Gary Hart:Pressuring Hackett To Quit Campaign is Old Politics at its Worst

[kpete]

Pressuring Paul Hackett To Abandon Campaign is Old Politics at its Worst

Based on news reports alone and knowing nothing (thank goodness) about behind-the-scenes politics, the pressure brought on Paul Hackett, the bold Iraqi veteran, to abandon his campaign for the U.S. Senate from Ohio is deplorable.

This is simply old politics at its worst. There is a party which hand-picks its candidates, decides who can and cannot run, directs money to the favorite candidate, and dictate terms. Up till now, that party has been the Republican party.

Now, it seems, my Democratic party is once again imitating the Republican party in a desperate effort to regain power. With the McGovern democratic reforms in the early 1970s, political bosses were diminished and grassroots voters were elevated. The theme was, Let the people decide.

Telling Paul Hackett that he cannot run for the Senate, and purportedly calling contributers to dry up his funds, is the worse kind of old politics. It will drive voters away from the supposedly "open" party, the Democrats, and further add to public cynicism about how politics in America is played in the early 21st century.

Shame on us.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/pressuring-paul-hackett-t_b_15637.html

[blue cat]

1. Is there anything that we can do about it?

i.e. pressure them by calling?

[OzarkDem]

34. Tell Hackett to get back in the race

If he thinks he can win, why did he pull out?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. I'm A Firm Believer That If Reid And Schumer Thought It Best, Than It Was

best.

I like Paul a lot, and would've supported his run 100%. But if our leaders felt it that necessary to ask for Brown to hold the spot instead, they have my trust. If Paul even felt that was the best thing to do and dropped out, than I trust him as well.

Politics is politics. In this race, what matter most is that the democratic candidate has the best odds of beating the GOP candidate. I trust in those involved that Brown is viewed in such a way, and therefore now has my 100% support.

Shit happens. It's politics. In the end we want the dem with the best chance of winning. If it's Brown, than it's Brown.

[shireen]

7. huh?

Dem. party bosses should pick candidates?

There's this thing called primaries where voters pick their party candidate. Whether or not you think Brown is a better pick, Hackett should have been allowed a fair chance to run this race.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. Last I Checked, Hackett Voluntarily Dropped Out.

Pressure or not, it is a decision HE made. So HE chose to take that choice away from you. Rant at him then.

I like Paul, but if that is what Reid and Schumer thought was best for our chances for the Senate seat then I trust them. Eye on the prize. Taking back congress in 06. If someone thinks that isn't the most important goal than they simply haven't been paying attention.

[shireen]

19. drop out or ....

stay and be put through a meatgrinder by his own party. What a choice!

[Catrina]

24. And you think that's why they did it? Do you know anything about

Schumer?

I agree with Gary Hart and from everyone I talked to today, they agree with him also ~ it is dirty, and no, I do not blame Paul Hackett who chose to run as a Democrat because he thought they were better than the Republicans. Turns out, as Gary Hart says, there's not much difference anymore, it's just that the Republicans are more successful at it.

I am more stunned at how easily people on DU have caved to this, and are blaming the target of these tactics.

I admire Paul Hackett's decision not to stoop so low as to go back on his word. It shows even more, what a loss he is. I am DeWine is a very happy man tonight. And I can already predict the rightwing attacks on Brown ~ anyone with half a brain could. Makes you seriously question the 'leadership' of this country.

Democrats (or DLCers) apparently don't trust the people to make decisions. They will choose for us. Well, I'd rather have the choice if you don't mind. You may not want the choice, but please don't speak for the rest of us.

This is the same thing that happened in 2004 ~ virtually no primaries, most of the country had no say in who the candidate would be. And we saw how successfully that worked out.

