In the race tomorrow for a Congressional seat in Ohio's conservative 2nd district, tough-talking Democrat Paul Hackett is not backing down from his harsh rhetoric toward George Bush regarding the Iraq war. Now the GOP has released a statement purporting to want to "bury" the Democratic Iraq War veteran. Certainly this must be making Republicans cringe behind the scenes.
Paul Hackett doesn't fit conventional political profiles. He is a Marine Reservist and an Iraq war veteran who opposed the war before the U.S. invasion and remains a harsh critic of President Bush's policy there. He is also a Democrat battling to win a special House election in Ohio in a district that has been in Republican hands for more than three decades.
On Tuesday, voters in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District will elect a successor to former representative Rob Portman, who quit Congress to become U.S. trade representative. Hackett hopes to beat the long odds by defeating Republican nominee Jean Schmidt, a former state representative, by stressing his military service and independence
Hackett told USA Today that Bush's taunting line, "Bring em on!" was "the most incredibly stupid comment I've ever heard a President of the United States make." He also told the newspaper that, while he was willing to put his life on the line for the President, "I've said that I don't like the son-of-a-[expletive] that lives in the White House."
Both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee have bought TV time for commercials over the weekend. "He called the commander in chief a son-of-a-[expletive]," said NRCC spokesman Carl Forti. "We decided to bury him."
Hackett, hoping to capitalize on the widespread disarray in the scandal-plagued Ohio GOP, remains unapologetic about his characterization of the President. "I said it. I meant it. I stand by it," he said in a phone interview. "In this district, we need more straight-talking, straight-shooting politicians."
The Republican party, however, chose an entirely inappropriate term to throw at its opponent. At a time of war when the troops, both liberal and conservative, are laying down their lives, couldn’t the Republican party think of a more appropriate adjective than “bury” to reference a man vying to become the only Iraq war veteran in Congress.
For the troops to hear that one of their own is going to be “buried” by the Republican Party sends a message that not only are the troops unimportant to the GOP in the midst of a political campaign, but also that they will be attacked and smeared in the name of politics if their beliefs do not happen to conform to Republican talking points. How can this behavior be made to conform to the mission we have given to the troops, which is to promote a democracy that can tolerate the viewpoints of diverse and different peoples? The troops, Paul Hackett, and the whole country deserve an apology for the irresponsible rhetoric.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RJ
What's the big deal? Some GOP spokesperson uses the word "bury" and it's somehow a huge scandal?
This is nothing more than a desperate attempt by the Dems to take an out-of-context portion of a quote and use it for electoral advantage at the last minute.
Sad.
2 - todd
I heard about this cat on Cinci AM this afternoon.
Hackett is running radio spots telling people, "You don't know Schmidt" and alluding to her ties to some prior scandalized big wig.
It's hilarious.
3 - RJ
It'll be interesting to see who wins. My money's on the GOP candidate.
4 - Stephen
As a conservative with recent misgivings about the Bush presidency, I think that Hackett is a breath of fresh air. He's saying what many of us wish we could say, but don't out of loyalty to our party. And he's not your typical democrat - he's actually quite conservative on some important issues such as gun control and government spending. I hope he does quite well.
5 - Temple Stark
I'd heard it was pretty strong GOP territory in this particular district.
"You don't know schmidt." Ballsy.
And funny.
6 - billy
its a real conservative district. there is like no chance that the republican will lose, but hackett seems like a good guy, and he probably has a good future, if not in this race.
7 - Eric Berlin
The district was carried by Bush by about 65-35 in '04.
If Hackett comes close to taking the seat, it will be seen as a major warning sign for the GOP in the '06 midterm elections.
8 - Jonathan
I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life. I grew up as a replublican and a conservative. Paul Hackett is an example of the political switch that is occuring once again.
In the early 1900's the Democrats were conservative and the Republicans were liberal then they made a switch and in the past six years have made the switch once again.
Republicans are in favor of taking away civil liberties in the name of "protecting the homeland" and the Democrats are defending the liberties of the people.
I hope Paul Hackett kicks butt Tuesday. I'll be at the poll voting for him.
9 - Eric Berlin
That's a really really interesting take, Jonathan.
And I agree -- go Paul Hackett, go!
