Paul Hackett vs. Sherrod Brown

[JohnnyCougar]

Poll question: Paul Hackett vs. Sherrod Brown

[Oversea Visitor]

1. OK recommend for greatest so all can vote hey

:evil grin:

[Tesla]

2. I think the Dems need NEW BLOOD!!

We need fresh faces and people willing to buck the system!!!

[Jon8503]

3. Agree, vote #5 for the page. N/T

[Kolesar]

4. Brown: spoke at every antiwar rally. Hackett: we have to "finish the job"

Sherrod Brown spoke at every antiwar rally in Cleveland.
Paul Hackett said during his campaign that we have to "finish the job" in Iraq and we cannot just withdraw.

[wakeme2008]

6. But Brown is a coward IMHO

Before Phamegate, and DSM and the two canes, he was afraid to try for the Senate seat. He just wanted to stay in his nice safe House seat.

Now things have change for * and the Repugs and he changes his mind.

We need new Dems with backbones.

[Ninga]

7. Brown is ANYTHING but a COWARD. He is smack in the middle

of a district that is 10 to 1 GOP. He has had to run for re-election EVEY TWO YEARS, and has NOT given one inch on the values I believe in.

OHIO HAS BEEN A RED STATE FOR OVER 14 YEARS.

Brown has taken bus loads of seniors to Canada time and time again to illustrate the plight of those on a fixed income who are struggling to get their meds.

He is a staunch supporter of gun laws, freedom of choice and supports unions.

HE HAS PR OVEN HE CAN WIN WITHOUT MOVING TO THE MIDDLE....GOOD GRIEF, GIVE THE GUY SOME SLACK.

[ISUGRADIA]

48. Let's not exagerate here. His district is not 10-1 GOP

If it was he'd be out of office. In fact, that's a pretty relable Dem district.

He won with 67% in 2004 and Kerry did very well in the same district

[OzarkDem]

8. That's just silly

Brown is one of the few Dems who have consistently stood up in Congress and loudly opposed the Bushco policies, including the war in Iraq. He's done so from the very beginning.

When it comes to Ohio, you have to remember that Ohio R's have been using the state as part a huge campaign money laundering machine for the last several years. Its been impossible for any Dem to raise enough money to run a statewide race. I would much rather have seen Sherrod not run for statewide office and risk losing his house seat when the corrupt Repug machine in Ohio would have made a win nearly impossible.

[Ninga]

9. Ohio deserves to have Brown in the Senate, we need him in fact.

Ohio is drowning in incompetence at every level.

I offer this suggestion.....perhaps Paul Hackett could move back to the district he was born in and run for Congress, ousting slimy Steve LaTourette.

[OzarkDem]

10. Sounds like a very good idea n/t

[Robeysays]

55. thats what he should do.

[wiley]

66. I like them both

I agree, if Hackett is willing.

[wakeme2008]

31. Why did he wait and change his mind

only after Phamegate and the canes made the Repugs and Bush look bad.

Coward is the only thing I can see.

[Cocoa]

14. did you see the "coward" take on Colin Powell?

in the House International Relations Committee hearing last year?

[IndianaGreen]

17. What kind of twisted logic is that you are using?

If you want Dems with backbones, you need to look no further than Sherrod Brown.

[wakeme2008]

30. why did he say NO to the Senate before

Phamegate and the canes.

[liam_laddie]

79. Brown's start-stop-start

Heard from a well-connected source...Brown had wanted to run for Senate before mid/late 2004, but was asked not to by a new, very close family member. He bowed to this person's wishes...who wanted a less hectic life than a year on the stump. Then Paul does well in CD2, DeWine's ratings tank, and Brown figures maybe he can talk his family member into agreeing to his running. That happened and he's in. I agree it was practically
a double-cross, especially by DLC types...Schumer, Reid et al.
Personally, I think Brown has the chops to be an excellent
Senator; while the sheer enthusiasm for Hackett might be better
directed to another race, perhaps a state office. God (oops!) knows...we need good Dems in OH state government!
The locals seem to think that Tom Niehaus, currently an Ohio
state senator, will run against Rep. Schmidt in a primary and could easily beat any Democrat, should he be the 2006 CD2
rethug candidate. That's if the vote is counted honestly...

[wakeme2008]

81. You just proved Brown is a coward

"Then Paul does well in CD2, DeWine's ratings tank"

[Cocoa]

91. you are repeatedly calling him a coward

and now you are posting pictures of flip flops, which was the most lame tactic the freepers used against John Kerry?

