NYT: Iraq Veteran, Running in Ohio, Harsh on Bush (calls him chicken hawk)

[DeepModem Mom]

Veteran of Iraq, Running in Ohio, Is Harsh on Bush
By JAMES DAO
Published: July 27, 2005


CINCINNATI, July 22 - In the Second Congressional District of Ohio, which Republicans have controlled for the last two decades, the quickest route to political oblivion could be the one chosen by Paul L. Hackett: calling President Bush a "chicken hawk" for not serving in Vietnam and harshly criticizing the decision to invade Iraq.

But Mr. Hackett, the Democratic candidate in the Aug. 2 special Congressional election, is not an ordinary politician. Until four months ago, he was serving in the Marines, commanding a civil affairs unit in Iraq.

If Mr. Hackett is elected, he will become the first member of Congress to have served in the Iraq war. That alone has helped Mr. Hackett, a 43-year-old lawyer, unexpectedly turn this potential walkover into a sharply contested race.

"When you tell people he just got back from Iraq, they stop and listen," said Timothy Burke, the chairman of the Democratic Party in Hamilton County, one of seven southern Ohio counties in the district. "He'd not have nearly as many people paying attention to him if it weren't for that initial grabber."

Mr. Hackett's Republican opponent, Jean Schmidt, has poured more than $200,000 of her own money into her campaign and traveled tirelessly across the district. Her campaign has received tens of thousands of dollars from national Republican committees, and Mr. Bush has agreed to record a telephone message that will be delivered the weekend before the special election....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/27/national/27ohio.html

[Doctor_J]

1. Yes!

Yes, yes, yes, YES! Dunno how this will play in Cinn, but I like it.

[converted_democrat]

2. I hope this guy makes it. Sounds like he would be great for the job. n/t

[bushisanidiot]

3. I love it!! I hope this guy's name is all over the news!

Paul L. Hackett - u.s. marine, Iraq war vet, outspoken and DEMOCRAT!!

i wonder if the repukes will get out their purple heart bandaids to mock him like they did John Kerry. chickenhawk PUSSIES!

[Doctor_J]

6. Good point

Karl will probably order a media blackout on Hackett.

[OhioBlue]

44. they already are.

they (local R's and RW radio nutjobs) are picking apart his time in Iraq debating and asking leading questions... Trying to say that if he wasn't official "combat" he doesn't deserve to say he fought for our Country and actaully hinting that fighting in Iraq was part of his whole plan to run for Congress.

[calimary]

52. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!!! They're trying to "swift boat" him.

ASSHOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bet you the loudest offenders here have never even strolled by a recruiting office, no less actually offered their butt holes in the service of their country. They sure can point fingers, though, can't they? Wellllllllll.... I've got a finger for THEM. :grr:

[carnie_sf]

4. Tell it like it is brother

[gademocrat7]

5. I hope Hackett can win.

He is calling shrub what he is, a"chicken hawk". A Democrat with a spine.

[saigon68]

28. SO UNLIKE LoserMann and his cohort Joe Byeagain.

[Bozita]

7. That article is on the front page of today's NYT

Below the fold, but hey!

[Liberal_Andy]

8. I'd like to see some polling on this...

could be very interesting.

[geckosfeet]

9. One district at a time.

[shanti]

10. no matter

ohio repukes know how to tweak the voting machines well!

[Kolesar]

12. How many EVMs are in OH-2?

Only (about) 7 of Ohio's 88 counties use EVMs, I recall.

[shanti]

18. are you denying the fact

that ohio was rife with voting corruption ala *ush? they handed the pResidency to him.

[Kolesar]

19. Arnebech &company came up woefully short of proof

They rather embarassed the Dems with their weak legal case.
There was *plenty* of chicanery by SOS Blackwell, though, such as delaying the certification and all of his registration bull**it.

[Fly by night]

31. 900+ pages of election theft documentation submitted to the court

There was nothing "woefully short of proof" provided by the Moss v. Bush team. And when the Ohio AG tried to have the four attorneys sanctioned for filing a "frivolous" lawsuit, the Ohio judge threw out the AG's suit. That decision said three things to me -- either the Moss v. Bush suit was anything but frivolous OR the Ohio judge didn't want their evidence to see the light of day. OR both.

You can review some of the 900+ pages of evidence in "Did George W. Bush Steal The 2004 Election? Essential Documents. (available from www.freepress.org). Some of that proof was also included in the Conyers report, which I'm sure you've read (right?).

So read these two "woefully (for the country) long" reports and join the rest of us in the "reality-based" conflict to save our democracy from election thieves, 'k?

[Kolesar]

53. The sanction was tossed because there is no provision in Ohio law

...to sanction an attorney on electoral issues. There are provisions for sanctioning attorneys for other sorts of frivolous lawsuits.

