I do understand, although maybe don’t want to accept, that all politics is hardball.
But, for me, there still has to be a baseline morality, something that can be counted on.
One’s word is just that.
And that’s the rub for me in the Democratic Party’s dumping of Paul Hackett in favor of Sherrod Brown versus Republican Mike DeWine in the 2006 Ohio Senate seat race
It appeared Brown was being indecisive or simply just hadn’t made up his mind and the D.C. Democrat powers-that-be approached and courted Hackett, asked him to run and encouraging his family to have him run.
Hackett said ‘yes’ and the triumphant announcement was made–another ‘Iraqi veteran/fightin’ Democrat’ on the tally sheet.
Brown then later announced he would also be running.
Now maybe or actually (I plead ignorance here) Hackett was lagging in the ‘begging for money’ and ‘dialing for dollars’ routine, or so I’ve read.
But aren’t those issues that can be discussed and hopefully worked out?
My bottom line is someone’s word to me. You ask me to do something, promise financial and other support and I agree to do so. Then you call back at some point and say you have changed your mind and how about a different political race?
Your word in any future endeavors means nothing to me at that point.
Although many other veterans are currently running for office as Democrats, Hackett was special in the sense that he was first. The first to create a stir by his no-holds-barred standing up for what he believed in and, when attacked, he fought back. That’s the kind of backbone AND symbolism that is required if the Democratic Party, so long invertebrated, is to enjoy a resurgence. A Democratic revival based on merit and not on the lameness and graft of the Republicans is what needs to take place. Having a spine and taking a stand are missing-in-action Democratic elements in the eyes of the voters who swing elections.
Maybe Hackett is too outspoken, too much of a wild card, too out-there for the sedate U.S. Senate. But wasn’t his demeanor a ‘known’ prior to asking him to run?
Yes, as a Democrat, I desperately want to win elections and maybe Brown has a much better chance of winning. But I want to win without tarnishing my reputation. Winning with honor, if you will. Personal credibility is the basis for connecting with one another, for creating relationships and community. Once forsaken, it’s exceedingly difficult to restore.
(Note: this has nothing to do with preferring one candidate over the other and if I have any of the ‘facts’ wrong or have over-simplified matters, then do let me know)
To read one version of what came down, go here:
http://motherjones.com/news/update/2006/02/hackett_drops_out.html
Here’s a different look:
http://ezraklein.typepad.com/blog/2006/02/sherrod_harry_c.html
Here’s Hackett in his own words:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/13977644.htm
Here’s a Columbus Dispatch editorial:
http://www.dispatch.com/editorials-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/01/15/20060115-B5-02.html
