Tuesday, 14 February 2006
Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett of Ohio quits Senate race to clear the way for Congressman Sherrod Brown proven champion of Veterans and radical critic of the Iraq War.
This morning it was my sad experience to receive notice from the Paul Hackett campaign that the Iraq Veteran was pulling out of the Ohio Senate Race. Here are Paul's exact words," To My Friends and Supporters:Tuesday, February 14, 2006 Dear Major Robert, Today I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the race for United States Senate. I made this decision reluctantly, only after repeated requests by party leaders, as well as behind the scenes machinations, that were intended to hurt my campaign. But there was no quid pro quo. I will not be running in (Ohio's) Second Congressional District nor for any other elective office. This decision is final, and not subject to reconsideration. I told the voters from the beginning that I am not a career politician and never aspired to be--that I was about leadership, service and commitment. Similarly, I told party officials that I had given my word to other good Democrats, who will take the fight to the Second District, that I would not run. In reliance on my word they entered the race. I said it. I meant it. I stand by it. At the end of the day, my word is my bond and I will take it to my grave. Thus ends my 11 month political career. Although it is an overused political cliché, I really will be spending more time with my family, something I wasn't able to do because my service to country in the political realm continued after my return from Iraq. Perhaps my wonderful wife Suzi said it best after we made this decision when she said "Honey, welcome home." I really did marry up. To my friends and supporters, I pledge that I will continue to fight and to speak out on the issues I believe in. As long as I have the microphone, I will serve as your voice. It is with my deepest respect and humility that I thank each and every one of you for the support you extended to our campaign to take back America, and personally to me and my family. Together we made a difference. We changed the debate on the Iraq War, we inspired countless veterans to continue their service by running for office as Democrats and we made people believe again. We must continue to believe. Remember, we must retool our party. We must do more than simply aspire to deliver greatness; we must have the commitment and will to fight for what is great about our party and our country; Peace, prosperity and the freedoms that define our democracy. Rock on.
Paul Hackett
END OF MESSAGERemember that Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin is an Independent who does not preach supporting nor voting straight party. I learned my lesson doing that by following the edicts of the Republican Party for near 30 years GOT BURNED and I am not DUMB enough to blindly turn to the Democratic Party or any other party and follow IT with Blind Faith. NEVER MORE. I encourge people to closely monitor and watch the person not the party. Screw the party. The political party is an animal that will eat its young at the drop of convenience or opportunity. The above is a prime example. That said, I'm going to say something that is going to piss off a log of other Hackett supporters. I never really supported Paul Hackett for U.S. Senate anyway. Yes he was a Veteran, and yes he gained National attention, and yes he would even be good for our cause. BUT could he beat the NEO-CON money and smear machine in Ohio? Folks Paul could barely stand his own in Ohio's 2nd District. Do you seriously think the NEO-CONS where going to allow him to take on the whole state of Ohio - a swing state going into the 2008 Presidential elections. GET REAL. The NEO-CONS were praying for a Primary fight between Paul and his more experienced Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown. Even with the support of Ohio's Veterans that Hackett could probably have rallied in the southern part of the state, Sherrod Brown has the loyality of an established Veteran base north of Columbus, Ohio. Not only that but Sherrod Brown has an established record in Congress of fighting for Veterans benefits which he can point to, and Brown has gone on record for a pullout from Iraq when Hackett hesitated during his run for the 2nd Congression District by taking a Bush lite stay the course postion. This placed Hackett in the Hilary Clinton side of the Democratic party temporarily and that is not the direction the party in Ohio is heading. Later when running for the Senate Hackett changed position on Iraq. If I can see through that flip flop, the Republicans will tear that apart. Just like they did my brother Senator John Kerry. Sherrod Brown was among only three original members of the Ohio Congressional delegation (all Democrats) to sponsor Republican Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina's House Joint Resolution 55, Homeward Bound calling for the President to give Congress a timetable for withdrawal of military forces for Iraq with