I've been offline for about 3 days, but

[rockymountaindem]

looking at GD and GDP tonight it seems that we have no chance to win anything in 2006. Glad I'm up to date.

The bipolar attitude of DU is the only predictable thing around here.

[JI7]

1. anyone know what is going on with the Hackett Brown thing ?

seems Hackett went on Chris Matthews and accused Brown of "swiftboating" him. but there doesn't seem to be any proof of it.

[saracat]

2. I think Hacketts word is enough. Plus what Reid and Schumer did was a

disgrace. They asked him to run and then cut off his donors when Brown reconsidered. I think we must support Brown now as there is no choice but this stinks.Reid and Schumer do admit that they asked Hackett to both step up and step down, and they do admit Reid had Hackett explain some Iraq pix that were insinuated to look like so called abuse. Apparently the explanation was valid but that was the "swiftboating' . This is sickening, and I am sorry to see it. I don't for one minute believe Brown's chances are better than Hackett's. They play these same disgusting games in Az and it never helps us win.

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Even though there isn't any proof

It's all he said vs he said crap.

[Mass]

7. I would support Brown happily if I lived in Ohio.

I have a huge problem with Hackett going around and throwing shit. I have no clue if he was swiftboated and by whom, but by now, I have heard him say everything about this and he cannot be consistent, but the guy has been branded a hero by the netroot (not speaking about his military career here, I am speaking about his political career).

I really dislike Reid, but I cant accept what Hackett is doing right now. He still cannot give anything like a proof that it was Brown's supporters swiftboating him and I dont have to trust him more than I have to trust Brown. This is sickening, but I am not sure for whom and by now, I had enough.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. LOL I know

[ProSense]

5. Where are all the people

who were bashing the Dems? Frankly, I think these people want the Dems to lose.

Hackett is a distraction. The Republicans are in serious trouble. If the Dems did nothing but point fingers at the Republicans for the next seven months, they would win. That's how badly Bush has effed up, screwed up the country and how badly the scandals have hurt the Republicans. Instead, all one hears is this bitching about stupid shit.

[rockymountaindem]

6. I don't think these types have any party loyalty

They only want their fair-haired candidate, or nothing else. Nevermind the fact that Hackett expressed some rather RW views on immigration. They would rather be confrontational than win. All they care about is their one pet issue, and all they see is a candidate's personality. I just don't get those who value style over substance. Sherrod Brown is, by all accounts, a progressive dream candidate. But these people won't have anything to do with him, or will believe the worst about him and the party because of this.

I think in the future I'll just ask them if they're rooting for DeWine out of spite. That'll piss 'em off.

[saracat]

11. Hacketts views on immigration were not right wing. That is NOT fair.

And a "progressive" so called, is unlikely to win in Ohio. This isn't about who the Dems think in marvelous. It is about who could get elected in Ohio. I don't believe the worst of Brown, but I do believe he broke his word. I don't happen to like that in a candidate.

[Mass]

8. Another issue with Hackett

This former Republican and Perot's supporter is ready to help Republicans beat Democrats. His problem, but I cant support that.

http://upper-left.blogspot.com/

Not retired from politics, exactly…

NEW YORK – Citing the need to help other candidates in the same situation he was in, former candidate for the US Senate Seat in Ohio and Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett is announcing his decision to join Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC) today, as a member of the group's Board of Advisors.

IAVA is apparently what's become of Operation Truth, an early vehicle for vets of Iraq and Afghanistan wars to express dissent from Bushco™ policies. It takes a bit of poking to track down the names of the OpTruth principles in their various roles at IAVA and it's associated PAC, but it doesn't take long at all to stumble across Wes Clark's winning smile. With the General so prominently featured and Hackett climbing aboard, this sounds a bit like a alternative to Veterans for a Secure America, better known as the Band Of Brothers. Not quite so.

While the Band Of Brothers clearly understands that Republican control of Congress is as much of the problem as Republican control of the White House, IAVA PAC expicitly disagrees (emphasis in original)…

IAVA PAC will not consider party affiliation in the endorsement process.

In fact, while they've yet to actually endorse a candidate, they have a short list that includes…

...Van Taylor, a Texas Republican who is running for the seat held by Democratic incumbent Rep. Chet Edwards.

Kind of begs the question - how much money are Wes Clark and Paul Hackett helping to raise to toss Democrats out of the Congress. Here's some advice the Advisory Board might offer - Democrats only, please.

Without prefix. Without suffix. Without apology.

[karynnj]

9. That's crazy - so people give money JUST because

they are veterans? Thanks for the interesting article.

[ProSense]

10. Doesn't Wes Clark

consistently say he's working to get Democrats elected? What the hell is going on?

This should be posted in GD-P.