In Cincinnati (Ohio 2d District), a man named Paul Hackett, recently returned marine from Iraq, is running as a Democrat for Congress. The district had a 20-year Republican who just retired. It doesn't hurt that he's a good looking man. The new Republican nominee, Jean Schmidt, is an extreme right-to-lifer and a shriveled marathon runner.
Here's what the Cincinnati Inquirer said in its endorsement:
"Hackett, in our view, is a gust of fresh air. If we had to put a label on him, it would be Libertarian Democrat. He says what he thinks and doesn't seem to have much use for the orthodoxy, or the partisanship, of either party. He doesn't want the government telling him what kinds of guns he can own, nor does he want it interfering in family or medical decisions or taking away civil liberties in the name of fighting terror."
Interesting.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Paul Hackett: Iraq Vet for Congress
Posted by The Law Talking Guy at 10:42 AM
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8 comments:
With that guy's bio and ideological position, the sky is the limit. If he wants to be a Senator or Governor after a couple of terms in the House he could do so easily. A Democrat from the 2nd district would have local loyalty in the heart of Cincinnati's Republican suburbs.
Voinavich has made his career running as a Republican from the largely Democratic Cleveland. This guy could be the Democrats answer to that.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
Because he's a 43-year-old lawyer with 3 years on a local city council, as well as a Marine, the Iraq vet story is not just a gimmick, but a hook for a potentially quality representative. The articles about him suggest that nobody from the Democratic party contacted him; he ran on his own. Why is the Democratic party not canvassing for more such people?
// posted by LTG
In his district there may not be much of an organized Democratic party. No joke. That district probably voted for Bush 75%-25%. This could lose just because of his party ID. The combat vet thing is the only bit that gives him a chance.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
According to the NY Times, it was 64% for Bush.
// posted by LTG
Compare that to the statewide results for Ohio and you see a possible explanation for the Democrats' lack of organization in the 2nd District.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
The causation arrow is not, I respectfully suggest, entirely in that direction.
// posted by LTG
That's because you've never been to Cincy. If we were talking about a part of Ohio that was closer in its political divisions (like Columbus where the Democratic party is actually quite vigorous these days), I might agree. But This disctrict makes Orange County look like San Francisco. Conservatives there are total wing nuts. The Ohio 2nd is a combination of Cincinatti elites and Apalachians. We're not talking about a blank slate district here where a lame Democratic party has surrendered needlessly. This is a part of Ohio where Democrats haven't stood a chance in Hell since before the Civil War.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
Hacket lost. Here is the story about it. The district is said to be dominated by Republicans. The winner is the first woman elected in that district.
Hacket did do far better than Democrats usually do. But did not really have a chance apparently.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
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