To the fans of Congressman Sherrod Brown, I am sorry. But your guy blew it. Paul Hackett is the man who deserves our support, our enthusiasm and our financial backing to take on Senator Mike DeWine. He can be beat, but only by the right candidate. Brown's disgraceful posturing on this race, as well as some of the DC leaders, makes it very clear which candidate has the toughness, the desire and the ability to win this seat for us in 2006.
I don't have a problem with Congressman Brown's record. He seems to be a good Democrat, hell he's probably a nice guy. But on this he messed up.
This man passed on the Senate race a while back. He didn't do so b/c he loved his family and wanted to spend more time with them. Or for his health or the chance to play more golf. He passed b/c he didn't think he could win. Plain and simple. What's more, he assured Hackett that he would not run. Now, all of a sudden, with a new Democratic star in his own state, with Hackett getting all the press, and with Reid and Schumer, who according to some, virtually begged Brown to run, now lining up behind Paul Hackett, only now does he suddenly realize that, by God, he can win and that he's going to give it his best. After, of course, Paul Hackett has already committed to this race.
What a political coward. What's even more awful is the DSCC, including Chuck Schumer, are supposedly telling Hackett that HE is the one who should exit the race in favor of Brown, that HE should step aside for the good of the party. Forgive me, Hackett ran for Congress with not much DCCC support, and nearly pulled off the upset of a decade in a solid GOP district. Hackett has publicly comitted to the Senate race which makes him look a fool if he suddenly says "oh my bad, when I said Senate I meant House, or I meant Governor." The explanation is simple. Brown couldn't win when he was being fawned over, the second he became ignored, all of a sudden he could. The DSCC, for it's part, is playing the John Kerry role of, "We'll go with the most electable," as if they have the slightest clue in the word who is more electable before an election.
Ladies and gentleman, with leadership like this, and with gutless wonders like this, is there any question as to why we've been a minority party for much of the last 11 years? This is shameful, pathetic leadership. If we caught the GOP doing this to their candidates, we'd be mocking them front and center for cowardice and opportunism, and we'd be right. Why, why oh why do our party leaders insist on shooting us where it hurts every DAMNED election cycle? Schumer promised Hackett his full support, as did Reid. No word on what Reid thinks now, but the grapevine has it that Schumer told Hackett he should consider withdrawing for the good of the party. Thanks Chuck. What great support. Honestly, can you buy guts like that? I mean, now I know if I want a damn good fight, I'll call Chuck Schumer, he's sure to stand by me to the end.
Paul Hackett is our candidate. He's in this b/c he wants it. Brown is in it b/c he couldn't stand not being the center of attention. For our leaders to turn on Hackett would be an absolute betrayal. Brown does not get my money, he does not get my foot soldier time and if I lived in OH, I'm not sure he'd get my vote. I don't want a buffoon political opportunist reprsenting me in the Senate. DeWine is bad enough, but at least the sick end of the GOP doesn't like him either. I want him gone, but not with a wimpy little "me me pay attention to me" Congressman.
I sure hope that Paul Hackett gets the support he deserves from the Democratic Party. If they turn on him, that's nothing short of betrayal. And with leadership like that, we'll be in the minority for a long time, no matter how poorly the GOP is regarded in public opinion. 02 and 04 tuaght us that we actually have to stand for something, we can't just say, "we're better trust us." Hackett will fight. Hackett will take a stand. Brown will take strong stands too, until the right lobbyist whispers in his ear. After all, if his mind can be changed so easily as it was on this race, who's to say he couldn't be persuaded by the right lobbyist. His word is no longer good, even to his fellow Dems.
In short, Brown will lose. You want him, then vote for him. But he will lose. We have got to start growing some spines. That means sticking by those you have promised to stick by. That's why Ted Kennedy has publicly stated that he'll support Kerry if he runs again, even if HRC runs. It's why Lindsey Graham stayed with McCain despite the pasting McCain took from conservatives in 2000. It's called guts, it's called backbone. Until we have it, we will lose. Hackett has it. He's willing to challenge a sitting Senator after losing a Congressional race and put his political future entirely on the line. He's going after DeWine b/c DeWine deserves it. Brown said no, then said yes when he was being ignored. Who's the leader there? Who's got the backbone? It's Paul Hackett and we should support him.