pullout beginning in 2006. This resulted in Bush skurrying to Fort Bragg, NC to give his speech to the nation begging America to "Stay the Course." How many time has Bush had to Run here or Run there since then begging the Nation to "Stay the Course in Iraq?"Lastly, it boils down to money if WE like it or not. As always in the State of Ohio when it comes to the Republicans vs. the Democrats it is like a Giant smashing a Flea with a sledge hammer when it comes to campaign financing. The Republicans GET (not RAISE GET) way more money than necessary to run a political campaign. In fact, the Republcans get as much money to run a political campaign each election cycle as it would take to pay off the national debt, pay for the war on terror including the War in Iraq, fund the VA Hospital system forever, plus afford tax cuts for the rich. Where the hell does all this money go the Republicans raise that is multiple times what Democrats raise?Again, I say this BECAUSE it is based on FACTS not political rhetoric. The FACT is Paul Hackett raised $1,334,881, the other Democrat in the primary Sherrod Brown $817,932, and the three third party candidates John G. Hritz, Willian Gardner Pierce, and David R. Smith have not raised enough money by-law to have to report it.In comparison, Republican Senator Mike DeWine has been given $6,107,495 (and he has no Republican challengers in the primary to speak of.) What does DeWine need the money for? A GIANT STOMPING A FLEA WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER TO MAINTAIN POWER FOR ULTRA CONSERVATIVE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS WITH MONEY TO BURN. Realize that the Republicans can do this to any candidate that goes up against them (BUY THE ELECTION), thus that makes it more important that the challenger be the most experience to overcome this handicap. If it had been any other Democrat except Sherrod Brown, Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin would have said SCREW THIS and just staid home, because my vote would not make any difference here in Ohio. But I encourage all VETERANS here in Ohio at least if you care about your benefits and want to put fewer names on the Iraq Veterans Memorial than support and vote for Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate from the state of Ohio. In my next post I will tell our readers a bit more about Sherrod Brown because talking about the LINKS to his background applies to researching other candidates running for office. Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
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22 Feb 2006
 Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
[QUOTE] And....get an editor, will you. All good writers have one.[QUOTE]
If anyone had followed all my posts from the first, NEVER claimed to be a good writer.
In fact, quite the opposite I'm an Amatuer and I admit it or I would be writing for the Dayton Daily News, Washington Post, or God Forbid Washington Times or FOX News. Heck even on of the Independent media outlets NOT some second rate Veterans advocacy "weblog" that focuses on "VETERANS ISSUES" Bro.
Sorry you strongly disagree but Gun Contol and Abortion are single focused issues with single FOCUSED interested groups that cross party lines and with over 130,000 plus young American men and women commited to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and MINE being one of them.
I gurantee YOU the last thing on their mind is Gun Control or Abortion friend.
Your come on sounds more like a NEOCON or some trolls attempt to distract and divert attention from the real issues that require Veterans attention then any REAL concern about Paul Hackett.
I care just as much about what happened to Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett as anyone else, and I know more intimately that you or Paul what the ODP is capable of.
I also know they don't give a rat's ass about Veterans but at least in our Congressional District offer us an alternative.
NO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE HAS EVEN STEPPED FORWARD TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO.
I have no beef with you BRO, but sorry our Soldiers well being in Iraq and Veterans Issues TAKE PRIORITY over Gun Control, Abortion or Tax Cuts that even my family may benefit a little from
YOU may respond to my personal email but we can only agree to disagree, because I really don't have time for you Gun Nut nonsense.
Methinks you are a NEOCON plant just spreading diversion and more wedge issues to divide Veterans.
BTW - WE evidently agree on one thing that VCS does not agree on withdrawal from Iraq.
LOOK FOR MY OTHER POSTS REGARDING NO LONGER POSTING ON THIS WEBLOG.
As for getting an Editor, I would consider it if I ever decided that I wanted to make a PROFIT doing this.
I'm perfectly satisfied to do it for nothing.
How come I get the vibes YOU are a Stolen Valor whorshiper and let us take it from there?
Second thought better to not contact me at my personal email addy.
I make it no secret how much RESPECT I DO NOT HAVE FOR VETERANS THAT SHARE THAT VIEW.