Your mode of argument is repulsive, and you know nothing about Sherrod Brown.

[wakeme2008]

92. I know he is a coward and a flip flopper

he needs to get out of the senate race and allow a Dem with a backbone run.

[Cocoa]

93. all you know about Brown is that he changed his mind about running

your repulsive namecalling is making all Hackett supporters look bad, and I consider myself a Hackett supporter (though not in this race).

[liam_laddie]

96. a troll?

wakeme2008 - where'd you get those anti-Kerry flop-flops?
I'm suspicious of your intentions on this thread. 'Nuff said...

[Tom Joad]

47. Hackett, for a better managed imperialism.

Those politicians who say they were against it but now have to "finish the job" sound like fools or worse.

This is a crime. Hackett does not seem to get it.

AMY GOODMAN: So, you would return to fight a war that you think is unjust?

PAUL HACKETT: Well, I've not said it's unjust. I have said that it's been mismanaged by the administration. I have said it was a poor use of our military. I'm not quite sure the implication of the label of unjust, so I'm uncomfortable using that.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/03/1419256

Mismanaged!!??? I don't want a better managed imperialist war.

[IndianaGreen]

56. Hackett is amoral when it comes to the war in Iraq

He just wants to win the war without ever asking whether the war should have been fought in the first place.

There is a whiff of DLC in the air...

[Hippo_Tron]

71. I think he's clearly stated that he was against the war from the start

[Kolesar]

76. I recall Paul Hackett being opposed to it from the start

...but he stated that we have to establish a stable government there. That was during the campaign. He may run on a different position now (!). How he would finesse that word play, I just don't know.

His position was "stay the course", but I did give his campaign $50 last summer.

[Hippo_Tron]

78. That's fair enough

But I think that IndianaGreen was implying that Paul Hackett initially supported going into Iraq, which is not the case.

[MaineDem]

5. I'm not from Ohio

And I haven't researched each of them to be able to develop an informed opinion. So I didn't vote.

[Rowdyboy]

11. Interesting that 2 of 3 Ohioans who posted to this thread support Brown

Could it be they actually know something about Brown's record and his desire to get out of Iraq instead of "finishing the job"? It doesn't really matter what the rest of DU thinks, the Ohioans actually get to vote.

[Cocoa]

12. some people have no idea who Brown is

all they know is he's getting in the way of their war hero Hackett.

Brown in general is not well-known, there was a thread once where people were referring to Brown as "she."

[IndianaGreen]

16. Brown has a proven progressive record

According to David Sirota, whose article I posted elsewhere on this thread, Hackett is one of those "complete the mission" guys and he has not called for a total and immediate US withdrawal from Iraq.

[we can do it]

27. I'm from Ohio and in Brown's district

He's a good man - actually answers his mail, he's got my vote. I thimk there is more to being qualified than having been to Iraq. Hackett is too conservative on other issues for me.

[formernaderite]

28. hackett also ran ads with Bush....

which was slightly distorted considering his actual views. I'm tired of dems hiding in front of the big "D" hoping no one will notice. Hackett is slick...but after my initial political swooning, I'm distrustful.

[Rowdyboy]

36. Its good to hear confirmation from people in Ohio, especially those

who have lived in Brown's district. I was impressed with Hackett's run and whichever of the two wins the primary, I'll make a small donation.

[rucky]

38. they're just from Northern OH.

Brown will not play well in my neighborhood, unfortunately.

[Hippo_Tron]

73. Not an Ohioan, but I understand that Brown has a progressive record...

At the same time I can't get over the fact that he changed his mind and basically screwed Hackett over.

June: Congressman Brown are you running for US Senate?

Brown: Let me think about it

July: Congressman Brown are you running for US Senate?

Brown: Let me think about it some more

August: Congressman Brown are you running for US Senate?

Brown: No I will not be running for US Senate.

September: Congressman Brown are you SURE that you aren't running for US Senate?

Brown: I'm absolutely 100% sure.

October: Mr. Hackett will you run for US Senate?

Hackett: Yes after talking with my family and members of the party I have finally made the decission that this is the right move.

Brown: Oh by the way, I changed my mind I'm running too.