If you want to keep your 'eye on the prize' then stop handing over victories to the Republicans. Same old failed tactics ~ get ready for another loss in 2006 ~

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

25. I Will Ask You To Read This And Respond.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x420173

[druidity33]

27. maybe...

they'll try and groom him for a VP bid. He can only bring more votes to the Dem party... not less. People admire his "straight shootin'". Hope he doesn't despair on Dems in general. Worst thing he could do for Dems IMO is to run as an IND... not that it wouldn't be justified with the way he's been treated. Were i him, i'd be very angry.

[chefgirl]

8. See, and I think thats exactly the wrong way of thinking

In the end we want the dem with the best chance of winning.

I think the real way for Democrats to start winning is to put a Paul Hackett out there, and let him catch peoples' attention by speaking truth to power, not backing down, and fighting the good fight.

Show the people that Democrats are interested in what's best for the country, and not just what's best for the party, and they'll start voting for Democrats again.

-chef-

[radio4progressives]

9. You place your Trust in people who have not earned,

our trust, but has abused our trust?

you consider these people "leaders" whom you can trust?

"politics is politics"

really? so what the fuck why should any of us even bother to be engaged? why the fuck should any of us even VOTE for that matter?


edited for grammatical corrections

[radio4progressives]

14. You trust Reid and Schumer's thinking on this or any other matter?

They have demonstrated that they can twist arms when it's only in THEIR OWN PERSONAL self interest - to keep the old boys in power, but not trusted to do what needs to be done in the best interest of the people who voted for them, and who they were "selected" to serve. And we only need to look at their actions and inactions in the past days, weeks and months as proof positive that they have NOT earned our trust .

[jsamuel]

21. Woah woah woah there, little buddy

"I'm A Firm Believer That If Reid And Schumer Thought It Best, Than It Was best."

Geez, don't sound like a Bushbot.

We are not part of the Cult of Personality here, and I aim to keep it that way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. You're Allowed To Think What You Want, I'm Allowed To Think What I Want.

So Excuse me if I don't fall right in line with the "the dems are a disgrace" attitude.

I DO trust their political insight into this matter that on a Statewide level Brown may be more viable, and that it is best to avoid a tumultous primary. I have a right to that opinion, so you whoa there youself little buddy.

Fact is, what matters to me most is that the candidate running in 06 has the best chance of beating the GOP, period. I think Sherrod may in fact be better, though I think Paul would've done just fine as well.

[DancingBear]

29. So you are saying that two people who do not live in Ohio

should decide what is best for Ohio?

I have asked this of others, and I will ask it of you: go to southern Ohio, and find the Repub folks who voted for Hackett. Ask them if they intend to continue this trend and vote for Sherrod Brown. They'll laugh at you.

Hackett came so close for one reason and one reson only: he was an Iraq vet, and the people believed him.

I went to school in Ohio. I lived there. My in-laws live in southern Ohio. My brother-in-law, a working man if there ever was one, loved Hackett. Sherrod Brown has as much chance as getting his vote as I do.

Sherrod Brown is a northern Ohio progressive, and that is wonderful. So is Dennis K., who I adore. He could never win Ohio, but he can and does win his district. Sadly, Brown can't either, unless he pulls massive votes from the northern tier.

Paul Hackett is a straight-talking grunt who could win ALL of Ohio, and that, my friend, is the difference.

P.S. Just think how good they're gonna be when Prucha comes back. :)

[converted_democrat]

30. You are right on the mark.. n/t

[LSparkle]

3. Rock on, Gary Hart! He is absolutely right ...

Maybe Sherrod Brown IS the better candidate, but why not let the Ohio public make that decision (and not the party bosses)?

[leftchick]

4. Excellent! A Democrat with Balls to call the DLCers out!

:woohoo:

[EFerrari]

5. Right on. Thank you, Gary.

K&R

:kick:

[Leilani]

6. Gary Hart should know

He was never an "insider."

[wiley]

10. This makes me ill.

This really makes me really sick.

[stillcool]

11. I really didn't need any further evidence...

of the complicity of some democrats in our nation's vast array of questionable activities, at home and abroad. But, just in case my memory fails me yet again, I can thank Harry, and Chuck, for their stunning examples of crony politics....I haven't yet forgotten the Alito vote, so it really wasn't necessary.