10 - Vernon Gutenkunst
I do believe that Paul Hackett stated in his oath of enlistment just like every other soldier that, "I, Paul Hackett, do solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign or domestic." The Constitution is stated first in this oath for the very fact that this document outlines such a sublime strategy for maintaining freedom for all Americans. This is what all soldiers need to keep intact first and foremost, not any of the officers appointed over them. Bush has already buried himself with reams of proof that he has compromised the Constitution. Bush is a domestic enemy, a voluminously documented insurgent terrorizing the Constitution. I salute Paul Hackett for it does appear that he might be the only public official today that actually takes his oath of enlistment seriously. What a concept!
11 - Dan
Nah, he's just a petty opportunist trying to trick pro-bush people into voting for him. He'll go down in flames.
12 - Samantha
Weren't the GOP moron including Schmidt attacking Hackett's war record? Was his swift boated.
I think the word "bury" is seen to be inappropriate to use towards a War veteran because of the relation it has to death. And war is usually associated with death. That is just my guess though.
IT is not sad, Republicans are sad. They claim to be pro-military and pro-national security, when they are not. They claim to be, but their record says the opposite.
Republicans should be ashamed that they even questioned his war service. It is quite sad that Republicans are willing to put disgusting political tactics and politics over the sacrifice that Hackett made for this country.
I wonder how many GOP Congressmen/Congresswomen in that area were in a war? Was Schmidt?
13 - Nancy
You forget that the current GOP & especially this Bush administration are notorious for slander, libel, & lies against anyone they dislike, and that includes decorated war veterans of their own party, nauseating practices considering most of them are cowards, deserters, & chickenhawks too yellow to actually serve themselves. A pity the brainless voters can't manage to keep THAT in mind when they go to vote.
14 - Calvin
Why are Democrats for him? He is for many things that the Liberal Democrats hate. He is a Repub in Democrat clothing.
15 - billy
i like hackett's libertarian type approach. i dont think that would work in la, ny, or chicago, but since he is a congressional rep he is trying to represent a conservative district, so a conservative dem is not offensive necessarily to a more liberal dem.
16 - Sonny Lyons
The veterans of that district need to get out today and elect one of their own. Hats off to the troops- especially Paul Hackett, a patriot in peace as well as war.
17 - Nacho
I think Paul Hackett is embodiment of America. I'm a moderate Democrat, and he's got the message that will take Democrats into office in 2004. When the GOP is only left with smear tactics, the Democrats win every time.
18 - Dave Nalle
>>I think Paul Hackett is embodiment of America. I'm a moderate Democrat, and he's got the message that will take Democrats into office in 2004. When the GOP is only left with smear tactics, the Democrats win every time.<<
Then I am sure we can count on the Democratic party and its operatives to undermine and destroy his career as soon as they can.
Dave
19 - Eric Berlin
Everything runs in cycles, Dave. The Dems had control of the White House in Congress a bit over a decade ago... and they will again.
20 - Dave Nalle
That's certainly possible, Eric. But right now it looks like they're doing everything possible to make sure it never happens.
Dave
21 - Eric Berlin
That just says to me that they're not changing their position(s) to match yours.
22 - Lanceredstaterant
The GOP is going to bury hackett!! He loses by double digits. It wont even be close. You might not like the presidents programs but most people like the president as a human being and calling him an SOB will not get you anywhere but in the wastebasket of politics. this thing will be a runaway.
23 - Nancy
Uh-huh. We'll wait & find out when the polls close, thanks just the same. Whoever claimed that Smirk was a human being? I've always considered him a deserter, a cheat, a liar, a thief, a con artist, and (by getting us into a false war, plus failing to prevent 9/11 which he was capable of doing) of being a murderer as well. Oh...and I don't consider him to be president of the US, either.
24 - HH
>>Why are Democrats for him? He is for many things that the Liberal Democrats hate. He is a Repub in Democrat clothing.<<
Billy - I think you'd be surprised how many "liberal Dems" want the same things the Republicans campaign on - jobs, personal responsibility, honesty, security, fair taxation, and morality, etc. Most of them I know just think that the GOP isn't making those things happen as effectively as the Dems.
25 - mikey mic
Go Hackett! I hope this does represent a turning of the tide!
If the repubs steal Ohio again, we all (repubs & dems alike) NEED to stand together and demonstrate on a national level. We need to make sure that the process is straight or NO ONE GETS JUSTICE!!!!