About 150 people showed up at the Grassroots Reception for the opening of the Hackett for Ohio office in Columbus.

Hackett’s Speech

This is the best I’ve ever heard Hackett before a crowd. Upbeat. Positive. Focused. The exact opposite of Saturday’s ambush.

I also got a chance to interview Hackett afterwards about the PD story of him secretly being a Republican:

Ohio 2nd: Have you ever voted for a Republican President?

Hackett: I can tell you every President I ever voted for: Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Perot, Perot, Gore, Kerry.

Ohio 2nd: OK Can you name any Republicans you did vote for.

Hackett: Maybe down ticket. Maybe judges . Hamilton, Clermont County.

Ohio 2nd: So when you were on the Milford City Council what Party did you run for?

Hackett: Non Partisan. I never had to declare… I’ve told you this story before. I’ve always called myself an independent until they impeached Clinton. A guy I never voted for. I thought it was B.S. what they did to him. I said, it’s time to choose sides. Call me a Democrat.


During the reception there was a lot of rumors flying around: Did Chuck Schumer really try to scuttle a big cheese fundraiser for Hackett in NYC? Is it true that the Brown/Strickland lovefest is on the rocks and they’re not opening several offices together as planned? Has Sherrod still not been able to hire a Campaign Manager or Field Director? So is it true that there’s still a lot of bad blood over the ODP chair fight?

More:

UPDATE: Renee in Ohio has posted a diary over @ Kos with a transcript.