[Greyhound]

12. Thank you Mr. Hart. This is the point! the DNC has chased away,

who knows how many, voters that may have been swayed to the light side.

[Rose Siding]

33. People within our party, in effect, disenfranchised OH voters

People within our party, not the DNC. A statement today from the DNC made it clear that the DNC wants anyone to run who has a mind to. The DNC didn't interfere in this race.

This was the DSCC -Schumer and Reid, and maybe the DCCC -though it seemed to me that they were interested in Hackett running for the House, which IS their balliwick. This was big money's hold on the party in play.

I'm hanging on to my Democracy Bond and upping it when I can, as long as party reform from the botton up remains Dean's goal.

[sybylla]

37. Thank you, Rose Siding, for clarifying that

I get so tired of people assuming any elected representative is a spokesperson for the DNC. We are the DNC, the members of the Democratic Party, and we have elected Howard Dean as our spokesperson. While our elected Dems may also be members, they are no more the DNC than I and cannot speak nor act on its behalf.

[Jacobin]

15. What Gary said

:thumbsup:

[PBass]

18. Circular firing squad in the primary.

That was what's been avoided. I think that's a good thing.

Party bosses screwed up by allowing two candidates to ramp up for battle. That does suck, but we have bigger fish to fry.

[Jacobin]

28. Yeah, we don't want any IraqNam war vets opposed to the

war in congress.....that could upset the apple cart...let's just have someone who is against it just because....

[mandyky]

16. Boy, deja vu of what the party

did to Dean in Iowa in the primaries! Not our party's proudest moment.

[Nothing Without Hope]

17. ***COMPILATION** of threads on Hackett withdrawal - I'f added this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x411573
thread title (2-14-06 GD): COMPILATION of Hackett withdrawal threads and 3 CARTOONS for the DEMS:

Good find, thanks for posting!

[OhioBlue]

20. He is exactly right

if the voters had decided the Dem candidate it would have been much easier to support Brown. Now.... it is initially driving voters away. I'm really pi__ed off today, I wouldn't even vote for Brown today. I'm sure I'll calm down in a couple of days and still work for Dems to take seats, but I can't say that for everyone.

[dmr]

23. This is why we have primaries

- to let the people decide --- THAT is what free elections are all about. Political bosses are not the 'people', damn it!!

Whether the other candidate is a progressive good guy, is not the point - the choice of voters in Ohio are who matter, not some DC political boss or strategist.

[RazzleDazzle]

26. Good for Gary -- I hope somebody is able to shake up these

fucking know-it-alls in the ivory tower known as Washington, DC.

Aaaargh. I thought the Republicans were arrogant -- they've got NOTHING on Schumer and Ried. Nothing.

[Clarkie1]

31. I am seriously considering leaving the Democratic Party because of this

and registering independent.

Hart is right, except that it is beyond simply "deplorable." It's pathetic, dishonorable, disrespectful, and unpatriotic to treat who would have become the only Iraq war vet in the U.S. senate this way.

It's sends a signal of weakness and timidity all across America, but particularly in Ohio. I suspect this will hurt Dems at all levels in Ohio as it tarnishes the image of the Party as a whole. America will only respect Democrats when Democrats respect each other and demonstrate integrity, courage, and conviction.

Edit: Probably the only thing that can keep me registered Dem at this point is if Clark decides to run in 08' and give the party back some honor, integrity, and, as he puts it "starch." I can't think of any other reason to stay under these conditions except the ability it would give me to vote for Clark in the primary.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. Ssshhh! The bosses don't like to be contradicted.

[Seeking Serenity]

35. Grrrrrrrr

Have we now become a Party of the DC strategist, by the DC strategist, and for the DC strategist?

:mad:

[autorank]

36. Hart Rocks, and kpete, so do you!!!

:yourock: