Dems chase away Paul Hackett

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Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby heath7 » Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:43 pm

Just wanted to start a thread on the flushing of Paul Hackett, Dem senate candidate from Ohio. <br><br>The guy nearly beat out a repub incumbent in a tough conservative House district last year, and was running for Senate in the 2006 election. <br><br>He gave hope to a lot of democrats and independents alike, but the dem leadership convinced contributors to stop giving to Hackett's campaign, and somehow convinced him to give up his campaign so that longtime representative Sherrod Brown wouldn't have to face a primary campaign (where the people of Ohio could have chosen on their own which candidate they wanted). <br><br>I think its necessary to also point out that the dems are using the cover of the Cheney shoot-em-up to distract from the pressure applied to Hackett.<br><br>Also, why couldn't Kucinich be considered? He's another established Ohio democrat who inspires a lot of people. Brown's defining characteristic is his wholly forgettable presence in Washington. <br><br>The dems are trying to lose out to the repubs. There is no difference between the two except the dem leadership has proven quite adept at stabbing people in the backs while the repubs will shoot you right in the face. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby Gouda » Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:07 pm

Thanks for starting this one, heath. I was following that too. <br><br>Reid, Schumer and their party thugs pressured and basically threatened him into stepping aside. He may leave politics altogether. They key for the Dems is to keep opposition to the war(s) comfortably under wraps until, or so that, Hillary and Schumer can figure out their angles for running in 08'. <br><br>The NYT has a story here:<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/politics/14ohio.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">www.nytimes.com/2006/02/1...ref=slogin</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>"This is an extremely disappointing decision that I feel has been forced on me," said Mr. Hackett, whose announcement comes two days before the state's filing deadline for candidates...<br><br>"For me, this is a second betrayal," Mr. Hackett said. "First, my government misused and mismanaged the military in Iraq, and now my own party is afraid to support candidates like me...<br><br>"...he was outraged to learn that party leaders were calling his donors and asking them to stop giving and said he would not enter the Second District Congressional race...<br><br>"It boils down to who we think can pull the most votes in November against DeWine," said Chris Redfern, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. "And in Ohio, Brown's name is golden. It's just that simple...<br><br>"The party keeps saying for me not to worry about those promises because in politics they are broken all the time," said Mr. Hackett, who plans to return to his practice as a lawyer in the Cincinnati area. "I don't work that way. My word is my bond."<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--> Disgusting, as usual, this regal one-party club we are only allowed into under certain conditions. <br><br>You can write to Hackett if you feel so inclined, and encourage him to run on a third party ticket - remind him that people will support a person of his word, even if his party does not. <br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://hackettforcongress.com/page/s/contact">hackettforcongress.com/page/s/contact</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby heath7 » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:27 pm

I suspect, of course, its been spelled out for Hackett that he's compromised in some way.<br><br>None of these possible candidates, for stirring up the stagnant cesspool that is DC, are ever going to be able to withstand the MSM's scrutiny unless we ourselves better scrutinize the difference between everyday foibles (adultery, tax evasion, temper, whatever) found in said candidates, and the genocide, social-cide and culure-cide 'foibles' present in virtually every current congress-critter. <br><br>I do not mean to belittle everyday 'foibles', I was trying for contrast. <br><br>Hypothetically speaking, if Mr. Hackett were guilty in the past of adultery (I imagine, the most common infraction), for example, does that prevent him from being an effective leader? Can a small level of suspicion coincide with trust? My world tells me they <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>have</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> to coincide, that's just how imperfect the world is? Do not spouses continue to live with their adulterous mates everyday in this country? Some for the wrong reasons, but not most, I'm sure.<br><br>I don't know how hopeful Howard Dean ever was, but remember his 'scream'? It seemed as if that was all the MSM needed to tank his campaign (I still doubt the results of that Iowa primary that the scream followed). From that scream on, it seemed all hope for Dean had been lost. Over the exhibition of a little temper!? <br><br>Are we nuts?<br><br>Not that it matters, but I'd admire Hackett even more if he'd simply level with us why he will not continue to run. We need that precedent for people to compare and contrast. I'm sure it'd make the picture clearer for many Americans, and perhaps make it a little easier in the future for a tempestuous, lustful beacon of hope to get their proper audience.<br><br>The possibility that Hackett's family has been/could be threatened forces my preemptive forgiveness for his not clearing this matter up, which is another consideration entirely. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby Gouda » Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:15 pm

There's a such a strong element of willful blindness to the nastier realities of politics - so much so that when I was searching for some rationale as to why such a young, fresh, candid, unpolished guy - an Iraq vet - would beat such a hasty retreat to his law firm (well, at least we know he understands legalities), I pretty much tried to assume that he was simply so gobsmacked, betrayed and fed up that he quit. The more compromising aspects of politics were relegated to the background as I immediately put myself in his place - hell, I'd feel like quitting politics too if I were him, at least temporarily. Strike another blow to electoral hope. <br><br>Anyway, I wrote him nonetheless and let him know that he should forget the demos and run as an indy, and that if i were in ohio, i would give him my vote even if he had been photographed snorting coke with a trollop. <p></p><i></i>
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THE "CHASE IS ON"

Postby Floyd Smoots » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:14 pm

Trite title, but all too true. I have watched many principled men and women go to statehouses, congress, etc., and realize that they really could NOT make a difference in the hellbound course that the PTB have set for us. Those who remained uncompromised in their principles just said "to hell with this crap!", packed their bags, and went home. I have come to the sad, but firm conclusion that no honest person, regardless of their personal spiritual beliefs (or honest unbelief), has a "bag of popcorn's chance at the movies" of making any real changes in the choice of drums or drummers. Alas, "The Beat Goes On"!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: THE "CHASE IS ON"

Postby heath7 » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:49 pm

Whenever it gets so that we and our families can't make an honest living to survive, then we should all start screaming together, "Bolivia!" and shut this place down. <br><br>Ahhhhh, but would it do any good?<br><br>What a vicious circle.<br><br>Gouda, you are right-on about giving the PTB too much credit. Yesterday when old Whittington had his 'heart attack' it dawned on me like an epiphany that I had senselessly given the MSM more credit than they deserved in thinking they were remotely close to truth, saying that Whittington's wounds were superficial. Even now they keep trying to play down this very serious heart condition. Before, I honestly hadn't given serious thought that he would die, where now I'll be surprised if he survives. Especially now that Cheney, in his interview with Hume, rather heartlessly pointed out Whittington's old age and possible unseen complications. I'm sorry, but isn't he the last person who should be talking that way in this particualar drama? <p></p><i></i>
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MERCENARY'S CREED

Postby Floyd Smoots » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:01 pm

The old "Mercenary's Creed" says, "Kill 'em ALL, Let GOD Sort 'em Out!". Too danged bad it's been uh fed'rul krime fur far too long, ta actually "name uh few names" 'n' see a li'l "frontier justice" done in da name o' da LAW!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby chiggerbit » Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:58 pm

<br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=4503849&nav=2FH5">www.ktre.com/Global/story...9&nav=2FH5</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>Dean blames party's "skullduggery" for withdrawal of popular Ohio Senate candidate <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby StarmanSkye » Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:24 am

