Ohio Honest Elections has interesting details from Sunday’s Candidates’ Night with Congressman Sherrod Brown:

Reader email regarding last night’s meeting with Sherrod Brown: “A Candidates’ Night with Congressman Sherrod Brown” as the main speaker, sponsored by the Upper Arlington Progressive Action group, proceeded smoothly until a young man rose and asked why Brown was running against Major Paul Hackett after assuring the Iraq veteran that he had no intention of challenging DeWine’s senate seat. The questioner was concerned about a primary struggle, with Democrats fighting Democrats instead of Republicans. Brown responded that circumstances changed his mind, that Hackett had also changed his mind after once saying that he would go back to Iraq if he lost his bid for office. Hackett is presently on military maneuvers and not responding to anyone.

After that, the moderator tried valiantly to keep the agenda on discussion of “Reform Ohio Now.” However, there were other questions relating to concerns over a Democratic primary between Brown and Hackett. As soon as the meeting was adjourned, lively confrontations erupted pertaining to citizen concerns around two excellent candidates engaging in mortal combat that should all be directed toward defeating Mike DeWine in 2006.

Unfortunately, even though there were numerous front row seats reserved for media, no reporters seemed to be present to observe the defensiveness of the Brown defenders and insistence that, if there was a primary, it would all be Hackett’s fault. But they were sure Hackett would agree to running for another office, and within a couple of weeks there would be no more questions, since they were absolutely positive Brown would be the superior candidate, and everyone would be happy about it.

Hopefully, Sherrod Brown may profit from this experience since there is no doubt that he is just beginning to realize the serious divisiveness of the situation.