Here's some GOOD news!

[whometense]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/510040364

Hackett aims for Senate
Democrat will challenge DeWine in 2006 election

WASHINGTON - Paul Hackett, the Iraq War veteran who was hailed by national Democrats for his narrow loss this summer in a heavily Republican House district, will challenge Sen. Mike DeWine 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 against Rep. Jean Schmidt.

Hackett is planning to officially announce his decision Oct. 24 in his hometown of Cincinnati, then begin a bus tour through Ohio, Woodruff said Monday.

Hackett wasn't immediately available for comment. He was flying back from Washington on Monday after meeting with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who gave Hackett the confidence to run, Woodruff said.

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

Nice work, Harry!

[TayTay]

1. I like Hackett and donated to him last time, but

I worry about him. He is a fairly conservative Democrat and holds conservative fiscal views. I wonder, if he gets elected, how long it will be before someone calls him a DINO.

That said, we need all the Dems we can get and I will support him.

[whometense]

2. He's too conservative for me too.

But it seems like he might have a good chance to win. I'm happy to see Harry's out there encouraging potential candidates.

[Mass]

3. I got the same impression too.

May be this has something to do with the fact we have two outstanding Senators and a bunch of great representatives as well.

But I hope he wins because we will need all the Democrats we can find.

[rox63]

9. Even though he's a conservative Dem

He's bound to be 10 times better than any of the rethugs out there. Plus, he's got that refreshing honesty thing happening. Of course, a few years in govt will probably wear that down.

[Mass]

10. No question about that - I think he has a strong chance of winning

DeWine seems to be really afraid by the veteran image. This afternoon, he spent half an hour eulogizing dead Ohio soldiers, many of them killed several months ago.

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. What cracks me the hell up....

... is how many DUers were proclaiming that we need more PROGRESSIVE ANTI-DLC TYPES like Hackett to run in every state, and then we'll win.

Er, I like Hackett, but he's not exactly Wellstone's ideological soulmate. Not that, y'know, FACTS intrude on the opinions of DUers too often...

[whometense]

7. Facts are stubborn things. n/t

[jillan]

4. This is great news!

Having an Iraqi Vet in the Senate is exactly what is needed these days.
He can provide some much needed info, and honesty, that might enlighten some of the elected piggies that have their priorities all screwed up.

The guy that is running in Az for Senate is a very, very moderate Dem.
Who cares?! He believes in the democratic philosophy and that is a helluva alot better than what Az contributes right now.

[paulk]

5. I suppose so...

it's going to take a conservative Dem to win that state, anyway.

The thing that bothers me about Hackett is he has no experience in government (as far as I know). That's a big jump - to go from nowhere to joining that club of 100... I think experience in government is important.

Of course, the counter to that argument is that Paul Wellstone didn't have experience either... on the other hand he was a poly-sci professor for 20 years...


Can we afford a learning curve in this day and age? That was one of my main talking points when I was trying to talk 2 of my co-workers out of voting for Bush in 2000 - that in today's dangerous world, with the threat of terrorism and all, we couldn't afford to put a guy in who would have to learn on the job...

talk about prescient...

[whometense]

8. You make excellent points.

But Kerry came out for Hackett in the last race. Let's hope Hackett has the wisdom to pick his mentors well (ahem). At this point, we just need winners. I don't see that we have the luxury of quibbling with a strong democratic candidate.

[Mass]

11. The situation seems very confused

politicalwire.com says that Sherrod Brown is running too.
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.

[TayTay]

12. Let them fight it out in the primary.

Someone may drop by then, it depends on the fundraising and such. Hackett has some good relations with the netroots and raised a great deal of money in his last race for a newbie. (And the DCCC didn't even jump in to help until late in the race.)

Nothing against Sherrod Brown, but I would support Hackett. He wants it more and I just flatout like the guy. I hope he gets some serious promises from the DSCC for money and ground support.

[sandnsea]

13. Just read his web site

He's kind of milktoast, don't think we need more of that. I wouldn't think it would appeal to Ohioans either, they seem a tougher breed. But I don't know. Unless somebody can tell me different, I think Hackett too.