17 Feb 2006
nick velvet
But Ive moved afield from my point. Brown will carry Cincy, as that is where what he peddles gets bought. Hackett would carry OHIO, because he cuts across class & party lines.
the Dims would rather loose Ohio than have a Senator in thier party that dosnt quack the Party Line on that fundimental Dim program of criminalizing civil firearms ownership. Dont you get it? They dont give a flying ...squirrel about the VA, its a handy way to delineate themselves from the Chickenhawk Party, for now.
Tho tis true enough a hell of a lot more Dims wore the uniform than Republichickens......and some of them even stick by vets.
Were talking about winning Ohio, however.
17 Feb 2006
nick velvet
A ton of verbiage does not an argument make.
I am not a pet. So, no matter how much a Dim party hack promises me to keep the water in my bowl fresh, and give me high quality dog kibble, I wont support him.
And you dont answer the question. Its good that Brown wants to fund the hospitals to care for the maimed in the wars HIS PARTY has supported. Im supposed to fall over backwards about that?
How does a politician view his constituents? THATS THE GODDAM QUESTION. everything else- including wars & VA funding- flows from that.
If he cant tell the difference between law abiding citizens, and violent criminals, if his view on people is that they are hapless morons that need the State to tie thier shoes & allow them only blunt-nosed scissors-count me out. Its just two evils, not even the "lesser of".
I am not a subject. Or cannonfodder.
And I trust no one with political power that dosnt trust me with a firearm. period.
Or should women be expected to vote for a Dim who will join in outlawing abortion just because they vote $ for, say, trying to rehab crack babies? Get a grip.
I am also not an Ohio voter. If I were, Id write in Pauls name, because frankly, big city "progressives" view people the way pet shop owners view rabbits: as pets. The Repubs view them as food.
I aint niether, & the thought of more nitwit wars being pimped by a political party & mindset that views me as some dumb, helpless animal that cant wipe my ass w/o a "program" to teach me how, or more nitwit wars pimped by a political party that find profit in mass murder leaves me equally cold.
Men like Hackett in the Senate means no wars unless they are absolutely nesscessary for our survival. Which, frankly, means no wars.
Brown means any nitwit war or intervention the slugs that run the Dims fancy. Recent history will bring to mind the (bi partisan) mass murder in a big swath of SE Asia, the pimping of tyrants & mass murder in Central America, silence in the face of arming Saddam in the first place, on & on. Massive high altitude bombing & artillery strikes- with targets selected by paid informants, in many cases! in the Balkans. Bi partisan butchery. Brown opposes this go-round- good. that means hes not an idiot. thats not enough, in my book, to qualify one for the Senate.
And....get an editor, will you. All good writers have one.
16 Feb 2006
Mary MacElveen
Dear Bobby,
Long time no hear. I miss our email exchanges. I was absolutely livid that both Schumer and Reid did this to a man of honor. While he may have not been to their liking, it was still for the people to decide. These neocons who steal elections and send our troops into harms way based on lies disgust me.
Paul Hackett was just one more reason why I do think I made the right decision to leave the Democratic Party. Who I am of the opinion lately are a bunch of wimps. Marines such as Hackett fight where Democrats cower.
But, no matter how much fight one has in them, once party bosses decide who will be the people's candidate, then it is game over.
In my opinion most politicians are vile while only a small minority are worth fighting for. Just look at Sen. Russell Feingold who was the lone dissenter for the Patriot Act now is the lone dissenter for a filibuster movement to extend that heinous act.
I do hope that Brown beats the pants off of the GOP candidate. But, I am still angered over Schumer and Reids actions.
Regards,
Mary MacElveen!
