Much as it disappoints me, I can't fault Paul Hackett on this one.

[mcscajun]

From an e-mail I just received, emphasis mine:

"Similarly, I told party officials that I had given my word to other good Democrats, who will take the fight to the Second District, that I would not run. In reliance on my word they entered the race. I said it. I meant it. I stand by it. At the end of the day, my word is my bond and I will take it to my grave."

It's the same thing that drew me to him: He stands by what he says. He won't break his word to the other Democrats running just because he's been slapped down by party leadership. He holds himself to a higher standard, and that's what he's all about.

Hopefully, his departure from politics is of a kind with Richard Nixon's withdrawal back in 1962...a temporary one.

[babylonsister]

1. Very disheartening, but I too respect his decision. Dare we hope

someone of the same caliber might run in his place?

[Botany]

2. "They" have chased a good man from the party.

As someone who lives in Ohio, I am mad. It should have been up to the voters in
Ohio not senators from New York and Nevada. This stinks. He would be much
tougher in the general election then Brown. DeWine will win again ..... Partly
due to the "Ohio voting machines" and partly due the fact that Brown will be painted
as a big City Liberal.

[mcscajun]

3. I Hope your "they" means the party leadership, and not the others

running for the Ohio Second District.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. I think the fact that Hackett won't run in the 2nd District

because he had given his word to others who wanted to run shows that he was in solidarity with their aspirations. I think the whole blame lies on people from outside Ohio.

[MercutioATC]

7. His announcement states that he's not running in the 2nd...or anywhere.

Way to go, Dems!

:sarcasm:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. That's what I thought

I don't think that outsiders should have decided this-it should have been left up to the voters of Ohio.

[OzarkDem]

5. He has a problem with the facts

he tends to distort them until they fit his message, then sticks by it.

I'm sorry, but this guy is becoming more and more of a disappointment. I'm glad he's out, I don't trust him any longer.

[LynneSin]

8. You and me both

I mean god forbid I have to trust a man who is on record as saying "NO" to both the war and the patriot act (the first vote and the current one) :eyes:

[Botany]

9. You could not be more wrong

"He has a problem with the facts he tends to distort them until they fit his message, then sticks by it ....."

I had the honor of meeting Paul last week @ a small meet up and what was best about
him was the way he spoke. No non answer answers and no bull shit.