The Hacketting of New Hampshire

[FightinNewDem]

Recently, Ohio senate candidate Paul Hackett ended his campaign after being pressured by party elders in both Ohio and Washington, DC. The party forced Hackett out of the way in order to clear the way for a more conventional candidate, Sherrod Brown. In executing this maneuver, the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and its Ohio-based allies deprived Ohio voters of a vigorous debate, denied the people a role in the nominating process, and sent a message that fealty to a crimped party line is more important than ones ideas and ideals.

Now, the same thing is happening in New Hampshire. The old guard of the Democratic Party, with the help of certain staffers at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, have decided that Rep. Jim Craig, a bland, play-it-safe Democrat, should be annointed as the Democratic nominee in New Hampshire's 1st district, and that everyone else should clear out. I have three words.

"Not gonna happen".

Jim Craig has a right to run for Congress. But he needs to do what Carol Shea Porter, Gary Dodds and I have been doing for the last few months. He needs to travel the district, meet with local residents, look them in the eye, answer their questions and listen to their concerns. He needs to defend his record, and explain his often uncomfortably close relationship with state house lobbyists. He needs to set out an agenda explaining what he hopes to accomplish as our representative in Washington.

If Jim believes that he will win the nomination simply by associating with state house insiders and party apparatchiks, he is in for a rude awakening.

I'm not bailing out of the race, and I hope Carol and Gary won't either. They both bring a valuable perspective to this campaign, and they deserve to be heard. It might not make a few self-styled party barons happy, but the people of New Hampshire deserve a vigorous and spirited debate on the issues facing our state and our country. We owe it to them to make that debate possible.

[Mythsaje]

1. Power to the people!

Of course, that means we must educate the people first. :)

[Vincardog]

2. The same thing is happening in Texas. David Van Os is running for AG

The Establishment Democrats refuse o give him support. They don't even have anyone else running for AG. That is why is is up to US to find and support Real Progressive Candidates, Please check out <http://dvowhistlestop.blogspot.com/ >

[WilliamPitt]

6. OK

THIS is what makes me nuts about this whole debate.

"That is why is is up to US to find and support Real Progressive Candidates."

SHERROD BROWN IS THE REAL PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE IN THAT RACE. PERIOD. END OF FILE.

YOU CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS ON THIS.

Either you want progressive candidates or you don't.

If you don't, then stop saying you do.

If you do, the Sherrod Brown is your man, WAY more progressive than Paul Hackett.

[wakeme2008]

8. I want the man the ppl of Ohio want not

Washington insiders.

Brown is a LOSER and that is one Senate seat that will not be add to the Dems in Nov.

Will you are just like the Nader voters in 2000.

[Vincardog]

10. I am not talking about Sherrod Brown, I am talking about the established

Democratic power structure and their chosen role as "King Makers" and their refusal ot help and actually working against candidates.

[FightinNewDem]

11. It's not ideology

Will, whether Sherrod Brown or Paul Hackett is more "progressive" isn't the issue. Nor is the relative "progressivity" of the four of us in NH-01.

What's at stake here is the role of rank and file Democrats in their own party.

The antics of the DCCC and DSCC don't follow a clear ideological line. Brown is generally more liberal than Brown; Casey is more socially conservative than Pennachio; I have no idea on the ideological split in the Duckworth/Cegelis tussle. In my own race, the lines are fuzzy. I hew to the center on several issues, but have the most progressive record on environmental and "good-government" issues. It's not left vs. right, it's insider vs outsider and old guard vs. new voices.

[insane_cratic_gal]

16. It's always about the arm wrestling

and dirty tricks used to remove candidates. I know we disagree on the Hackett issue, but how things fell down were quite ugly. More and more confirmation have been coming along that the DCCC seems to be stepping on a lot of toes, which is denying people the chance to "select" their choice.

At the end of the day, democracy is not about offering two choices, Republican or Democrat, it's about the voice of the people. If DCCC is forcing people out of races, which is appears they are playing strong arming them out, then that's just wrong. I think all we ask for is at the Primaries there is actually more then one choice.

Saddam had an idea of democracy his vote was "Saddam or Not Saddam" If dems are offering only one choice at the primaries we aren't in good faith offering democracy a fair shake.

[understandinglife]

3. K&R. Could it be more obvious that we have the "We the People ..." ...

... Democratic Party and the "Inside the Beltway corporatist" Democratic Party?

Could it?


Peace.

[formercia]

4. Fat Cats protecting their turf.

I think it's time for a BIG change.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Yes indeedy!

