Reply #195: I think the "negative - anti-Schmidt" vote happened.

[VolcanoJen]

My opinion is that Schmidt-backlash happened when she belittled Paul Hackett's service to his country, and when her campaign manager, well-known in Clermont county especially, attempted to "swift-boat" Hackett by claiming he was only a public affairs officer in a uniform.

However, I'll also say that claims of a Schmidt-backlash are overstated, especially when coming from Republican operatives who are still stinging that Paul Hackett came so close to winning the seat. There's an equal chance that those voters voted for Hackett because they liked him, they liked his message, and he reached them.

By the way, Niehaus beat Schmidt by only 22 votes (in a recount) when they were both vying for the Republican nomination to the Ohio Senate. I remain wholly unconvinced that Neihaus would have somehow been a much stronger candidate than Schmidt against Hackett, when you look at those numbers.

Thanks, liam... that was an interesting email and tidbit! Sorry to bore everyone with Cincinnati-area politics, but that was truly some fascinating stuff!