Reply #66: If...

[oustudent101]

If Paul Hackett had had the fundraising ability to raise the money, he would have stayed in the race for U.S. Senate.

If Paul Hackett had increased his name recognition and persuaded more voters to support his candidacy, he would have stayed in the race for the U.S. Senate.

Not even one week before he ended his race for the U.S. Senate, he opened an office in Columbus.

Not even one week before he ended his race for the U.S. Senate, he publicly stated he had the funds to cover his overhead costs and could compete financially with Sherrod Brown.

SO WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT MADE PAUL HACKETT DROP OUT OF OHIO'S DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATORIAL PRIMARY?

Was it that his donors, after being persuaded by Sherrod Brown supporters decided to support Sherrod Brown over Paul Hackett? Likely, yes.

Should anyone be mad about this? Absolutely not.

Why not? Because Randi Rhodes did the same thing for Paul Hackett, endorsing his candidacy, encouring her listeners nationwide to support Paul Hackett over Sherrod Brown.

Did Sherrod Brown supporters cry and whine about Randi Rhodes being unfair, dabbling in Ohio's primary? Not at all.


Was it his poll, which stated that he had made barely even a dent in winning over Sherrod Brown supporters or undecideds? Likely, yes, that's why he dropped out.

Should anyone be mad about this? Absolutely not.

Why not? Because if your message is not receptive to the general audience - or if you think you cannot get this message out to change opinion, common sense says get outta the race!

Did Sherrod Brown supporters cry and whine about how Hackett gained 8 points in the polls? Not at all - they backed Sherrod Brown with their heart and soul.


But, wait, wasn't it that Paul Hackett was "swiftboated" by everyone in the democratic party leadership, in Columbus and Washington DC? No, but will we know if there is any truth to the allegations made against Paul Hackett unless these "photos" come out in to the public? If these rumors are untrue, let it be known. If they are true, then...

The reason why Paul Hackett opened his office and a week later quit the U.S. Senate race...

The reason why Paul Hackett hired 30+ staffers and a month later quit the U.S. Senate race...

The reason why Paul Hackett decided he would forever be out of politics after quitting the U.S. Senate race...

Is because there is something in his past that he feels would hurt his chances or credibility running for elected office.


I am not insinuating that Paul Hackett ever created a war crime. I am proposing however that you don't leave the U.S. Senate race two days before the filing deadline because you might not have the money or your might not have the greatest polling - you don't leave the U.S. Senate race accusing democratic leadership of cutting off your fundraising legs and backing the frontrunning - you don't leave the U.S. Senate race in these ways (a good offense is a good defense) unless something is really, really, really wrong.

Maybe something was really wrong, maybe there are truths to these rumors or maybe there are not. Until this is cleared up, however, we should not assume that Paul Hackett or Chuck Schumer is telling us the truth. We should not assume that anyone was swiftboated.

And one more thing - John Kerry was swiftboated and he fought back. He fought back to clear his good name. He fought back because the Republican Machine was tearing his record to pieces with lies. Paul Hackett didn't fight back, he quit. That doesn't sound like much of a push back to any pertinent accusations.