Just like everyone else, I can tell you that my stop in Ohio was great! Other than a trip through Cincinnati with the Kerry Campaign, this was my first trip back in a very long time. As a University of Cincinnati graduate, who got her start in politics in Cincinnati, it was good to be part of this amazing ground effort.
The Hackett team can be proud of the energy that has been garnered. Democrats in Southern Ohio haven't had a race like this one in years. It was obvious from the local team that they are ready for a fight. It is the local people who made this race and when we win it is their victory.
In 1974 there was a special election in this district -- the Democrat won. In November that year Democrats took 72 seats -- the Watergate Babies. In 1974, Ohio also sent Senator John Glenn to Washington. The parallels with Paul Hackett are amazing. I hope this war hero comes out on top, too.
After touching base with Paul Hackett and DNC's own John Hagner, who was busy preparing all of the hundreds of lists and targets for the weekend's canvas, I was on the road from Batavia to meet with women activists.
Suzi Hackett and Frances Strickland were my companions Friday and we made it from one end of the district to the other. The enthusiasm and yard signs for Paul were everywhere we went. Frances Strickland was able to transport materials and signs and was a familiar face to the crowds. People were excited and enthusiastic.
Leaving the office after 10:00 p.m. I noticed the Republican headquarters across the street was dark. This was some contrast to the groups of busy people all over the Batavia office.
Saturday's rally was terrific. You can't do better than Senators John Glenn and Max Cleland in southern Ohio. Add on local officials, Mayor Michael Coleman and Congressman Ted Strickland and we had a full house! The hooting and hollering was just what we needed to send off the canvassers.
Meanwhile, back at the office, troops kept arriving from everywhere. The DNC caravan was making its way to Cincinnati along with the hundred of grassroots activists that have been reading about this race everywhere.
I'm back in Maryland today emptying every list off my computer that I can and making sure that every person contacts every friend and family member that they can think of in Ohio's Second District. I've already sent out 2,000 emails and am raising money too. DNC Members and my friends are writing to tell me that they are clicking on to HackettforCongress
We're doing all we can. Nobody can say that Paul Hackett hasn't had great troops with him for this fight.