Ohio 2nd Blog

Just got an anonymous tip in that Paul Hackett was seen yesterday running a 5 minute mile pushing his boys in a walker while sporting a Hackett for Congress t-shirt. After the race he was asked by WLW’s Billy Cunningham if he was running again. Hackett said he wasn’t ruling anything out but he wasn’t ruling anything in either.

Never a dull moment in the OH02.

(now with better audio from Yellow Dog Sammy)

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Paul Hackett formally endorsed Sherrod Brown today. It was great to finally see the two of them together. Connie Schultz and Suzi Hackett both seemed relieved that this was happening when I talked to them. They are the two people that I think have the best window on this whole drama.

The event started with an introduction from Cincinnati’s Mayor Mark Mallory. The whistling at the beginning is Paul getting everyone’s attention. All sounded in great form. I’ve missed covering candidate Paul. I’m sorry for the audio quality. Yellow Dog Sammy is supposed to have better quality audio so I’ll link to that when I can.

This is more than about Paul. This is more than about Sherrod. We need to be greater than the baser elements of our natures. That’s what civilization is all about. Today felt very good.

One group that gets a lot of credit for all this is the Clermont County Dems, who have been fighting to make this happen for months.

More pics over @ the site’s Flickr account.

More coverage:

• David Hammer @ AP > Hackett Backs Brown in Ohio Senate Race
• Muffet @ BSB > A Hot-headed Irishman Apologizes
• The FIx > Ohio Senate Race Looking Better For Dems?
• Howard Wilkinson @ The Enquirer > Sherrod Brown and Hackett make nice

UDPATE:

• PD Openers > Indian Hill Love Call
• Howard Wilkinson @ The Enquirer > Hackett embraces former rival

BTW, the Enquirer talks about the swiftboating rumors. The person that I was told from several sources was spreading the rumors left the campaign after it became known. I’ve heard that he was fired but I’m not sure. It would have been good if Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid had nipped that story in the bud as soon as Paul compained about it to them back in December.

There are a lot of bad apples who work political campaigns. Karl Rove wannabies. Just got to keep a watch out for them. They do way more harm than good.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Ohio2006 has a transcript.

UPDATE: See here

Over a month ago I had reached out to the Sherrod Brown campaign about doing a one on one interview with Sherrod Brown. Up till now they had denied any requests to be interviewed by members of the Ohio blogosphere. Still, even though I was one of Sherrod Brown’s strongest critics during the primary, Connie Schultz always made a point to thank me for being fair. This made me think that there was a slight chance that they would say yes. Surprisingly enough they did, and this Saturday they were able to fit some time in at their hotel in Columbus.

This was the 3nd time that I met Congressman Brown and his wife. The first time was back during the Senate primary when I was writing some of my hardest posts on his campaign. Even so, when we met, we exchanged kind words to each other. The day of the interview I found Sherrod Brown and Connie Schultz to be extremely nice people. While I was setting up Congressman Brown asked me about where I lived, and my family. He was particularly interested in my Grandfather who was elected a Democratic State Senator in Indiana the same year that Kennedy became President. He noticed my copy of Ron Suskind’s The One Percent Doctrine amongst my things while I was unpacking. We spent some time talking about what a tragic figure Colin Powell was.

There were no rules. The Congressman did not know the questions in advance. I stopped taping several times for technical reasons, and once at the end to take pictures. There were only two chairs in the room so he ended up making a makeshift chair out of a footrest and a pillow while myself and a staffer sat down. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t have it since I was operating the equipment.

For this interview I decided to ignore all of the static that I had heard and read from other people about Sherrod Brown and the Senate primary, and just talk to him about what I wanted to talk about… issues that matter to me: How he’s going to beat Mike DeWine. What he would do to turn this country around. I didn’t get into blogging in order to debate who said what to whom in some private conversation at a Christmas party I wasn’t at. As an independent entity I like being relatively isolated from the behind the scenes sturm und drang that most political staffers and wonks obsess about. I didn’t enjoy it back in High School, and I don’t want to blog about it now.

Having now had a chance to interview at length Paul Hackett and Sherrod Brown the thing that strikes me is the intense level of self-confidence they both have. The political sports fan in me loved the clash this produced… the foul mouthed gun toting marine and the crusty old labor street fighter. It was one hell of a fight. Unfortunately, as do all really good fights, it left a lot of lasting damage.

In another time and another place they would have played well off of each other. Anti-war liberals, and pro-military (real) conservatives… these are the two groups that we need to bring together in order to truly change our country… the great bridge as I like to call it. For a time it looked like we were going to build that bridge. Maybe we still can.

In the end I came away very impressed with Congressman Brown. When I listen to him talk, I think how much I would love to have him as my Senator. I don’t care what the polls say. If we have a chance to get someone like that in our corner we’ve got to fight like hell to make it happen, regardless of the past, and no matter what the odds. Besides, I’m really itching for a rematch with Karl Rove.