Brown had MONTHS to change his mind about this Senate bid. It was only AFTER Paul Hackett had been recruited and his campaign was about ready to kick off (he had bought the bus and everything) that Brown changed his mind and decided to run. I think that both are decent men, but I can't reward Brown for basically screwing over a fellow Democrat. BTW, for those who ask why I think Hackett is so entitled to the seat, I pose the same question to the Brown fans. Some people seem to think that because Brown has more experience that Hackett should just bow out. Sorry, but who died and made him god?

[Catchawave]

13. Mother Jones Hackett cover story this issue

http://www.motherjones.com/toc/2005/11/index.html

By David Goodman
How does a liberal Iraq-war veteran almost get elected congressman from conservative Ohio? If he’s Paul Hackett, by speaking his mind, and not backing down. Democrats are taking notes.

Photo of cover at link.

[IndianaGreen]

15. Sirota: "Hackett never supported withdrawing troops."

Here is David Sirota's fine article about the current problems in the Left, among them the current flap in the Hacket v. Brown race.

Published on Monday, October 17, 2005 by In These Times
Partisan Way Syndrome: The Left Falls Victim to a Debilitating Affliction
by David Sirota

What's troubling is that this kind of delirium is most commonly found on the Internet blogs, supposedly the progressive ideological bastion, but increasingly a place only of traditional partisan prioritization. Case in point was the recent brouhaha over Ohio's upcoming 2006 U.S. Senate race. Iraq War veteran Paul Hackett, who had recently lost a high-profile House race, decided to run for the Senate after Rep. Sherrod Brown earlier said he would not. Brown, however, reversed himself just as Hackett was preparing to announce his intention to run.

The situation was inarguably awkward. But what followed was illustrative of the delirium plaguing the progressive base.

Within hours of Brown's announcement, "progressive" Internet blogs lit up with intense criticism of Brown. And let's be clear - Brown's move was tactically clumsy. But the attacks went well beyond criticism of his decision to be a candidate to the core of who he is, showing that the supposedly "ideological" base is, in part, anything but. In many parts of the base, there is no ideology at all.

How does the Brown-Hackett controversy show us this? Because nobody - not even the critics - disputes that Brown has been one of the most effective, successful, team playing, outspoken and articulate heroes for the progressive ideological movement in Congress for more than a decade, while Hackett has no voting record on any issue at all. Even on his signature issue, Iraq, Hackett never supported withdrawing troops. An activist base motivated by ideology would have rejoiced that one of their ideological brethren, Brown, was running for higher office, especially against someone with so little record. Remember the 2002 Pennsylvania Republican primary? The right-wing's ideological base cheered when archconservative Pat Toomey decided to challenge moderate Sen. Arlen Specter.

Instead, parts of the progressive base did the opposite, attacking the ideological champion; calling him "untrustworthy" for his tactical decision despite his years of steadfast trustworthiness casting the tough progressive votes; and venerating the other candidate with no ideology or voting record to speak of but whose "profile" they liked. Even Mother Jones magazine published an article on its Web site lamenting the fact that Brown's candidacy meant Democrats were supposedly "shooting down" Hackett. The magazine, one of the supposed progressive ideological lions, then pumped up Hackett attacking Brown as a "very liberal Democrat" - as if its base readership should think that was a strike against him.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1017-24.htm

[rucky]

24. about that "feud": Brown sponsors a site that supports Hackett:

http://www.growohio.org/

Check it out! as I said, a win-win situation and sure fire way to beat DeWine.

[welshTerrier2]

26. scary, IG !!

:scared:

check this out: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2164510#2164561

[mopinko]

18. where was brown in november?

i admit, i know nothing about brown. but the election was stolen in his state. where was he? what did he do?
he sounds like a fine guy, but i do not like back room deals. i say let them fight it out in the primary. this fear of primary battles that we all have is a cancer on democracy.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Like you said, you know nothing about Brown.

I didn't know anything about him either, but I deferred to the judgment of DUers from Ohio that are familiar with his record, and I have been reading about him. Brown is a legitimate progressive that has been there all along. Hackett doesn't even support withdrawing the troops, he is one of the "finish the mission" types.

[mopinko]

20. well, i would like an answer to my question

or is it now considered impertinent to ask questions around here?

[IndianaGreen]

21. The Greens were the ones to challenge the Ohio results

Kerry & Co joined them belatedly, and then only because they had to do something about Ohio even if it was only cosmetic.

