Sherrod Brown's swiftboating Paul Hackett was just the latest in a long line of Rovian tactics by a supposed progressive. Before this, Brown managed to get Ohio's most popular blogger fired just because he dared post the truth about Brown's campaign.
Awhile back, Buckeye Politics, the most popular blog in Ohio, went dark. There was no indication why. Here's the real story.
According to numerous sources inside and outside the campaign, Sherrod Brown directed his staff to do opposition research on a local blogger (among other folks who opposed Brown).
They turned up past legal issues on the blogger. Then they pitched the story to every news outlet in Cleveland. They even faxed the information to a radio station when the blogger was supposed to appear.
The result was simple and predictable; the blogger was fired and Brown's campaign did not say a word. They assumed, as has always been the case, that Brown's "progressive" record would overshadow his dirty politics.
Not this time. While it is painful to reveal what happened to an Ohio blogger, it is more painful to be quiet after this week.
We cannot tolerate Sherrod Brown's attempts to neutralize online activists in the Democratic Party. More importantly, where will Sherrod Brown draw the line? Are "traditional" journalists fair game? How about volunteer leaders in the oppositions' camp? Is there a line?
So, what do we do?
First, we make sure every online activist in America knows the truth about Sherrod Brown's real neutralization effort.
Then we make sure that the MSM hears the story, too.
Finally, we throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the Democratic races in Ohio where real, progressive Democrats need our help.
Sure, Sherrod Brown will lose. But we will all win.
UPDATE: For links to stories on this and other Brown hijinks, see below.
http://blogometer.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/01/113_all_over_bu.html#8
http://www.buckeyesenateblog.com/2006/02/sherrod_brown_i.html
http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2006/02/hackett_drops_out.html