Bring it on, baby

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OH02: Hi, this is Chris Baker, editor of the Ohio 2nd Blog, and I’m sitting in the hotel room next to Sherrod Brown’s hotel room (laughter) interviewing him about the race for Senate. How ya doing Congressman?

Sherrod Brown: Good, thanks. Glad to be with you.

OH02: First off, thanks for letting me do this. It’s very cool. I appreciate that a lot.

Sherrod Brown: Thank you for the substance that you bring to this race, and thanks for your progressive outlook on the world.

(more…)

Paul’s on Hardball (5pm) and Larry King tonight.

BizzyBlog has caught Paul Hackett sightings in two national stories: filing a class action lawsuit over the VA data loss, and being interviewed in relation to the Haditha events.

BTW, check out Paul Rieckhoff reading from his book Chasting Ghosts for some idea of the atmosphere.

Also, Murtha has been on a tear on this issue.

The latest Plunderbund podcast features Oh02′s favorite candidate for nothing, Paul Hackett. Renee in Ohio has been cool enough to transcribe the interview. Good stuff.

This section stands out:

When I was running last year in the 2nd congressional district in southern Ohio, I can’t tell you the number of elected officials from the state level and the national level that, as my campaign, after the primary, began to catch a little bit of traction, would call up and plead with me–*plead* with me not to make the race a referendum. Plead with me not to be critical of George Bush, and plead with me not to be critical of the war in Iraq. Because in their vast failed experience, it was a losing way to fight the race. They *begged* me to just stay silent about my criticism on Bush, and they *begged* me to just stay quiet on my criticism on the war in Iraq.

And if you go back a year ago now, you’ll see Bush’s approval rating was above 50%, and there were *no* national–*zero* national Democratic leaders that were taking on the president on the war in Iraq. Not Harry Reid, not Chuck Schumer, not Nancy Pelosi, not Jack Murtha. Not a one of them! Not a one of them except for, forgive me if I sound like I’m blowing my own horn, one loud-mouthed Marine who’d just come back from fighting in Iraq, who was quoted on the front page of the New York Times, calling President Bush a chickenhawk, and telling the American people that it’s a resounding failure what’s going on. And then some months after that, Congressman Murtha had the temerity to stand up, without, may I add, the approval or Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel and Chuck Schumer–

BTW, I believe that, Michael Wood, the guy who coined the term candidate for nothing has accepted a gig with Shamansky in the 12^th as Communications Director. During the special and senate debacle Wood was usually the first person that I’d bump into at events… the problem was that he wasn’t allowed to talk to me, so it was always a “Mr. Baker”, and that was it. His gig was similar to Charlie’s in the first seasons of West Wing.
Since Mike was often the driver, I wonder if Shamansky will rent out the big ol’ bus. The 12^th has the potential to be a fun one, so congrats on that.

The rumor of Wulsin stepping aside for Hackett won’t die. I’m curious how many times does he have to say no? Back in the primary people thought it was being floated to get votes for Wulsin. Now that we’re in the general it’s to dry up money for Wulsin.

People should get it out of their heads. There’s no love lost between Wulsin and Hackett. (The sightings of her sporting a Sherrod Brown for Senate button back in January might be a clue for the dreamers.) Wulsin has been fighting to win this race for a long time. She’s not going to step down now that she’s secured the nomination, and certainly not for Paul Hackett.

Here’s a rumor I’ve heard that I’d like to see get more play: Paul taking on Tim Burke for Hamilton County Democratic Chair. We need a strong Party operation in Hamilton County if we want to have a chance in the 1st (and 2nd). The situation on the ground in Hamilton County is a disaster by almost everyone’s account. Maybe a strong leadership fight would light a fire under people’s behinds.

(via Andrew Warner)

BTW, why the heck is she helping to give this thing legs?

“I do feel that I am the stronger candidate, but I also recognize that he is well known and I am not, and because I would prefer him to Jean, sure, I’d think about it,” she said, adding that it’s an “interesting” idea but no one has asked her to discuss the issue or to step aside.

This just in from the Warren County Dems:

Paul Hackett joined an enthusiastic crowd of more than 50 volunteers at the Warren County Democratic party headquarters in Lebanon. After teams and precincts had been assigned, Paul addressed the crowd. He spoke of the importance of this grassroots effort to reach out to our fellow Democrats. And he challenged us to continue to strengthen our Party by building and organizing at the local and county level. And then we hit the streets! See attached pictures. Today was a huge success. Targeted precincts were canvassed, hundreds of Dems were touched personally for the first time in years. And dozens of those signed up to volunteer efforts for the coming Election season. Watch us grow in Southwest Ohio!

We had the fifty or so volunteers show up this morning at 8:30 and found that at least 70% had canvassing experience. Besides Paul and Suzi, 2nd District congressional candidates Jim Parker, Gabby Downey and Thor Jacobs showed up and not only wished us well, but contributed volunteers and joined in the canvass effort. 3rd District candidates Studebaker and Fierst also showed up and Fierst stayed and canvassed to the bitter end. State Central Committee candidates Steve Spraley and Maria Ferro canvassed and special thanks to Maria’s son Matt for taking the pictures.