[mopinko]

32. well, apparently you don't know much about brown either

or you would have answered my question. why are you replying to my posts if you cannot answer the question?

[iconoclastNYC]

58. Nobodies obligated to answer your questions.

Especially when they are juvenile.

Let me know when you find a candidate running for Senate who is championing the vote fraud story, ok? Good luck.

[mopinko]

62. it wasn't meant to be snotty

if people want to take it that way, they can.
it is a question that i want an answer to from every incumbent dem that wants my support. i am not very happy with hackett on this score.
to some of us, there is no more important issue, and press releases don't cut any mustard. the few who really did something, like tubbs-jones, conyers, etc. get my all. those who wimped out can take a hike.

[OzarkDem]

43. He worked with Conyers, Tubbs Jones and others

to highlight the problems with the vote in Ohio. A lot of the arguments that Conyers and STJ made about election irregularities were supported by background information that Sherrod provided from his experience as former Secy of State of Ohio.

He also worked hard to publicize it. That's why he started the Grow Ohio web site and began backing the Reform Ohio Now (RON) campaign. He knows first hand how R's have gerrymandered Ohio and rigged the electoral process and he's made a big effort to stop it.

[mopinko]

63. thank you for answering my question

this makes him an all-star. hackett was not in office, but his doormat stance on his own election was very disappointing. i could support him for his nerve, and his experience. but he needs more than tough words.
i hope there is a good clean primary fight. it can only help to have both of them in the public eye.

[curt_b]

22. Another Ohioan checking in

I admit I know very little about Paul Hackett, but Sherrod Brown is incredibly progressive in word, deed and vote. If you can spare some time and want to read an excellent book on US Trade policy read his "Myths of Free Trade". Currently, he is a major player in the Reform Ohio Now movement for ballot initiatives this Nov. for election reform.
Hackett may well be a better candidate, but Brown is one of the good guys.

[Rowdyboy]

37. Welcome to DU! Its especially nice to hear from Ohioans...Your opinions

are the only ones that matter in this instance.

[rucky]

23. It's a Win-Win battle royale for Ohio!

but being in SW Ohio, my money's on Hackett for beating DeWine, even though I think Brown would make a better Senator.

[existentialist]

25. I guess I've read enough to know

that I would strongly support either Hackett of Brown against DeWine.

Perhaps a healthy primary fought on the issues without mudslinging can provide a good forum for bringing the issues into the public mind.


Maybe a primary contest can be a good thing.

[Fly by night]

29. Brown for Senate; Hackett for OH-2 House seat

Under this scenario, Hackett would get a chance to discuss the election fraud that occurred in the OH-2 special election -- something that he has avoided completely, despite the efforts of many DUers to wake him the fuck up.

[DinahMoeHum]

39. Heck, why not go for the "Blue Trifecta"?

Strickland for Governor.
Brown for Senator.
Hackett for Congress.

:kick::kick::kick:

[garybeck]

33. this is not a way to judge, but I don't like Brown's smile

this is not a happy time. this is serious business. people are dying. it is sooooo important to take back the senate, it is probably the most important midterm election of our lifetime. if they take back the senate, bush could be impeached. I don't want smiles. I want someone that's pissed off, like most other americans I know.

[cmd]

34. Another Ohioan for Brown

I back up every word Brown supporters have said about him. He is the Real Deal. I admire Paul Hackett, but am supporting Sherrod Brown because of his record, his fire and determination and his progressive agenda.

[second edition]

35. Brown is the better candidate for this Senate seat.

Hackett is just not ready for "prime time" yet. He is to rough around the edges and will come off as to abrasive. This will not play well and he will not be able to accomplish anything. Now, I'm not saying I don't like Hackett, I'm just saying he is a better fit in the House.

[Armstead]

40. I'm an Ohio outsider but on their merits -- Brown

His policies and positions would be close to those of Paul Wellstone.

He's not as charasmatic and unique as Wellstone, but he basically stands for tyhe same principles of progressive/liberal reform in a positive but strong and honest way.

Hackett is fun to listen to. But that's not what we need in the Semate right now.

[Dawgs]

41. I voted for Hackett, but not because I think he would be

better than Brown. I voted for Hackett because everyone that follows politics knows this man. It might actually get a young, ambitious, democrat some national media attention.

[paulk]

42. Hackett leads by 3-1 margin - a fascinating comment on DU

a site for "progressive" Democrats...

LOL!


