On a semi-related note, I’m amazed at how many typos I post that have to get fixed. Thank God I can just go in and fix them, hopefully before you see them. :–>

I was going to throw in a dig about how he at least pays his taxes, but I’ll resist…….

Withdrawal? Jesus! Call me an elitist, but as a matter of principal an elected leader’s first qualification should be the ability to communicate properly.

– (Your #1, #2, and #4) Money from contributors. It’s one thing to run an insurgent campaign while the establishment opposes you, and it’s another to run one when it is proactively sabotaging you. I don’t think he could have expected the sabotage, which is frankly out of bounds (and ought to be explored as to its legality, but I’m sure no one will), and has alienated countless Democrat voters in the 24 hours since it’s become known. I think a political contributor knows that almost anything can happen in politics, and you take your lumps. I doubt that Hackett took in much money in the last 4 days. and I think if anyone pushed him on the 9th vs. 13th issue, he’d give that person their money back. Of course I don’t know that, but I don’t think Hackett is all about the money, as it appears you may. Anyway, OH02 is reporting that Hackett’s announcement is dated today, so I think the entire point about post-decision contributions is moot unless you have PROOF (bring it on if you do) that Hackett really decided to withdraw last Thursday.

(Your #3) I wasn’t particularly happy with how Sanders got treated last spring, BUT (and I have only learned this in the past month or so), Charles Sanders hasn’t lived in the 2nd District for years. If you followed my objections to McEwen’s candidacy last year, you’d know that’s a big deal to me, and I don’t understand why it’s not a big deal to everyone else. Sanders really had no business running in a district he didn’t reside in, and I therefore can’t feel too badly about his treatment vis a vis Hackett back in May of last year.

(Your #5) I tend to agree that politicians need to start at the ground floor and move up over time. But you see leapfrogging all the time. Examples: Hillary, Arnold Scharzenegger, Lynn Swann in PA (if he wins), McEwen (out of office for 12 years and expects to just waltz into Congress again), DeWine’s primary opponents this time, President Bush running for Texas governor the first time, Reagan in the 1960s when he ran for California governor for the first time, etc., etc.

So Hackett was attempting a similar move up to the big time, and after appearing on every cable show and Bill Maher, and others, he may have gotten overambitious and a little full of himself. I would have liked to see the voters decide whether he was overreaching, but it’s obvious that the national Democrat establishment did not want a contested primary and would stop at nothing, including active sabotage, to prevent it. I don’t understand what the bleep they were afraid of. I think Hackett’s hands were tied once it was obvious that the establishment was going to work fulltime against him.

1. This guy lied to and defrauded his contributors. How much money did Hackett raise by telling his contributors that he would not cut and run from the Senate race? He gave them his word, then went back on it. Now, he says his word is his bond. Indeed!

2. Now that the quitter has left the race, how much money is he going to give back to the people who believed he was telling them the truth when they donate money to his campaign?

3. Hackett complains about behind the scenes machinations, but he should know about them. Afterall, Hackett was involved in plenty of behind the scenes machinations when he ran for Congress! He was very comfortable sitting in smoke-filled rooms while local Party bosses cut deals to demonize and defame his primary opponents, like Charles Sanders, and promote him. Once the tables turned and Sherrrod Brown became the Party’s goldenboy, Hackett started moaning and groaning about how unfair the Dems have been to him.

4. Why did Hackett’s statement have a release date of Feb. 9? Is it because he knew back then that he was going to quit the race but let his supporters hang on. (I’m sure he collected quite a bit of cash during the last 4 days, too.)

5. What has Hackett done for the Democratic Party? I may not like Mike DeWine, but at least I know some of what he did for the GOP before he decided to run for Senate. He was a County Prosecutor and Lt. Govornor. It’s about time Dems like Hackett who think they can go from their mansion in Indian Hill and serving on a small city council to a seat in the senate get caught a lesson.

I’m glad Hackett is out of politics. I just hope he STAYS OUT!

Bob Bennett’s Stalking Horse?

Just ask their keynote speaker Rich Galen (www.mullings.com) who had to speak over the wails and loud-mouthed, braggadocios comments coming from the tables of Russ Jackson, the man from Virginia [Bob McEwen] and that soft-porn promoting, foul-mouthed blogger that those two read.

No offense to the regular folks that I know in Hamilton County, and most of them will admit that Hamilton County may hold all the money for the GOP, but they are FAR from having a smiden of the class, integrity or leadership that real people have.