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Thursday, July 28, 2005

OH-02: Paul Hackett National Press

Posted by Bob Brigham

Let's face it, it is a great story. An Iraq War Veteran, running for Congress against all odds. If he loses, he goes back to Iraq. But his straight talk and fresh approach have made the race a nail-biter going into the final days. From Reuters:

WEST UNION, Ohio (Reuters) - Five months after leaving the battle zones of Iraq, Democrat Paul Hackett is waging an uphill fight to make political history in a special election for the U.S. Congress next week.

Hackett, a major in the Marine reserves who served in hot spots like Ramadi and Fallujah, hopes to become the first Iraq war veteran in Congress and the first Democrat to win the heavily Republican 2nd House of Representatives District in southwestern Ohio in more than 30 years.

He is up against tough odds, however, in Tuesday's election to replace Republican Rob Portman, who resigned to become U.S. trade representative. Hackett faces a well-known former state legislator, Jean Schmidt, in a conservative district where Portman regularly rolled up more than 70 percent of the vote.

But his military experience and tough attacks on President Bush's conduct of the war have energized a short seven-week campaign that otherwise would have been a sleepwalk.

Hackett has criticized Bush's decision to invade Iraq and backs intensified training for Iraqi security forces by pairing them with U.S. troops. He condemns Bush's failure to ask Americans at home to share the burdens of war, complaining about politicians who "use the war to wrap themselves in the American flag."

"You can't fight three wars, support the troops and have a tax cut. It's irrational," he said in an interview, calling the administration's approach "patriotism light." Prolonged engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans have strained the economy and military, he said, and "the only people sacrificing are the ones over there."

Damn straight. Hackett doesn't sugar coat it, he doesn't use some lame "stand by Bush" argument, he tells it like it is...and lays out a plan of action. People are supporting this straight talk, you should too. Contribute RIGHT NOW!

Posted at 06:36 PM in Ohio | Technorati

Comments

I'm having questions about another blog site... seems they locked me out... I'll keep you updated.

Posted by: The Smoke eter at July 28, 2005 07:41 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Seems questions are not being answered...

unless they answer I will feel that may right to free speech is being attacked...

just an answer is all I need.

Like I said I'll keep everyone informed.

The Smoke Eater...

Peter A. Deane

Posted by: The Smoke eter at July 28, 2005 09:10 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

To tell you the truth. I have been trying to post on http://blog.oh02.com that's the Ohio blog and all I'm getting is this...

Sorry, but your comment has been flagged as spam by the beta version of the spam filter running on this blog: this might be an error, in which case all apologies. Your comment will be presented to the blog admin who will be able to restore it immediately. I feel as if I'm being blocked out. If that's progressive they can have it. I also emailed Hackett with this note...

Dear Mr. Hackett,

It took me three times until your camp finally sent me your address. I have called with my concerns that my messages are being filtered with OH2. It is a blog site which is trying to carry you to the position of our Representative. My freedom of speech and/or press is being denied by them. Please inform them that I am for you 100% and that my writings are to be displayed without any filters. Trust me as I have trusted you. If you do not trust me and OH2 keeps filtering my writings I will not have any other option but to call them out and try to seek answers from them through any means necessary. This is about the freedom of speech and I care for that and watch for it 105%. I am sure that you understand.

Please reply as soon as you can and not through a volunteer. I have spoken up for you, will you speak for me?

Sincerely,

Peter Deane

P.S. I hope that I'm worrying about nothing. Keep up the good work,

Posted by: The Smoke eter at July 28, 2005 10:44 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment