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Friday, August 26, 2005

OH-Sen: Decision Coming Soon

Posted by Tim Tagaris

All eyes are on Marine Corps Major Paul Hackett. Will he run against Senator Mike DeWine, or will he sit it out? I don't think I am talking out of school when I report that I have had a few discussions with two individuals who remain close to the candidate since the run, and they both say we can expect a decision in the near future. And is it any wonder he might consider running? Click on the picture below to get a glance at the breadth of nationwide support Hackett received in his bid for the House. That's what 8,716 individual contributors giving $442,248 in the month of July alone looks like up-close.

Were this Final Jeopardy and I was forced make a guess right now, I think we have our candidate for U.S. Senate. The traditional wisdom is that candidates stepping aside do so before Labor Day. And although Hackett has never operated by conventional wisdom, there are no plans to make an announcement (either way) by that time. Of course, various conversations I have had with people around the state and another uptick in the Hackett media wave fuels my speculation as well. Couple that with a tremendous decrease in Tim Ryan rumors around the state and a potential Democratic candidate for Ryan's seat about to pack in a potential run should Ryan have challenged DeWine put the icing on the cake for me.

The country needs Paul Hackett. I have a good feeling the Marine will rise to the challenge. (Hat-tip to Kombiz for creating the map)

Posted at 01:37 PM in Ohio | Technorati

Comments

Paul H. was on Hardball last night, exuding, exuding, exuding the kind of easy-going charisma and plain-talking good sense that has catapulted this man to a national figure.

His answer on whether or not he's going to run was just right — not cagey or coy or evasive. He said why it's such a tough decision — the age of his children and his desire to see them grow up. It was genuine and heartfelt. Which is at the core of how he expresses himself. Genuine and heartfelt.

I loved it when Chris Matthews said, "Do you want to run against Mike DeWine?" and Paul said, "Sure. Who wouldn't?"

Posted by: Ellen Dana Nagler at August 26, 2005 02:41 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

So what constitutes victory for Hackett in the Senate race, 47-48%?

Posted by: SI Conservative at August 26, 2005 02:42 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

LOL... that's funny.

For met anything less than a 60-40% win for Hackett would be a disappointment. DeWine needs to watch his back. The Ohio GOP has gone canibal.

Posted by: Ohio 2nd at August 26, 2005 03:24 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Run, Paul, RUN!!!

Posted by: Bob Brigham at August 26, 2005 03:43 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

There is money out in the netroots. But, alas, it is limited. He was able to generate all those donations because the OH-2 special election was the only game in town and he was a high-profile Iraq War vet in the race.

He must capitalize on the current climate and announce soon. That way, he'll get all the netroot money before someone else does. Basically, the sooner he announces, they quicker he'll be able to raise netroot money and the more he'll raise being the "only" high-profile one out there right now who excites the blogs.

Posted by: boyblue at August 26, 2005 06:36 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Paul Hackett was the guest of honor today at a small luncheon in Dallas. He spoke at length about his experiences while running in Ohio. Paul is the real deal, someone who speaks from the heart and is very fast on his feet. I definitely do not think that we have seen the last of Paul as a candidate.

Posted by: TexasLefty at August 27, 2005 01:13 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

If Hackett wants to run, he ought to put himself out there now and ask for seed money. The national good will running in his direction right now could provide him with a nice nest egg, and relieve him the time-consuming (and politically corrupting) fundraising.

Hackett got nearly half the vote in the reddest part of Ohio. If he runs a smart campaign, he will clean DeWine's clock.

Kerry got 66% of the vote in Cuyahoga County and 55% in Franklin County; Hackett will do better (percentage-wise) than that against DeWine. Those are the two biggest counties.

Hackett does not carry the baggage that Kerry did.

The only question is whether he can connect with and energize African-American voters.

Posted by: James E. Powell at August 27, 2005 04:22 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Damn I hope he runs! Great article in the Cincy Enquirer this morning about Hackett:

http://realvalues.blogspot.com/2005/08/note-on-all-republicans-trying-to-spin.html

Posted by: realvalues at August 27, 2005 08:28 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

One paragraph from a post about Hackett -

""I am also an avid hunter and, unlike that sissy Kerry, I don't shoot dead ducks. I go for the real thing - the RINOS and the yellow-belly elephants," said Hackett, a gun-slinging NRA member."

The guy has balls.

Posted by: dtlc at August 28, 2005 12:32 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment