Ohio's Heart is Democrat, the key is finding it

[yankeefanatic3]

Paul hackett has awoken the country. Now it just has to get out of bed. Schmidt. vs Hackett 06!

[Erika]

1. I couldn't believe Ohio voted against an Iraqi vet

for an elitist big money GOP. Maybe they need to do some soul-searching.

[deadparrot]

2. I wonder if he'll be back from Iraq by then...

or if the military can "fiddle with" the dates so that he's overseas in November of 2006.

Even so, I'd rather see him take on DeWine in the Senate race. You'd have the whole state instead of the painfully red OH-2.

[aquart]

3. Well, maybe if you stopped talking like a Republican...

I'm also sure that Ohio's heart is Democratic...but you won't find it by learning how to speak from Rush and his friends.

Don't EVER let them choose the language. That's like letting them choose the weapons.

[merwin]

4. Ohio's heart is moderate.

It's the exact same reason that Clinton won. He's considered a democrat for one or two key items, when the rest of him is center.

If the Dems run someone who is a moderate liberal, they are SURE to soar.

People here are quick to call people such as the Clintons DINO's. You have to look at the big picture. Just because a person doesn't agree with every far left/progressive ideal out there doesn't mean that they are a DINO.

This country needs more moderates in the short term to take back the current government, and groom the progressives for the future. That's how the neocons took over. Swing the pendulum just fast enough that nobody will notice until it's already happened.

[theHandpuppet]

5. Here we go again

'Nuff said. I surely don't feel like getting into a flame war over DLC rhetoric again.

[merwin]

6. Take a look at something Paul Hackett wrote

"I'm for limiting government. I'm for fiscal responsibility. I'm for a strong national defense. I'm for fair trade. This means I don't need Washington to tell me how to live my personal life of worship my God. And I don't need Washington to dictate what decisions my wife can make with her doctor any more than I need Washington to tell me what guns I keep in my gun safe. I fought for Iraq's freedom, not to come back and have a government tell me I can't have my freedom because the world is too dangerous. Our freedoms are what make America great and desirable to the rest of the world and any government that wants to take away its people's freedoms under the pretense of national security is what makes the world more dangerous."

Sounds pretty moderate to me. Maybe that's the reason he got within 4% of a win in a seat that hasn't even been within 25% in the last 25 years.

If you're running a candidate on the sheer fact that people don't like the person currently in office, he/she will not win. Ever. That person has to have appeal from a good amount of BOTH parties to be a strong candidate. Notice that Hackett HAD support from people in both parties.

[EC]

8. See here's where you confuse me,

these are things the left want too, so how does that make him more moderate...The Dems are the only ones lately that works towards a balanced budget, we want less intrusive government (just different proirities, such as regulations and limits on businesses, not given the rights of people), we don't want to take away anyone's guns, get rid of the Patriot Act, keep out of our bedrooms and doctors offices these are non-issues - what I haven't seen him endorse was big business forming policy, nor endorsement of big pharma, insurance and tort reform. The DLC is of the mind that businesses are the same as people in their rights.

[theHandpuppet]

9. Thank you!

You wrote: "these are things the left want too, so how does that make him more moderate..."

Because the DLC suddenly wants to adopt him and take credit for his near-upset of Schmidt, that's how.

[merwin]

12. They are also ideals that align with the traditional conservative

and moderates.

In reality, there aren't that many differences between progressive and traditional conservative. I can think of abortion, gay marriage, and taxes off hand. Yes, those are VERY important issues that seperate conservatives from progressives, but we are also aligned on a lot of issues.

Much of the reason that Hackett and Clinton did very well among moderates is because they know how to frame the discussion. For example, typical dem politicians respond to the question of "Democrats want to limit gun rights" with "Assault rifles are dangerous and have no practical purpose". A better response would be "We have no intention of taking away your guns or limiting your rights to own a gun." This is an approach that the far right has used very well lately to sidestep questions they have no intention of answering. Answer the question, but use broad terms that don't address the item that they're trying to trap you in.

Let's assume that the following political breakdown is true (probably not exactly correct, but close enough)
Far left: 10%
Progressive: 15%
Moderate liberal: 25%
Independant/moderate: 10%
Moderate conservative: 25%
Neo-conservative: 20%

If you run a progressive candidate, he'll get the vote of the far left, the progressives, a lot of the moderate liberals, and some of the independants.

However, if you run a moderate liberal, he'll get some of the moderate conservatives (if they like his personality), all of the moderate liberal, most of the independant, most of the progressive, most of the far left.

Hackett ran in a VERY STRONG conservative/republican area. He didn't get that close because conservatives are fed up with Bush. He got that close because he appealed to the viewpoints of the whole range of moderates.

I'm still under the opinion that Kerry is generally a moderate liberal, but fell completely into all of the traps that the neocons threw at him to paint him as a far left liberal. He made zero attempt to frame the discussion. He simply responded (in length) to specific accusations, which only gave them more ammo.

[EC]

7. Oh, I don't know

There is still that 40% that didn't vote...I think they are all far left, not moderate...why do I think that? Because they are the ones that say both parties are pretty much the same and because the far right and the moderates are already being represented. The only view that is not being represented (because of fear of being called ....a liberal - oooo that's bad) when in fact those that didn't vote, are looking for just that, a liberal....


I think Mr. Hackett proved, one can speak in anger, presenting reality in raw language, and connect ...

[merwin]

13. Most of them didn't vote because they don't see the that seat

as being very important, or simply didn't even know that there was an election. I think most fall under the first category though.

[tcfrogs]

10. I see almost nothing positive or negative

Ohio is still a battleground state, depends on the region.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Trying To Remake A District In 2 Weeks Is Tough

That's another side of the Paul Hackett story.

Schmidt had the benefit of an organization that had been very visible and operation in that area for the past 30 years. It was a lot of friends and neighbors who saw a bunch of outsiders coming into their turf and they came out to support their local. I'm not trying to give Schmidt credit, it's such a shame the people in Claremont County can't see how they just voted against most of their best interests to vote for someone who is also being sold out.

I'm concerned now that all the Kossacks and other volunteers (who I appreciate the work and dedication) go back home, all that'll be left of the Democratic party in Ohio-2 will be Paul Hackett and not much else.

One area the Democrats need serious work in is developing solid party systems in many of these areas. They've been long written off, thus to think all money and attention...even running an Iraqi vet...and expect to win was a long shot for the simple reason most of these people went with who they knew...a name that's been around for years and is "one of them". A lot of this starts with building up local parties...getting Democrats elected to county offices and building the bridges and trust. It'll take years, but this is what the GOOP has focused on and IMHO it played a big factor in last night's outcome.

Cheers...

[murielm99]

14. Ohio's heart is DEMOCRATIC, not DEMOCRAT.

Use the adjective. Do not use their terms for us.

I am a Democrat. That is a proper noun. I belong to the Democratic Party. Democratic is an adjective.

The gops don't like to call us the Democratic Party. They like to call us the "Democrat" Party. They know that the adjective is the appropriate description of our party. We are more associated with democracy and democratic principles than they are. They are trying to disassociate us from our correct name and our connection to the democratic form of government. Don't let them. They are the fascist fools, drunk with power. They are the disgrace to democracy.

Take back our name. Take back our language.

[Norbert]

15. I don't know what Ohio's heart is but Ohio's brain is not engaged

It's like Ohio gets swatted in the ass with a paddle and they reply, "Thank you sir. May I have another?"