[WilliamPitt]

5. "a more conventional candidate"

Sherrod Brown is a conventional candidate? On what planet?

That having been said, good luck in your campaign.

[FightinNewDem]

12. Brown and Hackett

Good point. My frame of reference was Hackett, whose tough approach and odd mix of liberal and conservative positions made him a unigue breed of cat within the political community.

Thanks for the kind words. Feel free to take a spin up I-93 if the mood ever strikes!

[mod mom]

18. Will, do you recall Sherrod Brown's speech on Jan 6 2005 regarding

the seating of the Ohio electorate?

[MercutioATC]

22. Brown might be progressive, but he's a conventional CANDIDATE.

Old-school party insider career politician. His voting record is good, but he's "conventional" as a candidate, IMO.

[Kolesar]

24. I can tell you didn't go to any of the antiwar rallies in Cleveland

I can tell you didn't attend Camp Wellstone in Cleveland.

Because if you did you would have seen Sherrod Brown at every one of those events.

Sherrod Brown is the grassroots leader of absolute credibility. He was mailed by constituents objecting to the war, so he responded by speaking at the antiwar rallies.

When the Democratic Party in Ohio floundered and needed to train new leaders at Camp Wellstone--like me, a number of candidates, and whole messa' Deaniacs--Sherrod Brown was there.

Ok, so that's "old-school and conventional". I'll take it over "adopting republican positions and pretending not to be a Democrat" any damn day of the week.

[MercutioATC]

25. If it walks like a duck...

His actions in this Hackett episode speak for themselves (to me).

My biggest issue is that I used to respect him as a person. I still respect his record and he's obviously better than DeWine, but I don't respect his personal integrity.

...of course, I'll hold my nose and vote for him in November.

[Kolesar]

26. A war was brewing and you had something better to do

That's what they'll be saying when the Black Marias come.

[MercutioATC]

27. Lack of integrity in MY house bothers me.

I'm voting for him only because of the "war". I have sincere ethical reservations about doing it, though.

[KT2000]

9. Business as usual

the party organization has been in business for a long time. Like any group, they have their core that run things. That core uses its energy to put "their people" in office - usually bland middle of the roaders. Newcomers are not always welcomed with open arms and may even be viewed with suspicion.
I think this is how most groups operate.

The repubs operated this way until gingrich threw a monkey wrench into the works and changed the power base to the newcomers who signed on with him (contract with america). He restructured the power in the House to give it to the newcomers and take it away from the old timers. It was a coup of the repub party. The old timers then fell in line.


We cannot be surprised that the democratic party machine does not embrace the new candidates. We just have to work with it - like you say - gain the confidence and move forward.

[back2basics909]

13. Guys could you do me a huge favour....

... which districts are they in NH and TX (post down a little)?

I am keeping a list of these, to see what the scorecard is after the elections. This would bea great help to me, thanks!

[FightinNewDem]

14. NH-01

First district, which is basically the eastern half of the state.

It includes Manchester, Portsmouth, Derry, Hampton, Rochester, Laconia and most of the Mount Washington Valley.

[back2basics909]

15. Thank you for taking the time.

[KittyWampus]

17. Aw, what's the matter? Democratic party endorsed someone else but you?

I sincerely hope you have more going for you and your campaign then "the bad ole Democratic Party endorsed someone else but me". Funny how your post says nothing else, really.

Maybe posting that here might help get you some internet support without any other conderations of your positions or talent as candidate. I'm SURE you know your post will get DU'ers all riled up.

That damned Democratic Machine...

Edit: "The HACKETTING"? that is really pathetic.

[Outer_Limit]

19. Shouldn't the party wait until the primary is over

and support the nominee? That makes more sense to me. That would be the democatic thing to do.

[FightinNewDem]

20. Absolutely.

It's also what is required under the NH Democratic Party bylaws.

Sounds like our friend here is part of the in-crowd and doesn't like the fact that the rank and file have wised up to their act.

[PassingFair]

21. Hope you're ready to work DOUBLE TIME

for the hand picked candidates.
The roots are tired of Hobson's choices and backing losing
candidates.

The skulduggery must stop.

[Buck Rabbit]

23. I don't get it. How are you being forced out?

You're not quitting right? They are still holding an election right?

Some staffers of DCCC are endorsing another candidate. Don't you have anyone endorsing you?

According to you're website you are a third term House Rep, not exactly an outsider yourself then are you?

I don't get it.