Heath7 said, "The Dems are trying to lose to the repugs."<br><br>Sure seems that way sometimes (usually always).<br><br>Where in the effin' hell does the so-called Dem Party get off asking Hacket supporters to pull their contributions to him? Likewise, this behind-the-scenes deal-making and decisions by party elitists to eliminate candidate choice is almost too repugnant for words, effectively disenfranchising both candidates and voters by an absolutely pathetic sophist rationale. The biggest flaw here in assuming that by eliminating choices the chance for electoral 'success' is improved, foolishly disregards the importance of a candidate inspiring and energizing an electorate. <br><br>I'd say this reliance on formulaic calculation instead of fielding (and supporting) dynamic candidates who can speak directly TO voters concerns and real-life interests is a major failing of the party. The dems seem to be stuck in playing 'catch-up', responding to the Repugs manipulation of issues and how they are playing the great game, INSTEAD of tapping-into the enormous energy potential of a public that is increasingly outraged, frustrated and cynical about their disenfranchisement -- being crowded-out of active political participation, ignored and trivialized by the numbers game that the Repugs control and that the Dem party 'leadership' seems to have become distracted by, as the whole point of it all. The Dems are putting the cart in front of the horse, acting as if the purpose of the electorate is to 'support' candidates the party 'leadership' find acceptable.<br><br>Yet another example of an opposition party that is sabotaging the initiatives of its own blue collar base, pandering to elitist pipe dreams about what is 'possible' instead of listening to and responding to the people.<br><br>It's way past time for the Democratic Party to be superceded by a true citizen's party that is clearly distinguishable from the false 'choices' of the current two-in-one corporate rethug plutocracy who above all are committed to keeping business as usual.<br><br>The following observations by the perceptive and articulate Dave Lindorf gets right to the heart of the central flaw in Democratic strategy -- fielding Middle-of-the-road managers who have made a career out of sitting on the fence and repackaging populist, progressive challenges to the status-quo (to avoid 'offending' corporate sponsors) is like planning for a solid second-place finish -- which in a rigged-game where winner takes all is the same as losing.<br><br>Ah, nothing like shooting yourself in the foot to avoid the inconvenience of winning.<br><br>Starman<br>******<br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/">www.thiscantbehappening.net/</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>Dems, Like Cheney, Are Shooting Their Own <br>Dave Lindorf<br><br>Dick Cheney may have demonstrated his ability yet again to go after the wrong target when he bagged his hunting companion instead of his quarry, but the Democratic Party leadership is proving to be even more treacherous in the field than Deadeye Dick. <br><br>Party leaders, including Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) recently pressured Cindy Sheehan not to mount a primary campaign against California Senator Diane Feinstein, a woman who has betrayed party principles, such as they are, at almost every turn and deserves to go down to defeat. (It was only after Sheehan said she was considering a primary fight that Feinstein announced she would support a filibuster on Alito.) Now they've killed the campaign of Paul Hackett, an Iraq War vet and sharp critic of the war and the president and a candidate who had a strong shot at snatching a Senate seat for the Democrats this fall in Ohio. <br><br>For months, the Democratic National Committee, and the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee chair, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), have been working behind the scenes to undermine Hackett's campaign in favor of Rep. Sherrod Brown. When Hackett announced his intention to run, he met with party leaders, and with Ohio Rep. Sherrod Brown, and won a commitment from Brown not to enter into a primary fight for the Democratic senate nomination. Later, the party leadership undercut him and had Brown go back on his promise, forcing a primary battle. The undermining effort continued and Hackett finally decided Monday he didn't want the fight. <br><br>Saying he had been betrayed by his country when he was sent to Iraq, and now by his party, Hackett, a Marine reservist and a lawyer, said he was quitting politics in understandable disgust, but would continue to speak out against the war. I'm sorry he decided not to fight, but understand his disgust. <br><br>Only a few days ago, I received a call from a fund-raiser for the DNC asking me to help the party elect a Democratic Congress in 2006. I told the woman she was wasting her time, and that I would not give a penny to a corrupt and self-destructing organization that was so afraid to be a genuine opposition party that it would sabotage its own best candidates. She indignantly asked me who the DNC had sabotaged and I ran a whole list by her, from Cynthia McKinney to Cindy Sheehan. Now we can add Paul Hackett to the list. <br><br>The same can be said for my home state of Pennsylvania, where the Democratic Party leadership is hard at work trying to kill off the senate campaign of a genuine progressive candidate, Chuck Pennacchio, in favor of an anti-abortion candidate, Bob Casey, who actually expressed support for the nomination of Sam Alito to the Supreme Court, and whose only claim to fame is having the name of a former state governor (his father). Polls show that Democratic voters in Pennsylvania give Pennacchio a higher lead over incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum than Casey gets, but hardly anyone has heard of Pennacchio. This is largely because the DNC has anointed Casey, and so the media focuses on him. Yet Casey, a lackluster candidate who shares almost nothing with the Democratic electoral base, is likely to lose to Santorum, while Pennacchio, a college professor and activist in the mold of the late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone, could actually beat the Republican incumbent if he had financial backing to mount a serious campaign and make his views known. (Which reminds me: maybe the conspiracy buffs should consider whether it was the DNC behind the downing of Wellstone's campaign, and not the Bush administration...) <br><br>It's pathetic to watch most of the genuine opposition to Bush coming from people in his own party, from torture policies (Sen. John McCain, R-AZ) to NSA spying (Rep. Heather Wilson, R-NM), while most Democrats in Congress are lying down, sitting back or are just comatose. Meanwhile, with no opposition worthy of the name, the Bush administration is hacking away at what's left of the Constitution, international law, and civil liberties. <br><br>Ordinary Democratic voters, according to the polls, want to see this president impeached by a margin of over 80% to 20%, yet not one Democrat in Congress has the guts to introduce an impeachment bill in the House the way the late Rep. Henry Gonzalez (D-Texas) did back in 1991 against President George H.W. Bush. <br><br>Candidates like Hackett and Pennacchio would have the courage and independence to do just that. That's why weasels like Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, and yes, Howard Dean, would rather see the party go down to defeat in `06 than see them get into Congress. <br><br>My advice: If the party comes calling and asking for your support, tell them you’re a real Democrat, and won't be giving any money to the Democratic Party until it becomes a real party of opposition. I'm all for supporting individual Democratic incumbents who deserve it, like Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) or Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), but not a penny for the party, or for those incumbents or challengers to Republicans who have forgotten what the word "opposition" means. <br><br>Cheney is going to find it hard to get hunting partners after his latest display of marksmanship. Let's make it impossible for the Democratic Party to get grassroots financial support after its latest round of treachery. <br><br>8:42 am pst<br> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby Gouda » Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:44 am

I have had some 'discussions' with people who have separation anxiety and/or fear of the outdoors. They simply can't leave the democrats even if they know they should. You point out to them example after example of the above (and yesterday, i think, only 2 democrats + one independent tried to filibuster the approval of the new and improved Patriot Act - the rest of the senate shut them down with a 96-3 vote) and they counter with: well, we have to be pragmatic, this is reality, this is how the system works, welcome to the big leagues, "sad but true" copouts, etc etc. <br><br>Said Diane Feinstein (not to be challenged by Sheehan) on the Patriot Act vote: :<br><br>"Compromise and consensus require concessions and flexibility. It is the responsibility of the Congress to 'provide for the common defense,' and I believe we live up to that duty in this bill." <br><br> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby Gouda » Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:37 pm

Don't mind if I do quote myself - <br><br>Gouda said: "...and they counter with: well, we have to be pragmatic, this is reality, this is how the system works, welcome to the big leagues, 'sad but true' copouts, etc etc."<br><br>Actually they are right. The reality is there is no space and no place in the USA for them to turn right now, electorally (or mentally). <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Dems chase away Paul Hackett

Postby heath7 » Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:30 pm

<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://motherjones.com/news/update/2006/02/hackett_drops_out.html">Backroom Battles</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>Above is a link to a Mother Jones article detailing Paul Hackett's evicition from his Senate race.<br><br>In the words of Hackett, from the article:<br><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Hackett, who says he would still like to help “retool” the Democratic Party, ends his meteoric political career with some advice for other maverick candidates. “They simply can’t rely on any of the party infrastructure to help them, and they must assume that people at high levels will work against them. These guys,” he says of the party insiders, “view the Senate as a club. They’re not gonna welcome you if one day they turn the key on the clubhouse door and you are sitting there with your feet on the table flippin’ them the middle finger. I understand that from their perspective. It works for them, but not for the rest of us out here.”</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br>There is also a link to another article 'The Ohio Insurgency', from 2005, that entertainingly introduces Hackett. He seems to be quite a character. <br><br>Such a shame. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: wesley & leslie

Postby Gouda » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:39 am

Well, Hackett did not take my advice and run on a 3rd party indy ticket. Instead, he's teamed up with Wesley (Clark) and Leslie (Gelb) - or, they teamed him up - to promote a veterans political action committee that seeks to assist vets interested in running for office without party support. <br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Paul_Hackett_joins_PAC_to_aid_0220.html">rawstory.com/news/2005/Pa..._0220.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>NEW YORK - Citing the need to help other candidates in the same situation he was in, former candidate for the US Senate Seat in Ohio and Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett is announcing his decision to join Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC) today, as a member of the group's Board of Advisors. IAVA PAC will benefit those candidates, who like Hackett, are Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans seeking to continue their service to their country by seeking elected office.<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Paul Hackett joins retired General Wesley Clark, former President of the Council on Foreign Relations Leslie H. Gelb</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->, best-selling author and Iraq and Afghanistan combat Veteran Nathaniel Fick and Iraq Veteran Paul Rieckhoff on the IAVA PAC Board of Advisors...<br><br>"I want to be sure that they do not suffer the same fate that I did, by helping them build campaigns that can run strongly without party support."<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--> Damned again. That almost seems like a good idea. Now, if wesley and leslie are hedging their bets against failing party politics, which institution do you think they have in mind to back 'democracy'? <br><br>I can't help thinking this guy just keeps getting used. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: wesley & leslie

Postby chiggerbit » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:20 pm

As I was reading on Ohio's political news about Hackett, I came across this little example of how the Democratic machine typically runs Dem politics. I know the Dems leaders are always droning on about how they are all about grassroot politics, but it's all just posturing, as this shows. Grassroots, my ass.<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_openers/archives/2006_02.html">www.cleveland.com/weblogs...06_02.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>Close seconds<br><br><br>The Ohio Democratic Party’s screening committee, which on Saturday interviewed statewide candidates, recommended that party leaders endorse just one candidate in each primary race. <br><br>But they considered recommending both candidates in the attorney general and treasurer contests. <br><br>While the committee backed State Sen. Marc Dann over former Cleveland Law Director Subodh Chandra for attorney general, Dann barely survived a motion for a duel endorsement recommendation. The motion was defeated 12-11, according to Chandra’s campaign. <br><br>Chandra is a political newcomer who’s impressed many in the party with his moxie and fund-raising ability. <br><br>In the race for treasurer, the committee went with Franklin County Treasurer Richard Cordray over Montgomery County Treasurer Hugh Quill, who also nearly won a reprieve. <br><br>Party spokesman Brian Rothenberg wouldn’t comment on the screening committee’s deliberations. The party’s executive committee, which includes 135 party activists and elected officials, will have the final say Wednesday. The committee can still issue duel endorsements, though it's not likely. <br><br>- Mark Naymik<br><br><br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p216.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=chiggerbit@rigorousintuition>chiggerbit</A> at: 2/21/06 11:55 am<br></i>
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