Iraq war vet battles GOP odds in southwest Ohio district

[Algorem]

7/21/2005, 2:26 p.m. ET

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-18/112196699972650.xml&storylist=cleveland

By DAN SEWELL
The Associated Press

SEAMAN, Ohio (AP) — A few months ago, Paul Hackett spent his days flushing out insurgents and avoiding ambushes in Fallujah, Ramadi and other hot spots in the Iraq war. Today, he's trying to round up votes in small southern Ohio towns.

At dawn, he's having eggs and toast at the Cruiser Diner, when not jumping up to shake hands with other diners or recounting war experiences to a young soldier facing Iraq duty later this year.

Hackett will try in an Aug. 2 special election to become the first veteran of that war elected to Congress. But he'd also be the first Democrat to win the 2nd District in three decades. He's facing a well-known, experienced Republican — former state Rep. Jean Schmidt — in the seven counties stretching eastward from Cincinnati suburbs through largely rural areas.

"The Republicans have an advantage in this district," he told more than 50 people at a town hall meeting Wednesday night in suburban Cincinnati. "That's OK. That's life."...

[opusprime]

1. Go get 'em Paul....

If your interested, you can help out Paul's campaign @ http://www.hackettforcongress.com/

He's gonna need all the support he can get, and I plan on giving him as much as I can... even though I have never been to Ohio.

He should play really well with the "values" crowd.

[pocket]

2. he is against pulling out of Iraq

http://hackettforcongress.com/index.php?page=display&id=69

[democracyindanger]

5. And he was against the war

So, um, what's your point? It's a complicated situation. I want our troops out yesterday. There are plenty of Democrats who disagree. So tell me why, evidently, you'd be happier to have another GOP congresscritter instead of a Democrat?

[benddem]

3. we need an Iraq vet in this congress

if you can --contribute to his campaign. He's running against a real sleeze.

[goforit]

4. Yes ...knock on every door far and wide!!!

[Celeborn Skywalker]

6. Kick! (nt)

[drhilarius]

7. I feel sorry for this guy...

especially, after his war record gets scrutinized, his trauma diminished, his patriotism questioned. "Humvee veterans for the truth" anybody?

[PittLib]

8. I just gave ...

not much, but anything to help. All things considered ... he's been to Iraq (voluntarily, I might add) so I'd gladly defer my opinion on the war to his experience.

[wellst0nev0ter]

9. *Patiently Waits For Him To Be "Clelanded"*

Doesn't matter how many limbs you give in service of this country, if ur a Democrat . . . I think you all heard Zellout last summer.