How do you think it would have played out if Kerry activists would have moved to get Ohio into the Dem column after Bush scored than 3 million more votes than Kerry? It would never have flown. Only republicans win presidential elections with a minority of votes.

[Fly by night]

54. I think it would have brought attention to the evidence ...

... of widespread election theft activities in at least a dozen states (maybe two dozen), all of which has been well-documented on this forum since November 3. That would have put the lie to Bush's invisible "mandate".

Duh-bya's record is intact -- his only true man-date is Jeff Gannon.

[roseBudd]

37. Most of the counties in the 2nd District are punchcard (Triad & ES&S)...

and Clermont is ES&S optiscan ballots. Will be interesting to see if Warren County tries to block independent observation of the vite tally. Someone email [e-mail] to ask what the Enquirer plans to do if there is a repeat of Nov. 2.

[NNN0LHI]

11. I support this troop n/t

[Politicub]

13. Tell it like it is!

Bush is a desserter. Hackett went to war for his country.

Bush looks like even more of an asshole next to Hackett.

:rofl:

[zbdent]

14. When Repukes try to spin the idea that he got a cushy desk job in a safe

zone, ask them why they don't apply for the same job? Why are the enlistments so far behind the goals?

Why are all the reporters who say "Gee, what a great job America is doing in Iraq!" afraid to leave their hotel rooms in the "green zone"?

[bunkerbuster1]

15. Nice, getting that term in the lede.

I saw this quote in a story yesterday, good that that Times has picked it up and run with it.

It would be sooooo sweet to wrest this seat from the Reeps. I know it's probably dreaming, but damn--this would be huge.

[kestrel91316]

16. Careful, Mr. Hackett ..................

or they will recall you to the Marines and ship your librul ass off to Fallujah!

Stay out of small planes, too.

[Rainscents]

17. I'll be watching this race closely... I hoping that, he'll kick Schmidt

ass... Boy this will send loud and clear messages to all Republicans if Hackett's kick her ass!!! :kick:

[madmom]

20. The spin has already started....

I read yesterday that they are saying, yes but...he wasn't in a combat situation. Silly me I thought all of Iraq was a combat situation!

[StaggerLee]

23. Yeah yeah yeah

And Kerry never was wounded in combat...

and Max Cleland is just hiding his limbs somewhere in his house.

These wannabees never cease to amaze me.

[Blue_Tires]

21. wow

if he doesn't post here, he certainly does lurk!

[deadparrot]

22. A quick way to pick up a House seat before 2006...

and a great candidate, too, it seems.

If he does win, I think he'll get a good amount of national attention, which can never hurt.

Good luck, Mr. Hackett!

[LeftNYC]

24. Hackett for President! nt

[number6]

25. best of luck, Mr. Hackett!

:toast::patriot:

[One_of_8]

26. He'd have my vote, if I lived in his district!

I read the Salon article on him today, and was very impressed.

On the issues, the candidates both describe themselves as fiscal conservatives, but on the Iraq war and the so-called moral values questions, they stand in stark relief. Hackett is a critic of Bush's Iraq war policy and believes America was led to war unnecessarily. Schmidt is a strong backer of Bush's handling of the war. Hackett is pro-choice. Schmidt is president of Cincinnati Right to Life. Schmidt voted against gay marriage in the Ohio House of Representatives, while Hackett's take is: "Gay marriage -- who the hell cares?"

Hackett, who is married, says he doesn't feel the need to defend his marriage through the national Defense of Marriage Act, or any other anti-gay marriage legislation. "If you're gay you're gay -- more power to you," he said. "What you want is to be treated fairly by the law and any American who doesn't think that should be the case is, frankly, un-American.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/07/26/hackett_schmidt/index.html

I was so impressed that I even donated to his campaign. Not much, but hopefully there are a lot of others like me doing just the same.

[WhiteTara]

27. Good Luck Paul Hackett

:kick:

[karlrschneider]

29. Can Paul Hackett?

Hope so! :D

Just maybe people will hear the truth spoken bluntly as it ought to be.

[wicket]

30. The repukes are already trying to Swiftboat him

http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/7/27/144642/335

1.) A local conservaitve radio host started by questioning Paul Hackett's service to country. Scott Sloan of WLW 700 AM in Cincinnati went off on some insane rant about the real level Paul's patriotism regarding the war in Iraq and claimed Hackett was using his service for "political purposes."
Over the past two days, Republicans have been calling into talk radio across the district saying things like, "Paul wasn't really a Marine Corps Major in Iraq." It's a coordinated effort, as I am hearing from people that similar lines are being repeated and repeated by radio callers in and out of the district.

2.) The "swift boating" is picking up steam, and we have to fight back. I sat no less than five feet away from a reporter from a cable news outlet that asked, "Some say that this was all a plan on your part. To go to Iraq and come back with this great story while running for congress."

Less than 30 minutes ago, a reporter from CBS asked about Eric Minameyer's question, and yes, questioned Paul's service to his country.

3.) A few days ago, an Amry Private First Class was burried in Fairfield, Ohio. Within 24 hours, a number of flags were burned and tossed into a pile infront of his mother and father-in law's home. As you can imagine, this incident has led to a lot of press and sadness for the family.

The same host above, Scott Sloan, attempted to tie Paul Hackett to the flag burning incident. He said that it was people like Paul Hackett that allow things like this to happen.

Much more at the link. Give 'em hell Hackett! :kick:

[Pacifist Patriot]

32. This is exactly why I am so reluctant to run despite

a small corps of very sweet and dedicated people urging me to do so. I have no skeletons in my closet but that doesn't prevent anyone from stuffing a few in to drag out at their convenience. I don't know if I could handle the dirty tactics.

[radar]

34. I saw that mentioned on Steve Gilliard's blog...

Here we go again. Now they're questioning Paul Hackett's service in Iraq. I gave $25. I'm going to kick in another $50. This shit is ridiculous.
He's not really serving in Iraq
http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2005/07/never-again.html

*Now, it seems, some soldiers are more equal than others in the eyes of republicans.
...Just another proverbial straw of reasons recruiting sucks. Go in harm's way only to be pissed on back home for having a different opinion from the in-crowd.

[Barkley]

33. I can't vote for him, but my parents can and will!

What a relief and a welcome breath of fresh air in the place you'd least expect it.

My parents are in his district and are going to vote for him.

[Justitia]

35. yea! Good on your parents! -eom

[GeorgeBushytail]

36. Sewer Boat Wannabee Minamyer's Blog has 95% anti-Schmidt comments

http://ericminamyer.myblogsite.com/blog

I am teapot dome in the 7/25 and 7/26 threads.

This Mini-Rove stepped into quite a hornet's nest.

[OhioBlue]

56. Minamyer lays off...

He finally concedes that Hackett did perform in a combat situation in Iraq.

[VegasWolf]

38. Good. Straight speaking is what is necessary. No more nuances. nt

[Barrett808]

39. Is this in a GOP-Gerrymandered district?

Just askin'.

[OhioBlue]

43. yes it is.

he has a shot tho - the Republican scandals in Ohio are thick. Not sure how much they are being covered in that area, but a local rightwing newspaper recently endorsed him. If he wins it will be HUGE for Ohio!!!

[Toucano]

45. Are there any other kind of districts?

[lyonn]

40. This vote could be a barometer of things to come

Will the Repubs in that area be affected by the questioning of Rove's part in pushing this war?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

41. Hackett For Congress website

http://www.hackettforcongress.com/

Can everyone pony up a contribution? Those MFers are swift-boating him...

[Robeson]

42. Love this from the article.....

..."Mr. Hackett has been bluntly dismissive of Mr. Bush, saying the United States should have focused on capturing Osama bin Laden instead of invading Iraq so quickly. In a public forum, he called Mr. Bush the biggest threat facing the United States, a remark that has infuriated voters, Republicans say."

Talk about refreshing.

[TacticalPeek]

46. I love this guy's instinct to attack.

Schmidt commends Hackett for his service, but believes Hackett should "stand with the president" by "supporting the Iraqi war effort and our troops that are over there," her campaign manager Joe Braun said. (Through Braun, Schmidt declined to speak with Salon.) When asked to answer that charge, Hackett is blunt: "The only way I know how to support the troops is by going over there." He doesn't hesitate to criticize Schmidt's support of the war: "All the chicken hawks back here who said, 'Oh, Iraq is talking bad about us. They're going to threaten us' -- look, if you really believe that, you leave your wife and three kids and go sign up for the Army or Marines and go over there and fight. Otherwise, shut your mouth."

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/07/26/hackett_schmidt/index_np.html


Wesley Clark has endorsed him, Max Cleland is out there helping - hey, DNC, DLC, DCCC and the rest of the alphabet: how 'bout grabbing a weapon and stand to post?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1960872

[wicket]

47. I hope he keeps giving them hell!

He rocks!!!!

:kick:

:kick:

[Lecky]

58. Wow, Hackett is on fire!

I saw Schmidt in an interview the other day, her #1 talking point seemed to be that she stood behind Bush. She was also inferring that people in that area don't really care about Iraq (like that's supposed to be a good thing).

God, I hope that backfires in her face.