Brown is a progressive's progressive...

[jonnyblitz]

44. no kidding!!

:crazy:

[mattclearing]

45. But Hackett hated on Bush better.

That's like saying DU should have supported Kucinich over Dean.

Dean was the much more adept Bush hater.

There are a lot of people here that are more interested in hating Bush than in pushing progressive policies.

Disclosure: I supported Dean over Kucinich, but mainly because Dean proved he could govern.

[JohnnyCougar]

80. I think it has more to do with shedding the Dem. party as the weak party

image.

It's not like Hackett is any more centrist than most of our Dem senators already. He's pro gun, but that's about it, as far as I know.

He's pro-choice, a supporter of gay rights, universal healthcare, and everything else.

And like it or not, Hackett comes off as a strong, tough man. There are a lot of people who will vote for someone simply on which character archetype they mentally categorize the candidate in. In rural America, the typical "tough guy" is the kind of person the majority of people respect the most.

It may have something to do with hating Bush, but I think your criticism is for the most part off the mark. People want the Democratic party to have a tough image too, and to have their politicians not come off as wishy-washy like many of them do. That's why they like Hackett.

IMHO, I think both candidates are great. I don't know much about Brown yet, either, but either Hackett or Brown will be a fine addition to the Senate. I just hope that whoever loses the primary will run against Voinovich in 2010. And if Hackett loses, I hope he gets OH-02 until then.

[Kolesar]

82. You have a fair point about "toughness", but what about Dewine?

He comes off like "the insurance salesman". I think that one thing that used to work for Bush was that people did not understand his positions, but they went with Bush because they believed that Bush did believe in his positions.

Bunch of sheep

[TheFarseer]

46. Keep in mind

few democrats from outside Ohio know much about Brown. We ALL saw that Hackett has what it takes to get the support of people who aren't traditionally democrats. I think the perception is that Brown does not have as good a chance to win as Hackett. Whether that is misguided or not, I cannot say.

[MADem]

49. Perhaps a more useful poll would have asked

I am from Ohio and I support Brown

I am from Ohio and I support Hackett

I am not from Ohio and I support Brown

I am not from Ohio and support Hackett

Might have given a better sense of what the picture on the ground was. All politics, per my hero Tip, is local...

[iconoclastNYC]

60. From Ohio or Live in Ohio?

I'm FROM OHIO (born/raised) but I live in NYC now ;)

[MADem]

67. I would say LIVE IN OHIO, actually

Because the only people who have any weight in the election are the ones who will cast votes, Diebold notwithstanding...!!!!

Good point!

[rucky]

52. We want to win. I'm in SW Ohio and I'll tell ya right now...

it's a miracle that folks around here are even thinking of voting Democrat. My informal Sidney Downtown Barbershop poll says Hackett by a nose, and Brown recieved a :wtf:

[paulk]

54. that's a reasonable argument

I'd counter with - 2006, what with the Bush admin. involved in so many scandals, may be the best chance Ohio has of electing a true, blue liberal like Brown.

It's a tough call - do you go with the conservative Democrat (who you don't really know that much about), but who has a real good chance of winning, or do you go with the liberal candidate who's chances of winning are questionable?

-------------

somehow I don't think that most voting in this poll are making those kinds of political calculations, though...

[iconoclastNYC]

61. They aren't that far apart in the polls.

And Brown's name ID is lower.

I'd say that Brown will do more for thie party then conservative Hackett. DeWine is toast. He pissed off his fundie base by being in the gang of 14. Either Brown or Hackett can beat him.

[Hippo_Tron]

74. Where is this "Hackett is a conservative" horseshit coming from?

I've heard him talk about issues, I've read his platform on the website. Nothing conservative about it. Is he AS progressive as Brown? No, I will give you that. But some people are making him out to be Ben Nelson or Zell Miller when CLEARLY that is not the case.

[IndianaGreen]

57. All you need is a military band and people will come out of the woodwork

The fact that many of those that adulate the military never served a day in uniform speaks volumes!

[sadiesworld]

102. Name recognition.

[Hippo_Tron]

50. Hackett now, Brown against Voinovich

Hackett's got one opportunity to get in on the game and that's 2006. If he waits any longer, the momentum will be gone and he will be out of the political scene forever. Brown should've challenged Vonovich in 2004 and he should still challenge him in 2010. BTW, I've gotta say, I think that perhaps of Brown had made a serious run against Vonovich in 2004, Kerry would've won Ohio. Or at least maybe it would've been outside the margin of fraud.

[rucky]

53. This makes the most sense...momentum and all. n/t

[Tiggeroshii]

51. So why do we have a "Brown" button.

Obviously the majority of DUer's don't support him, even if most do in Ohio. Even though, do the majority of Ohio DUer's support brown? maybe that should be a poll...

[IndianaGreen]

59. We should defer to our Ohio friends

They know that Brown has sterling progressive credentials.

While Hackett is light years ahead of any Republican, all he has are his medals and short sting in a city council.

[IntravenousDemilo]

64. Depends. Is it a cage match?

Anyway, the answer is "Ditka".

[goodhue]

65. Brown!

[Ikonoklast]

68. Sherrod Brown

My Congressman. Soon to be my Senator. Ask the man a question, and you will get an answer. A progressive and a leader when it comes to issues of fair trade vs. free trade, a very important one for Ohio as we are rapidly losing our manufacturing base, and our state economy is getting hammered. Not a political rookie that has yet to win an election. Not a showboater, doesn't pack heat when riding on his Harley.

Have any of you outside of my district (or state, for that matter)ever shook his hand and talked to him? I have.

Go with me to one of his district meetings. Those DU'ers that NEVER EVEN KNEW WHO HE WAS before all this would be impressed with what the man has to say. It seems strange how some posters here got all bent out of shape about him; did they even stop to look at his track record? Check his voting record. I bet 99% would be proud to have a Congressman like Brown to represent them, in either the House or Senate.

[IndyOp]

90. Is there a way we can have both? Could Brown keep his

seat in Congress if Hackett runs for Senator?

I don't know a lot about Brown, except for the fact that he is on our side when it comes to understanding election fraud.

The Ohio Election Story is Going to Come Back (August 1, 2005)

After attending this panel, and speaking to the congressmen involved in the preparation of the Conyers report (in particular Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a former Ohio secretary of state) I'm convinced that Ohio was a far more brazen and frightening subversion of democracy than Florida.

[YoungDemocrat]

69. Hackettman

I had the opportunity to help on Mjr. Hackett's campaign this summer and it was a great experience. During the campaign, Paul Hackett went from just another Democrat to one of my personal political heroes. He's straightforward, smart, and above all, funny. I should hope that any Democrats on this board within two states of Ohio will go out and help Mr. Hackett if he wins the primary. He'll beat DeWine and add a new element to the Washington scene.

[OhioBlue]

77. Welcome to DU YoungDemocrat

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[blue neen]

85. Wow. Welcome to DU!

I remember you! We were putting the signs on the cars outside of Hackett's headquarters before Schmidtt's so-called "rally."

It's great to see you expressing how you felt about that campaign, because I felt the same way. I would like to go to Ohio and work for Hackett again. We'll just have to see how things are going in PA...we also have a very important Senate race next year. Santorum has got to go. Maybe you can come to PA and help us out too!

DU'ers, YoungDemocrat worked his butt off for Hackett in July and August. I am very glad to know that he is the future of our party and our country.


:hi:

Here is a link for a post I made when I came home from working on the Hackett campaign. You are one of the people I was writing about.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1983799

[YoungDemocrat]

70. Haha

Someone posted a link the Mother Jones article. I'm in there, the 14-year kid.

[POAS]

72. Brown is my rep

He will be an excellent Senator.

If Hackett gets the nod he too will be an excellent Senator.

This, IMHO, is a win-win for Ohio and for Democrats.

Two outstanding candidates to begin turning Ohio blue.

I may get a t-shirt with both their names on it, that's how torn I am about who to support in the primary. If Hackett gets it at least I'll get to keep one of the best Rep.'s in the country.

[OhioBlue]

75. Hackett is my choice

I don't care at all for the way Brown went about his decision. It just has a slimy feel to it. IMO - Hackett would do much better in the general than Brown. BTW - yes, Brown is a progressive that has made me very proud when I've watched him on C-Span, my problem with him is the way he went about his decision. Going back and forth every time there is an election... is he going to run... isn't he... and then formally declaring that he would not run only to change his mind and declare that he would run.....

[Oversea Visitor]

83. Ok

Looks like Hackett is DU choice under a democratic voting process.
Does not means Brown is not good.

This simple poll might be indicative of how Democrats in Ohio will vote in the primary.

Need more people voting.

[Mend]

84. It's not my state but the Senate belongs to all of us...

I will be sending money to Hackett if he runs or not, if he doesn't. We need strong candidates willing to fight. Paul Hackett ran a great race in enemy territory and that excites my imagination for a new Democratic party.

[Awsi Dooger]

86. In a different state I would support Brown; in Ohio, it's Hackett

Our handicapping continues to be pathetic. The party, I'm talking about, obviously not DU as a whole. The DNC has got to stop pretending Ohio is the same as New York, or ousting an incumbent is the same as an open race.

The dynamics are dramatically different and you've got to adjust the handicap to match. It's like when an NFL team plays on Monday night, then travels the next week. You can't pretend that didn't happen and you're likely to get the same level of performance as if the team played a standard Sunday afternoon game the previous week. Do some basic research and apply common sense.

In an Ohio statewide race, the least progressive guy is who we should look for. Against an incumbent, it's always the guy with most pizazz, the atypical politician, who has the best shot to awaken the apolitical types and sway them his way. So this race is Hackett 2, Brown 0. Now, where's the decision? Zero equals a loss. I'm betting on DeWine if we nominate Sherrod Brown, and I'll win.

[blue neen]

89. Well said. n/t

[CanOfWhoopAss]

101. You have definately got a clue. Well said. (nt)

[corbett]

87. Good Practice For The Victor

I, too, was sad that Hackett was raked over the coals by the party but competing in the primary will give him a good chance to practice his dodge and parry for the general election.

http://www.dccc.org/campaignforchange

[Lady President]

88. Another Ohioan for Brown

I've been lucky enough to meet both Brown and Hackett. The bottom line is we are really fortunate to have two great candidates.

I fully support Brown and can't wait to volunteer for him. He is a true progressive leader who looks out for the working class citizens of Ohio.

In my fantasy world, I think it would be wonderful for Hackett to run for a state office in 2006. Once he has some more experience he could run in 2010. However, if he gets the nomination, I will definitely support him.

I know this is opposite of what most people have said here, but I think more Central Ohioans know Brown. This is just from talking to friends and co-workers. I know a lot of people who vote, but don't listen to AA or NPR. The special election didn't register with them.

[nickshepDEM]

94. H A C K E T T.

[erpowers]

95. Question

I am leaning toward Paul Hackett, but I have one question. Has Hackett been a Democrat his whole life, or at least a good portion of it? I am not trying to be the Democratic Party police; I just do not want someone who will get into office as a Democrat and then turn to the Republican side. So does it look like he will be staying with the Democratic Party?

[goodhue]

97. Reps. Kucinich & Strickland endorse Brown

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/101905.html

Strickland encouraged Brown to enter Senate race in Ohio

By Peter Savodnik

Rep. Ted Strickland, who is seeking the Ohio governor’s mansion, urged Rep. Sherrod Brown to run for the Senate shortly before Brown announced earlier this month that he would do so.

* * *

The hope, voiced by Strickland and other Democrats, is that Brown, from northeastern Ohio, and Strickland, from the southeast, would jointly mobilize an array of urban liberals and rural, conservative Democrats across the state.

* * *

Brown’s colleagues in the House, meanwhile, appear to be coalescing around his candidacy. Besides Strickland, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) has endorsed Brown, Kucinich spokesman Doug Gordon said. Other members of Ohio’s six-member Democratic delegation are expected to back Brown, Democratic sources indicated. Nicole Williams, a spokeswoman for Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), said the congresswoman would be publicly endorsing one of the two candidates.

* * *

Kucinich noted that Brown, a former Ohio secretary of state, has won statewide twice. (He neglected to mention that the Democrat lost in 1990, when he sought a third term.) Kucinich added that, while Hackett may have a bright future in the House, Brown is ready for the Senate. “He doesn’t need to be briefed on the issues,” Kucinich said.

