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Wednesday, October 05, 2005

OH-Sen: Sherrod Brown Mocked by DC Press

Posted by Bob Brigham

Political Junkies know that the (subscription only) Hotline is the inside-the-beltway bible. All of this talk about Congressman Sherrod Brown running against Republican Senator Mike DeWine started in the Hotline. And now it looks like Brown has confirmed his intentions, again to the Hotline. In today's Hotline Last Call, the insider publication gets the scoop, and dishes something back towards Brown with the following:

OH Rep. Sherrod Brown has told key Dems today that he plans to challenge Sen. Mike DeWine (R) (Last Call! sources)

If you click on the link, it goes to a picture of a waffle.

Posted at 04:53 PM in Ohio | Technorati

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» Paul Hackett vs Sherrod Brown from Project LOGIC
Newly announced Senatorial candidate Paul Hackett is in for a bumpy ride, as he already has a serious primary challenger in the form of Sherrod Brown... and it doesn't look like the race is gearing up to be a polite one. Hackett vs Brown... I'm ro... [Read More]

Tracked on October 5, 2005 07:09 PM

Comments

Sherrod should catch some shit for waiting until Hackett was mentally committed to running then leaking his intentions to insider sources. It sucks. He should have sat down and spoken with Hackett behind closed doors. Now this mess will continue to play out in front of the media.

But lets step back and consider some of the reason why Sherrod got back into the race. Its clearly a better environment Democrats, but I contend that it not the only reason. I believe that Hackett was making some serious errs in judgment. Last time I checked Hackett had not filed with the FEC. Meanwhile Brown has raised $2 million. Seems to me like Brown has committed himself a lot more than Hackett, regardless of who planned a bus tour first.

Posted by: fightingdemocrat at October 5, 2005 06:36 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I cannot respect a man (Brown) who has been prodded for close to six months to run, and he now decides to run. As a fellow Ohioan, Hackett answered the call, and for that alone, he gets my full 100% support. Hackett has gun owners support, he did extremely well in a red district, is more moderate, inspires the base, and can draw great national attention (and free publicity) from the media due to his life story as an Iraq war veteran. Brown, on the other hand, can easily be labeled a 'liberal' because his district is essentially a democratic stronghold. If Hackett who is moderate gathers quite substantial amount of support in places like red Cincinnati even at this stage, by all means Hackett would do extremely well against DeWine.

And this is to fightingdemocrat, are you a paid worker for Brown? I have seen you all over the place, even at the Washingtonpost's new blog, The Fix, under the same name (fightingdemocrat) dissing Hackett.

Ultimately, I hope Hackett and Brown don't end up in a bitter primary battle. Winning this seat from DeWine should be our focus, not tearing the Democratic Party apart.

Posted by: purpleday at October 5, 2005 08:01 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hackett was wise to wait and file this week so that he didn't have to report any third quarter numbers.

"Seems to me like Brown has committed himself a lot more" has got to be one of the funniest comments posted on SSP. There is a reason that the press is mocking him as a flip-flopper and it is not because of his comittment.

Posted by: Bob Brigham at October 5, 2005 08:03 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Three cheers for Democracy!

As someone who has worked many a democratic primary for progessive candidates, I simply don't accept the arguments AGAINST someone joining the process and challenging an early favorite or an entrenched incumbent.

The primary process helps us work out democratically who we want to support and what we stand for. A contested primary puts that choice in the hands of the people, instead of the hands of donors, powerbrokers and yes, pundits. And it helps us sharpen our field skills. Recent elections reveal how sloppy we have gotten.

So, if it is Brown vs. Hackett, we should be proud to have such a deep stable. And may the best Democrat win.

Posted by: Myles at October 5, 2005 09:36 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Why would Brown run for Senate in a primary against Hackett for any other reason than a belief that he has something better to offer Ohio? Regardless of who you support, a decision to announce at the very last minute is best described as "Bravery". These decisions are not made lightly, and Brown is risking a hell of a lot more by abandoning a safe House seat.

It is worth noting that Ted Strickland is also "flip-flopper" when judged by the same standards. And yet how many on this blog threw their hands up in dismay when he retracted his earlier statement in order challenge Mayor Coleman for the Democratic nomination?

For all we know, it is possible that one evening Congressman Strickland turned to Brown, who has been actively campaigning on his behalf, and said:
"Sherrod, I appreciate everything you've done for me in my efforts to fix Ohio. But more than anything else I want to know that I’ll have a Senator fighting for Ohio once I’m elected Governor. And there is nobody that I’d trust more than you.”

Whatever you think about primaries, they aren’t for the those who jump at the first sign of danger. It says wondrous things about every Democrat on Ohio’s ’06 ballot that they were willing to risk time and tears for the opportunity to help their state.

And I have faith that Hackett and Brown are both men of such high ideals that they would never cripple one another in a primary. Regardless of who they are, our nominee will be all the more strong from having passed through a primary.

Posted by: Rosen Knight at October 5, 2005 10:50 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment