Now that there are
two quality candidates in the Ohio Senate race, with
Sherrod Brown and
Paul Hackett, it appears we already need a come-to-Jesus reminder that even though there are primary opponents, and some of us have picked sides, in the end
we're on the same team, so it's time to cut the shit and stop bleeding each other to death!
You'd think we would have learned something from the Gephardt v. Kerry v. Dean v. Kucinich v. everybody cluster in Iowa last year. You'd think we would have learned to find a way to coexist and agree to disagree while underscoring the obvious: either option is better than the current failed government.
Apparently not.
In this diary by Paul Hackett, Hackett announces the great secret that he's running for Senate. Good on ya, Paul! I am deeply opposed to the blind Iraq-war-vet-and-also-a-Democrat candidate worship so easily found on Kos, but I was impressed with you during the special election. You fit the bill as a good bio, and more importantly, a good candidate. I thought you ran a good race and was sorry to see you lose.
It's also clear that Sherrod Brown has been a champion of many a progressive cause in a long career in public service. I know less about Sherrod Brown than Paul Hackett because I don't live in Ohio, and Hackett's been more in the national spotlight (especially around here) lately. But what research I've done and what has been said about him tells me he's a good guy to have on our side.
But down in the comments, I see the pissing contest already starting.
From Hackett himself:
he made no contact about the picture (3.82 / 17)
To the best of my recollection, I haven't had multiple positions. This is a move by a typical career politician.
I'm glad Sherrod agrees that I'll have more success on the net raising money than him which is why he's using my picture. I'm flattered that the big 20 year career politician realizes I a more recognizable.
Calls for civility immediately, and rightly, rang out in following comments. Some argued semantics, that "career politician" isn't an attack. But it was clearly intended as a dig at his opponent. It's understandable to be a bit snappish when your opponent is using your photo, but I think a respectful tone is just...well, polite.
But Jerome Armstrong was soon involved:
Good call on making the change in position (1.42 / 7)
Thanks for joining Sherrod Brown, who led the fight against going into Iraq, and recognizing that Iraq is a failure.
How's the $144K bus?
Jerome added his pithy comments with no indication that
he's on Brown's payroll. Does it matter if Jerome is on Brown's payroll? Only if he's going to follow Hackett around in his own diary, launching verbal grenades and not sticking around to follow up. And bringing a bus into it? Jerome, you're a respected member of the blog community, and this is beneath you.
Further down, Hackett:
I'm motivated to fix what these clowns have let become broken.
If you're happy with the status quo, you can have Sherrod Brown or Mike DeWine. If you're interested in the transformation, revitalization and change this country needs then come and join me.
A shot at Sherrod Brown? Yup, and completely unnecessary. Sherrod Brown in no way resembles Mike DeWine, and Hackett should apologize for suggesting that he's the same.
Jerome fires back:
real class there Paul (1.50 / 4)
I'm motivated to fix what these clowns have let become broken. If you're happy with the status quo, you can have Sherrod Brown.
I'm sure you'll find that Karl will enjoy this type of destructive campaigning; does Sarah even know where Ohio is?
Note the conflation of two sentences that were NOT grouped together in Hackett's post, adding further enmity to a comment that already was out of line. And still no acknowledgement by Jerome that he's being paid to stalk Hackett on his own diary.
And so it goes - people taking potshots at Brown, Brown supporters baiting Hackett, claims of flip-flopping, claims that Hackett is "searching for the limelight to primp himself".
HEY. PROGRESSIVES.
CUT THE SHIT!
What the hell is wrong with you? Have we not done enough damage to ourselves? Do we have to act like assholes with each other?
Paul, I understand the frustration - Brown said he wouldn't run and changed his mind. The party did what it does, which is stick with folks who have stuck with the party. It hurts, but there it is. So suck it up and run your campaign, don't pout and don't start name-calling. You're too good a candidate for that nonsense, and I don't want to see either one of you wasting your time firing blanks at each other.
Hackett supporters, Brown supporters: STFU. Support your guy, draw distinctions, ask legitimate policy questions of the candidates, but don't stalk and bait people. Grow up. After the primary's over, you're going to have to pull the same direction, and if you've been pissing in each other's cereal bowl, it's just going to slow the process down. Let's please have one election where we don't wind up firing hateful vitriol at one another over two good, qualified candidates, such that normal people suddenly can't support the winner.
Or to put it more succinctly: CUT THE SHIT.