picture of someone and handed it ...

... to Perot (Smoot or Hawley or both were in the picture, IIRC). And Perot was trying to do his "giant sucking sound" schtick, but he got flustered and angry. I think that's where he said the iconic lines later immortalized by Dana Carvey: "Can ah finish? Can ah finish?"

I don't know enough about NAFTA to know whether it set us up for job losses and a loss of sovereignty as you say. The economy seemed to be working well under Clinton, but I am not in manufacturing.

I do agree we need a "tossin' and turnin'" smilie. I would also like a "laugh 'til you cry" smilie while we're at it.

[madfloridian]

8. Don't forget where Hackett got a lot of his staff....link.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/10/firing_back.html

"Brown and Hackett are improbable adversaries. Brown helped Hackett in his Congressional run this summer by loaning him staff and contributing money. Had Brown not initially bowed out of the Senate race this summer, Hackett almost certainly would not have run for the seat."

[ruggerson]

9. I would also bet

that the DCCC sent staff in to help him. And God knows whether mid-course they were then instructed to sabotoge him when the powers that be decided to try to kill his campaign.

[madfloridian]

10. Damage control out in full force...

These attacks on Hackett are making a lot of folks angrier.

[Algorem]

11. paranoiacs out in full force

http://www.popdrain.com/videos/cheneyhuntgame.swf

[madfloridian]

13. I love being called paranoid. Makes me all full of kind thoughts.

As one person said to me after they said I was paranoid, they said no, we just said you were acting that way...they thought it was funny.

Kind thoughts always appreciated.

[DancingBear]

14. Yes they are

And I love the article used to re-enforce the attacks.

"Aides say", "supporters say," etc.

I'm just sittin' and a-waitin' for the "sources well placed in the Hackett camp say."

Although, I must say I consider the DU "source" for many of these threads, and act accordingly.

Interesting to note that many profiles are disabled...

Curious.

[robbedvoter]

12. deja vu all over again. Clark campaign - operatives vs grassroots

reading articles in the New Republic about these operatives who were telling reporters they had no idea why the man was running...And an entire draft movement out there was shut out of the public discourse...
I am beyond disgusted and depressed about the entire story.