We targeted 11 Precincts with high Democrat active voter counts that do not have a Precinct Captain. In those 11 precincts we have nearly 2000 Democrats. Teams of four were given their target precinct, walking lists, maps, a script and the DNC provided door hangar. Volunteers got additional literature appropriate to their State legislative district and were free to carry and distribute other candidates literature as well.

But this was not about a lit drop. My report from my targeted precinct:

Precinct # 5 in Franklin… 128 active Democrats in a middle class neighborhood. Small neat single family, duplex homes and apartment buildings in the central part of the city of Franklin. We arrived at a little after 10:00 and began knocking on doors. Found about 50% of the folks at home. We introduced ourselves by name and as Democrats who lived in Warren County. Our reason for calling on them was simple. This was an effort to reach out to our neighbors in a personal way, to ask them what they wanted the Democratic Party in Warren County, in Ohio, and nationally to address. We were not there to tell them what the Democratic Party had determined was good for them. We were there so the Democratic Party could find out.

You can imagine what we heard: Jobs, energy, gas prices, the war in Iraq, corruption. Education and how its funded, the environment. Jobs, living wages, immigration. Jobs. Healthcare. Jobs. At one house we were told that the person we were talking with had a brother who died fighting in Iraq. Guess what was her most important issue. We promised to take their messages back to Lebanon, to our local Party and candidates. We also promised to carry their messages to the state Party and candidates and to the national Democratic Party. We asked that they find a way to help us. Volunteer to take responsibility for communicating with the other Dems on their street through a phone tree. Or post a yard sign for a candidate or issue. Help us to canvass other neighborhoods. We got a very good response. Nearly 50 % of those asked responded with a commitment to help.

Four hours later, we had completed our canvass and headed back to the HQ in Lebanon. There we found other teams had reported similar results. We grabbed some lunch and “hotwashed” the mission as Major Hackett would say. Final tabulations are not in, but we know we have dozens of new volunteers; hundreds of Democrats that had not seen or heard from the Warren County Party in years, now had had a visit. We’ll follow up with calls, e-mails, post cards and more visits.

Chris, you know I firmly believe this is how we make our Party strong and responsive and relevant. Sure, today it was preaching to the choir. But we got stronger, better at doing the grunt work. Better at meeting and listening to our neighbors. As we grow our numbers, we will more quickly finish our missionary work among the already saved. Then we can reach out to our non aligned neighbors. Same strategy: “What’s important to you? What should a political party do to make your world better? If we decide to do those things, will you help us?”

It’s not a quick or easy fix. I am tired, exhausted. We all are. But it is satisfying work. We’re getting stronger. It’s worth every step.

That’s what it’s all about.

One of the great political marketing ideas is just about over. Yes… the Hackett bus is being stripped of all the graphics and will soon be nothing more than another RV.

The Hackett campaign got slammed early on over purchasing the bus. Problem is that no one bothered to fact check the story. The campaign didn’t buy the bus, Hackett did. So it ended up being a good deal for everyone. The campaign got a convenient mode of transportation with lots of free advertising, and the candidate got something that he could vacation in when the race was all over. Now that he’s done begging for people’s money he can use it for what it was intended for, having fun with his family.

Interestingly enough rumors are still flying about the damn RV. It’s almost risen to the status of Elvis with people seeing candidates stepping in and out of it and driving it all over Ohio. Maybe Paul should start a bus company.

Paul Hackett was live-blogging on DKos for Kentucky 3rd Congressional candidate Andrew Horne when this story came up in the comments:

Re our girl Jean. Funny story. On Saturday moring my family and I were driving south on Rt 68 heading to Ripley, OH when all of a sudden I passed Jean Schmidt in her Chevy Blazer. There are quite a few dem stickers on our car including one that reads “Vote Hacket, August 2nd.” So we see Jean and my daughter in the back of the car is going nuts sing the wicked witch of the north song from the Wizard of Oz, we start to slow down and as we keep slowing Jean keeps slowing. Finally we come to the intersection of 68 and Rt. 52, right on the Ohio river and Jean pulls up along side us. She rolls down the window, my wife rolls her down as Jean is on the passenger side, and she hollers out “Paul I just want to tell you, what they did to you was a disgrace and I tell everyone what a great American you are.” I say Jean, no big deal that’s politics, and by the way your primary opponent Bob McEwan called me the other day to talk about his upcoming debate against you, at which point her driver sadi “McEwan?” and then flashed the middle finger. Beautiful. So all the way home my kids are asking me “what did that mean Dad when he put his middle finger up in the air.” That’s our girl Jean.

I don’t know what’s the most amazing aspect of this story… Bob McEwen seeking debate advice from Paul… Paul giving it… Schmidt telling him what a great American he is?! Hoever, the driver middle finger part doesn’t surprise me at all.

BTW, I can confirm that this is really a story that Paul tells.