OH-10: Kucinich Was Rooting for Schmidt; The Hackett-Palmer Conference Call
Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 10:35am.
Just left Manchester, NH this morning (I know, a day late). As I'm buying souveniers for friends at the Red Arrow, who walks in behind me? Elizabeth Kucinich...which is kind of funny since it leads into my conference call this morning.
I just got off the line with the Palmer campaign, and they did indeed have Paul Hackett on this morning's conference call. When questions opened up I asked Paul why he was stepping into the foray in this race, afterall, it is another Democratic Primary? And what did his endorsement mean in terms of conflicting policies on the Iraq War between Dennis and Rosemary?
Well, he gave me an earful.
Of course Paul mentioned the fact that Rosemary's a great candidate, that he only selects the top candidates to endorse, that Palmer is a good person, and right on policy, but he also had a few other things to say specifically about Dennis.
Paul related a story he'd never told, which occured on the day after he won the Democratic Primary in the OH-02 Congressional race in 2005. You'll recall, this was the point when folks were starting to realize that we had a real race on our hands down south, and national attention was trickling in to this candidate from Southern Ohio. Well, driving through the District that day after the Primary, Hackett received a call from Dennis himself. As Paul said, Dennis stated he'd be rooting for Schmidt, that Hackett was a Democrat in Name only, that he didn't like Paul because he'd served in the Iraq War, and a whole host of other statements that made it sound like not only is Dennis out of touch, but anti-military.
Now, Steven Koff from the Plain Dealer put in a follow-up question, so keep your eyes on Openers throughout the day today, but there was plenty more in this riff.
Hackett also stated that Dennis policies on the war are "circus politics" and that Kucinich is intensely partisan. Since Paul and others believe that the Democrats need to take the reins on Iraq, but that we're going to have to eventually fix the problem in conjunction with the other party, these sentiments came into play with Paul's endorsement as well.
Interesting remarks. Can't wait to see Koff's take on it.
Paul Hackett
Submitted by JeanLR on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 2:22pm.
should have run in his own district against Jean Schmidt in '06 instead of quitting outright. It was a missed opportunity, alas...
If we get into our way-back machine, we might remember that Hacket was unable to name Sherrod Brown as an anti-war democrat candidate on his Hardball appearance when asked by Chris Mathews if there were any anti-war dems running. He knew then darned well about Sherrod Browns record on the war, and if he didn't, well, that does not reflect well on him either.
The point is that I don't believe him for one minute that Dennis Kucinich would come out and say he'd prefer Jean Schmidt over democrat Hackett in OH2.
I've already sourced this
Submitted by Ohio2nd on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 2:26pm.
to one staffer that was working on the campaign when the call came through. I'm sure I can find plenty more if I need them.
It stood out with people because prominent Democrats were calling Hackett at the time to congratulate him and they figured that this was going to be another such call.
It stood out with people because prominent Democrats were calling Hackett at the time to congratulate him and they figured that this was going to be another such call.
well, if Kucinich said something like that,
Submitted by JeanLR on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 2:41pm.
then he must've eaten one too many veggie-burgers~ I renounce any such comment as really dumb, and if he said that, he oughtto come out and explain that.
He should be asked directly and publically, however, I would want to hear it from his own mouth.
I think this is "hearsay evidence", otherwise known as "gossip"~
Jean, Jean, Jean!
Submitted by Susan on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 2:49pm.
What an unprogressive cheap shot at vegans!
Susan I knew we could be friends! :-)
Submitted by JeanLR on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 6:12pm.
LOL! good comeback! :-)
have a nice evening :-)
Paul Hackett as a political figure
Submitted by No Vested Interest on Thu, 08/16/2007 - 1:28am.
It seems pretty obvious that Paul Hackett eschews the money raising part of politics so necessary today, particularly among mid-level Democratic candidates.
That being the case, I don't expect to see him running for Representative or Senate anytime soon. He'll likely endorse and make appearances for worthy Dem candidates.
Since he lives in Indian Hill, outside Cincinnati city limits, about the only offices he could easily fill locally would be county commissioner or sheriff, when Old Simon Leis finally retires. Hackett's military experience, combined with his well-known experience of chasing down trespassers on his land, with gun in hand, could serve him well as sheriff.
(I am an OH-02/Hamilton county resident/voter.)
It's Up At Openers