[pfitz59]

69. Yes, please give him a voice!

The Chimperor has no clothes! Tell it like it is Mr. Hackett!

[Emendator]

48. Very good

People like him will help tremendously. He's right, Bush is a chickenhawk. And a chickensh*t.

[Toucano]

49. Mr. Hackett probably just doubled his campaign bank account.

Rock on!

[Cha]

50. bushits do NOT want

Paul Hackett in Congress..can you imagine Paul Hackett having a national voice.

Time to bring out the diebolds, phone messages from fuckhead, Smear an Iraqi Veteran, ..you know the usual..Lie, Cheat, And Steal.

I hope the other Vets get a load of this Vet getting Smeared!!

[muchacho]

51. give this guy a few dollars!!

[OhioBlue]

55. kick n/t

[NewJeffCT]

57. when is the election?

even a close race will be a slap in the face to Bush.

[CAcyclist]

59. Donated $100.01 nt

[blueblitzkrieg]

60. He's great.

I've listened to him on Ed Schultz a couple times, and he sounds great. Level-headed, articulate and intelligent. Glad he's a Dem.

[Moderator]

61. kick

[Joanne98]

62. Iraq War Veteran Makes Run For Rob Portman's Seat Interesting

By Barry M. Horstman
Post staff reporter



As the Democratic nominee in a southwestern Ohio district that Republicans have dominated for the past three decades, Paul Hackett could reasonably be expected to view his race in next week's special 2nd Congressional District as his toughest battle, personal or professional, of 2005.

It isn't, by far, Hackett says.

"I know that no matter what happens, I'll be going home with all my fingers and toes," Hackett said. "I couldn't say that with certainty a few months ago."

Hackett, who until March was a Marine reservist in Iraq, would, if elected, become the only member of Congress to have served in the war. As a congressman, Hackett, a 43-year-old Indian Hill lawyer, then would be exempt from another tour of duty when his Marines unit returns to Iraq next year.


http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050730/NEWS01/507300402

[Joanne98]

63. Schmidt sacrifices "Condo" to serve her country. LOL

Neither is Schmidt, who has spent more than $200,000 of her own money in her campaign and has outraised Hackett by a 3-to-1 margin. "That money was for a condo in Florida," said Schmidt, the wife of a stockbroker with whom she has a 27-year-old daughter. "So we're not buying that condo now

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!


http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...

[noamnety]

64. That would make a good LTTE topic

You should write up a note about her sacrifice to her country and send it in to them.

[Joanne98]

66. Great idea. That's so funny!

[noamnety]

68. actually, would you mind

if I sent one also along the same subject?

It's just such perfect framing!

[Joanne98]

70. Thankyou. Please do.

[noamnety]

71. Thank you! I'm sending this:

As most of us know by now, when Paul Hackett talks about sacrifice and commitment to one's country, he's referring to leaving his family and risking his life in a war zone in order to serve his country. I was glad to see the Cincinnati Post give equal time to Jean Schmidt's sacrifice for her country, which is too often glossed over. I just wanted to say how truly heroic and noble it is that she has sacrificed a condo in Florida. She is an inspiration to patriots everywhere.

XXXX XXXX
U. S. Army (1984 - 1992)

[Straight Shooter]

73. LOL.

Made my day.

[Joanne98]

76. I love it. Who did you send it to?

[noamnety]

78. I sent it to the editor of the post

Since it was responding to an article in their own paper.

[Lecky]

79. LOL that's awesome

[pfitz59]

72. Advertise this to Ohio voters!

"Condo in Flori-duh?" Sounds like she's totally committed to making OHIO a better place to live! (So much so that she was planning to leave!) Perfect serve for a scorching return!

[noamnety]

74. Good point!

Write it up and send it in to them: [e-mail]

(I'd offer, but I just sent the other one)

[Joanne98]

77. Someone should make a flyer! SACRIFICE Hackett Iraq/Schmidt/condo

I'd do it but I don't know how.

They could copy the pictures off of this flyer.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=172x7179

[noamnety]

81. I just made one

I made a new thread for it in the ohio forum, so people don't have to wait for it to load everytime they check this thread.

[nickshepDEM]

65. I really hope Hackett wins. He is a fine American and would make..

One hell of a Congressman.

[Joanne98]

67. Linking to my Paul Hackett thread in Ohio Forum

I will be updating this through out the day...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=172x7236

[mod mom]

75. Rethug able to pour $200,000+ of own $ into campaign.

"Mr. Hackett's Republican opponent, Jean Schmidt, has poured more than $200,000 of her own money into her campaign "

enough said.

[Joanne98]

80. Everybody. Guy James is asking what we want on his show.

Tell him we want him to plug Paul Hackett. His show is on tonight.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4226541