[elaineb]

98. Another Ohioan for Brown

I can't believe the poll, so far, is so incredibly lopsided! Either the majority of those voting know very little, if anything, about Sherrod Brown; or they are centrist Dems; or they sincerely believe that Brown wouldn't do well in the state as a whole and Hackett would. I'm not criticizing the latter two reasons because everybody has their own opinion (although I think the third reason is based on possibly faulty "conventional wisdom"), but if the Hackett votes are based on the first reason, after reading this thread, I'll bet you're wishing you could get a "re-do". ;-)

[YoungDemocrat]

99. Either guy will win, Hackett is the pick

With DeWine polling so low, I think that both candidates could win. But I will reiterate my earlier sentiments: Paul Hackett has the aggression and straightforwardness we need in the Senate. Brown is brave, sure, but he isn't loud. I know Hackett is smart, I know he's loud and I know that when he shakes things up, the people will know about it.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

100. Sherrod Brown is going down.

If Brown was so sure he could carry the state why did he wait in the wings for someone else to stir things up?? I don't think he can and I don't appreciate him being just another opportunist politician. Ohio is not a liberal state so if Brown is more progressive he cannot carry the state. Get a Dem in the seat damn it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2171976&mesg_id=2171976

[Cocoa]

103. Hackett is the "anti-progressive?"

do you think Hackett agrees with you that progressive values can't win in Ohio?

[CanOfWhoopAss]

108. Hackett is more moderate from what I hear.

I prefer a progressive but I want a Dem period that can win. Ohio is not NY or CA. May be Hackett isn't the best Dem but he is the Dem most likely to win. He has a much wider appeal.

[sendero]

104. How about those of us..

.... who don't like people who go back on their word. Does your word mean anything? If you say you are not doing something and then others make plans based on that info, is it just fine business to "change you mind"?

While I truly believe that a newcomer/outsider will have a huge advantage against DeWine (trust me, the backlash against the failures of gov't that is well on its way is not only coming up against Reps, Dems will get their well-earned derision for falling in line like so many baby ducks), the fact that Brown is a "good liberal" falls by the wayside over the simple act of going back on his word.

No "good liberal" goes back on his word for his own benefit. Period.

[elaineb]

105. Yeah, sorry, I forgot about that one

And I'm sure Hackett has never and will never go back on his word, because most politicians stick to their principles and their previous statements. Riiight. Heck, I think he already has gone back on his word, because I've been hearing two different versions of how he stands (or stood) on Iraq. Perhaps a wise soul on DU can clear that one up for good and all.

And, sad to say, if we only voted for candidates who never went back on their word, we'd never vote. Even my hero Kucinich did a sort-of about face on his stance on abortion, and I think he's got to be the most honest politician in the US right now. Sorry, but to me, Brown's previous voting record and his current stance on the issues trumps the issue of him saying he wasn't going to run and then changing his mind. But I'm pretty far left, so that's just me. I just wish I knew whether some of you supporting Hackett over Brown are really aware just how progressive Sherrod's record is? It almost seems like you're deliberately not hearing that message. I mean if you're a centrist, fine, go ahead and support Hackett, but if your main concern is really Brown's deciding to run after saying he wasn't going to, rather than a considered assessment of the candidates' records and positions, then I can only hope that you aren't an Ohio voter.

And non-Ohioans can go ahead and fund Hackett in the primary, ain't nobody stopping you, but I'll be a bit miffed if you're doing it without a grasp of the candidates' records and stances. My money and my vote are going to Brown.

[sendero]

106. I know all about Brown's stances..

... I need to know. His word is shit.

Changing a political opinion is not the equivalent of promising to do something and then reniging. Try to spin it that way all you want, I'm not going to buy it.

Fact is, I'm not an Ohioan, but I truly believe that a candidate like Hackett has a much better chance of winning a Senate seat in Ohio than a classic liberal like Brown. BROWN'S POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES ARE DEFINITELY CLOSER TO MY OWN'S THAN HACKETT'S.

BUT I WANT A DEM SENATOR FROM OHIO, not another close race where the puke incumbent barely wins. I really beleive that Hackett can win and that as much as anything is the reason I support him. I'm FUCKING SICK AND TIRED OF LOSING. And I WILL be sending him money in the primary (assuming it is legal to do so).

[Algorem]

107. Brown makes Hackett look like a caveman.Oh,sure he's a Cro-Magnon in

a Neanderthal district,but still.

[paineinthearse]

109. DU votes count for nothing....unless you are registered to vote in Ohio.

A poll in GDP is meaningless. The best a voter outside Ohio can do would be to donate time and/or money.

A more meaningful poll would be in the Ohio forum.

[rockthevote2006]

110. Brown for Senate

Both men are strong candidates with a good agenda. I say Brown for Senate, Hackett for House of Representatives. I'm sure Hackett can win the 2nd district in 2006.

[goodhue]

111. kick for contrast