I was on Kos last night and was priviliged to be in a live blog chat with Major Paul Hackett, who was fundraising and cheer leading for Andrew Horne. An admirable thing considering how the "powers that be" in the national party treated him. My guess is he truly cares about his nation, and he's building blocks for after the election, swing an appointment to a Congressional or government "position" to use as a jump board for the future.

Nothing wrong with that, except, he needs to see more than todays "dollar" one political worker stated that Paul" is "still rough around the edges" and he was trying to keep the blog on focus, I thought building support and "chatting" with potential donors was the "focus". Pardon me for asking for help with what I think is a political issue.

This is directed at anybody who thinks that their vote will not be important in the next election for whatever reason. It doesn't matter whether you are a Green disgusted at what you see as a lack of spine by the Democrats or a former Hackett supporter disgusted at what you see as an insular establishment who determines the candidates for Senate in smoke-filled backrooms. You are missing the key point as to why it is so important that you go to the polls and vote for a Democrat. You forget that a vote for a Democrat for Senate or the House is a vote for John Conyers as chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

I was saddened today to learn of Paul Hackett's decision to drop out of the Senate race. During the year Paul has been active in politics, he has shown Democrats how to have a backbone. In addition, he recruited other veterans to run on the party ticket that best represents them. His service to his country and to his party, in my opinion, during this last year, is second to none.

I agree with James Carville when he says that the problem with the Democratic Party is not ideological, but anatomical. Paul Hackett himself proved this point in his special election by having a backbone and being unafraid to tell people what he thought about the issues. The result of this was that people in a traditional Republican district respected Paul enough to vote for him. If Democrats learn nothing else from Paul, it should be that people vote for candidates that they respect and are honest with them. Even though Paul dropped out of the Senate race, by inspiring many others to run for office, he will prove on a national level in November that "Fighting Dems" are the future of the Democratic Party.

The blogs are all talking about defense hawk and Democratic Congressman Murtha's statements that the war should be over and the troops brought home.

The war in Iraq is not going as advertised.  It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion.  The American public is way ahead of us.   The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction.  Our military is suffering.  The future of our country is at risk.  We can not continue on the present course.   It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region. 

This can't be a serious political blog without even one Paul Hackett vs Sherrod Brown post.

There's a mostly rational discussion of the two candidates for the dem Ohio senate nomination at Ezra Klein's blog.

(via OH02)