Rock On, Hackett

UPDATE:

Details on how Dems pushed Paul Hackett out of the Senate race.

(Excerpt)

As word spread about the intra-party intrigue that helped bring down Hackett, supporters have reacted angrily. "If the Democratic Party continues with these suicidal decisions, we will continue to defeat ourselves," declared Yolanda Parker, who recently attended a California fundraiser for Hackett. "The only strategy the Republicans need to stay in power is patience. They just need to wait while our party self-implodes through idiotic decisions such as the one to pressure an articulate Iraqi war veteran to pull out of the race."

The Republicans have much more to offer the country than patience, but Parker is right about her assessment of the Democratic Party's implosion "through idiotic decisions."
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Dems have forced Paul Hackett, U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio, to hit the road.

He's not happy about it.

Did you know Hackett is a war hero? How dare the Dems treat a veteran this way!


It wasn't that long ago that Hackett was considered to be the great hope of the Democratic Party.

His loss to Republican Jean Schmidt in a special election for a Congressional seat was deemed a win for Dems, because he came within four percentage points.

Yes, it's sad that the Dems celebrate a loss as a win. Nevertheless, Hackett was cited as ushering in a new era for the Dems, a sign of trouble for Republicans in 2006.

Now, he has been tossed out like yesterday's trash.

Poor, poor Paul.

On his Hackett for Ohio website, he writes a rather long-winded statement announcing his withdrawal from the Senate race. He manages to be bitter, self-congratulatory, and goofy -- very impressive.

Hackett's message:

Today I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the race for United States Senate. I made this decision reluctantly, only after repeated requests by party leaders, as well as behind the scenes machinations, that were intended to hurt my campaign.

But there was no quid pro quo. I will not be running in the Second Congressional District nor for any other elective office. This decision is final, and not subject to reconsideration.

Who's asking him to reconsider? It sounds like the Dems are getting exactly what they want -- to get rid of Hackett.

I told the voters from the beginning that I am not a career politician and never aspired to be – that I was about leadership, service and commitment.

Similarly, I told party officials that I had given my word to other good Democrats, who will take the fight to the Second District, that I would not run. In reliance on my word they entered the race. I said it. I meant it. I stand by it. At the end of the day, my word is my bond and I will take it to my grave.

He sure sounds like a career politician to me.

Thus ends my 11 month political career. Although it is an overused political cliche, I really will be spending more time with my family, something I wasn’t able to do because my service to country in the political realm continued after my return from Iraq. Perhaps my wonderful wife Suzi said it best after we made this decision when she said “Honey, welcome home.” I really did marry up.

To my friends and supporters, I pledge that I will continue to fight and to speak out on the issues I believe in. As long as I have the microphone, I will serve as your voice.

Hackett just said that his political career was over. Why would he still "have the microphone"? Is he planning on camping out in Crawford?

This guy is off the charts on the Ego-meter.

It is with my deepest respect and humility that I thank each and every one of you for the support you extended to our campaign to take back America, and personally to me and my family. Together we made a difference. We changed the debate on the Iraq War, we inspired countless veterans to continue their service by running for office as Democrats and we made people believe again. We must continue to believe.

Humility???

I'm picking up ego, ego, ego. Pump it up, Paul!

I thought Cindy Sheehan "changed the debate on the Iraq War."

Wait a minute. It wasn't Sheehan. It was Russ Feingold. No, now that I think about it, John Murtha changed the debate on the war.

Should we give Hackett credit for changing the debate? I'm afraid we can't.

I forgot about Michael Moore. He changed the debate.

Remember, we must retool our party. We must do more than simply aspire to deliver greatness; we must have the commitment and will to fight for what is great about our party and our country; Peace, prosperity and the freedoms that define our democracy.

Rock on.

Paul Hackett

Yeah, and party on, Garth.


Gary Hart is ticked off about how Hackett was treated. Once again, Hart turns to the Huffington Post to get his opinions known since no one else seems to care what he has to say.

Gary "Monkey Business" Hart writes:

Based on news reports alone and knowing nothing (thank goodness) about behind-the-scenes politics, the pressure brought on Paul Hackett, the bold Iraqi veteran, to abandon his campaign for the U.S. Senate from Ohio is deplorable.

This is simply old politics at its worst. There is a party which hand-picks its candidates, decides who can and cannot run, directs money to the favorite candidate, and dictate terms. Up till now, that party has been the Republican party.

Now, it seems, my Democratic party is once again imitating the Republican party in a desperate effort to regain power. With the McGovern democratic reforms in the early 1970s, political bosses were diminished and grassroots voters were elevated. The theme was, Let the people decide.

Telling Paul Hackett that he cannot run for the Senate, and purportedly calling contributers to dry up his funds, is the worse kind of old politics. It will drive voters away from the supposedly "open" party, the Democrats, and further add to public cynicism about how politics in America is played in the early 21st century.

Shame on us.

Gary Hart and shame go so well together.



Meanwhile, the once great Democratic Party continues to destroy itself from within.