Posted on 07/26/2005 8:10:45 AM PDT by Right_at_RiceU
Dogfight in Ohio A Marine who fought in Fallujah is trying to become the first Iraq war vet to serve in Congress -- and give Democrats hope that Ohio is not permanently lost.
Paul Hackett remembers being in Kuwait, waiting to be shipped home after a seven-month tour of duty in Ramadi and Fallujah, watching CNN America with his fellow Marines. What he saw enraged him. "All I saw on TV was Terri Schiavo," he says. "The federal government and the Florida state government came screeching to a halt to intervene into the private lives of this family during this tragic time ... Like that scene out of 'Network,' I felt like the guy who stood in the spotlight and said, 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.'" Not long after he returned to Ohio, he decided to run for Congress.
Hackett, a 43-year-old personal injury lawyer and Marine Reserve major who volunteered for service in the Iraq war, has little prior political experience, only having served as a city councilman in a small town. But he's a contender in a special congressional election taking place in Ohio on Aug. 2 to fill the 2nd District seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman, who's now serving as the U.S. trade representative. Hackett, a Democrat, is surely the underdog. The 2nd District, which includes Cincinnati, has been solidly conservative in a state that's thoroughly dominated by the GOP and that decided the 2004 election for President Bush. His better-funded opponent, Jean Schmidt, is well-connected and, as a former state representative, has a more extensive political résumé. But Hackett hopes his credentials -- Iraq war vet and plain-spoken self-described moderate -- will give him a much-needed edge.
(Excerpt) Read more at salon.com ...
Democrats can win if they run as conservatives. But will they govern that way?
He's a "moderate" which means he's really a liberal. Why vote for him....!
Some may vote Democrat no matter what to teach the liberal Taft administration a lesson.
It might be enough just to see the hippylibs freak out when they see a soldier (whom they seem to hate so much) in a position of leadership ... from their own party no less!
He's also a personal injury lawyer. Not sure how conservitive he is but kudos to him for his service in Iraq.
A lawyer. A Democrat. A liberal.
YEs, and spouting against the Schiavo case could
well LOSE him the race, too! The advocates for
the Schiavo family are adamant in their views.
But who's to blame here...the politicians or the media?
I don't recall anyone beyond Jeb Bush going on TV
repeatedly about a situation that developed in the
state where HE was elected governor. If HE shouldn't
speak out re a Florida family facing the legal system,
who should? And WHEN did the Florida Supreme Court
become moderate?
No, he's not, as I'm certain that Steve Buyer served in that other *little skirmish* in Iraq.
A slip-and-fall lawyer who is still wrapped around the axle about the Schiavo case.
I mean the current war, not the first Gulf War. I should have been more specific. Sorry, no disrespect meant to those who served in the first one.
Hey, Ohio gave us Trafficant, Voinovich, and that weasley weasel who ran for president.....what was his name?
The 2nd District is not going to vote for a 'Rat. Period.
I thought he was American, not "Iraqi"?
He certainly sounds like a Democrat.
I respect and appreciate his service to our country.
What will get him vote is his stance on issues.
Being a personal injury lawyer won't likely sell well in Cinci.
If it were columbus or Cleveland, then MAYBE this guy would have a chance...
Not in Cincy or the 2nd District. This is one of the more conservative areas in the country.
It is one of those areas that no matter WHO is running as a Dem, the guy with the R is going to be the benefit of the doubt, and the votes.
Congratulations.
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