Hackett Backlash

After perusing the blogosphere and talking with people last night, I've found a lot of backlash towards the Democratic leadership in what most see as them forcing Paul Hackett out of the race.

Look, Hackett dropped out on his own. Party leaders can't force you out of the race, anybody is free to run in a primary. As for the claim that party leaders were in fact calling your supporters to get them to stop giving you money and it works, then that support was shaky at best, although it is somewhat of a dirty tactic.

The bottom line is that you can't run as an outsider, then bitch and moan that the DC beltway crowd isn't behind you lock, stock, and barrel. (No Dick Cheney pun intended)

I've also heard as of yet unconfirmed rumors that Hackett was running short of signatures to make the ballot. I find that hard to believe as I attended a Hackett grassroots reception last week and there appeared to be no sense of urgency to get people out collecting signatures, but I'll look into it.

Anyway, it is what it is, and now Sherrod Brown is our man to unseat Mike DeWine, so keep your eyes on the prize and help take DeWine out.