Previously posted by BamaLefty: SEND AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN TO CONGRESS!

[Telly Savalas]

"A few months back, when the gas topped out at $2.40 or $2.50, I didn’t pay that price. I was in Iraq. I saw how high the price really was." -Paul Hackett



Here's BamaLefty's post (It's archived so I can't kick it, otherwise I would.):

THIS IS BIG, IMO! Think about having an Iraq war vet on our side in Congress. Very, very powerful!!

Paul Hackett knows what's at stake for all Americans.

As a major in the United States Marine Corps, he left his wife and children in Ohio to serve in Iraq. Paul opposed the war from the beginning, but he answered the call to duty and served his commander in chief in Falluja.

Now he needs your help to get to Congress. Last March, President Bush appointed Hackett's Republican congressman to the post of U.S. Trade Representative -- setting up a special election. Paul saw his chance, and decided to run for Congress to combat right-wing extremism here at home.

This race represents a tremendous opportunity and an important first step toward taking back Congress in 2006. The special election is being held on August 2, 2005. This is an election we can win, but Paul Hackett needs your help to do it:

http://www.actblue.com/list/hackett

Hoping to tighten their grip on power in Washington, Republicans have recruited a candidate whose extreme views reflect loyalty to the White House and not to the voters in Ohio. As president of Greater Cincinnati Right to Life, Hackett's opponent is already an active member of the conservative crusade to erode reproductive rights -- as well as a staunch supporter of a state legislative bill encouraging the display of the Ten Commandments in Ohio's public schools.

Unlike Republicans in Washington, Hackett has the experience to bring the war in Iraq to a swift and secure resolution. America needs socially progressive, fiscally responsible leadership -- and that's why we need Paul Hackett in Congress. He supports measures to promote small business growth and sustainable environmental policy. We are proud to add him to the DFA-List.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/dfa-list.php

By electing Hackett, we can score a victory for progressive values and give Iraq war veterans their first voice in Congress. This is an uphill battle in the heart of Ohio, but it's an election we can win if we give Hackett the resources he needs -- and this election will bring us one step closer to taking our country back in 2006 and 2008.

http://www.actblue.com/list/hackett

Thanks for helping our next generation of leaders succeed.

Sincerely,

Jim Dean

PS: Paul would be the first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. And he's a Democrat. Think about the message that would send, and contribute what you can.

http://www.actblue.com/list/hackett

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4143386#4161253

[deadparrot]

1. Just wondering...what are his chances?

Have there been any polling numbers out? I've done a few searches, but have been largely unsuccessful.

[Telly Savalas]

2. Sorry to say I have no idea.

:shrug:

[democracyindanger]

3. Hackett doesn't have enough money for polling and

Schmidt says that she hasn't. It's a heavy GOP district--I think they went 65% for the humanzee in 2004. But Schmidt is embroiled in a campaign contribution scandal, which isn't a great thing to be stuck in considering Ohio's Coingate.

He's a longshot, but he's making up ground fast.

[Spike from MN]

5. Sounds like a job for moveon.org, ACT, etc.

This guy did his duty and served his country despite his opposition to the war. Tough for the Repugs to answer to that except with their $$ of course. The best way for this guy to counter that will most likely be to get support from large organizations like moveon, etc. And DU of course. ;)

[Tommymac]

6. He only has a week...

the election is Next Tuesday.

[Tommymac]

4. Done.

Sent 25.01 ... Hope it helps...

[Tommymac]

7. Kick. Position on Economy

And recommended - please check this guy out. We can make a difference - but we only have a week.

His position on the Economy:
http://hackettforcongress.com/index.php?page=display&id=67
Economy

"America gives us all the opportunity to be successful and small businesses are the lifeblood of American ingenuity. More than half of our work force is employed by companies of five hundred or fewer workers. That's why I believe we should redirect the tax break and financial incentives going to big corporations to our small businesses.

Giving a boost to small businesses is denounced as “big government.” But when a huge oil company receives a taxpayer subsidy, it’s hailed as “good government” and “growing the economy.” That’s Un-American. That’s wrong.

I’m a small-business owner. I have five employees. When Hackett Law Offices has a bad month, we don’t fire half the staff and then get a handout from the government for doing it.

Yet that’s exactly what’s happening with American corporations. The government is offering financial incentives to corporations for outsourcing our jobs overseas.

Those are our tax dollars. They should benefit us, the American taxpayers. They shouldn’t be funneled to some large corporation with an American name and an offshore bank account that is relocating thousands of jobs a hemisphere away.

Outsourcing our country’s intellectual and technological wealth not only puts our economy at risk, but also our national security. An example of this dangerous practice is the partnership the United States has with Egypt to build M1A1 battle tanks. It’s bad for jobs. It’s bad for national security. It’s bad for the economy.

What’s more, government funding for scientific research is declining for the first time in years. So while big business is enjoying bigger and bigger tax breaks, we’re stunting the growth of American innovation. That’s also bad government, and bad leadership.

It’s time to re-examine our priorities and remember just what it is that makes America great. "