I wonder what DC leaders were saying about Hackett last fall...hmmmmm

[ISUGRADIA]

The whole article is a great read, especially Strickland's comments since he urged Brown to reconsider running about a month later.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/090706.html

Democrats lobby Hackett
9-7-05

Democratic leaders in Washington are aggressively courting Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett to challenge Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) next year.

Democratic National Committee leaders were expected to meet with Hackett yesterday in Washington. So, too, was Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), has called Hackett more than once in the past few weeks to sound him out about a run in 2006.
...

What makes Hackett so attractive, Democrats say, is his strong fundraising potential — Schulman said he garnered nearly $900,000 for the abbreviated special election — his colorful story and his willingness to speak his mind, like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
...
“If I were the person, I would want a commitment for support that would be lasting and not be based upon the political conditions that may exist at any given time throughout the campaign,” Strickland said. “I would want staying power on the part of the Senate committee.”