16 Feb 2006
Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
Nick,
First, I am not going to question your or any other Veteran or VCS members’ intelligence by defending the Democratic or any political party. (SEE NEW ARTICLE). I am not called Indy Thinker for nothing. I also feel the same as you do about the 2nd Amendment and pro-choice. To quote you, [QUOTE] I trust no one with political power who dosnt trust me with a firearm, or my wife to make that decision. [QUOTE] These are WEDGE ISSUES used by both political parties and have been for decades to divide and conquer Veterans and that is why Hackett was a breath of fresh air. However, can you name one, just one Veterans Service Organization with significant membership Nick that has gun control or pro-life/abortion high on its legislative agenda as a Veterans Agenda Issue? Name one Nick? What is more important to YOU “mandatory funding of the VA Medical Care and Claim system and demanding non-Veteran officials running the Pentagon stop insulting Military Retirees or our guns and the abortion issue? Maybe all these things are but WE need to prioritize. The NRA does a wonderful job in protecting our 2nd Amendment Rights and has more money and members than all the VSOs put together Nick. If WE had the clout and money of the NRA we would not be fighting Congress each year for the friggin VA Budget. God know how many pro and anti- abortion groups are out there raising money and lobbying Congress. We sure as hell do not need to be diluting our focus by going in that direction either because enough organizations including non-Veteran members do that. How many non-Veterans do you know Nick that contributes anything to the efforts to get mandatory funding of the VA resolved. This issue should have been fixed after the Vietnam War, not 30 years later. There should not even be a debate over which is more important Tax Cuts for those who never served nor intend to serve in Iraq, Iran, or anywhere in the War on Terror or Mandatory Funding of the VA much less any of these “wedge issues.”
Nobody going to take Bobby’s Enfield rifle out of his hands unless I am cold dead anyway so let us stay focused. That goes for sealing our borders too. As stated in previous posts, Indy Thinker is all for tightening up our borders to include bringing our National Guard home from Iraq permanently to patrol both the Canadian and Mexican borders instead of the cities of Iraq and trying to patrol the Syrian, Jordanian, and Iranian borders. However, Hanafin is against sealing our borders regardless what the Democrats or Republicans think. We are not and should not become the Soviet Union, which I also served over 20 years to bring down. Only one Veterans Service Organization (the VFW) supports sealing our borders and that is not VCS or Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Be careful with this anti-immigration sentiment. Because American born workers will not do the back breaking labor in the fields of California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and other corporate run farm growers regardless what wages are paid even if such a wage could be negotiated (Dream on). To focus more on this forum, OUR MILITARY recruiters have had to rely on recruiting immigrants (even from across the border) to honorably serve in our Ground Forces because most American workers “born here” along with the vast majority of American citizens will not “volunteer” for the regular Army or Marines regardless who is President when we are at war. THAT is the real reason that no one wants to talk about Selective Service. Lastly, what was said about the DNC [QUOTE] The elites that run the DNC love their cheap nannies and lawn boys more than they love the American worker.[QUOTE] can be said about both parties. When you know the facts about how much money the RNC can GET (NOT RAISE) in campaign donations here in Ohio compared to any Democrat or Independent including Paul Hackett, it is even truer about the REPUBLICRATS as in ARISTOCRATS!
Understand folks are pissed and angry with the Demoncrats because of what happened to Iraq Veteran Paul Hackett, but get over it. Nothing is keeping Hackett from running for public office if he is that passionate and dedicated. Hackett owes the Democratic Party nothing, especially locality. Why should Paul be loyal to any party that is not loyal to him? On the other hand, if the Dims offered him the Congressional run in the 2nd District, I do not see why Hackett should turn it down out of some loyalty to any local Democrats. Screw that. Nothing is stopping Veterans and other supporters from drafting or strongly encouraging Hackett to run. However, my brothers and sisters please stay FOCUSED on what WE collectively have to accomplish. NEOCON Republican Moles will slip in at the drop of a hat to sow discord, dissent, distraction, and wedge issues among us. We are smarter than that if we stay focused on our mission = full unconditional mandatory funding of the VA Medical Care System and demand Military Retirees stop be treated as third and fourth class American citizens by the non-Veterans who run the Pentagon.
Bobby “Indy Thinker” Hanafin
15 Feb 2006
nick velvet
hackett was sacked by the Dims because he thinks its perfectly OK for honest Americans to own firearms. For the Dimbulbcrat loosers that run the show: Schumer, Kennedy, Waxman- with Schumer & Waxman holding positions in the Party that give them the power to with hold $ and Party endorsements- Hacketts stand on that issue make him a pariah.
With the Dims, its not about winning- its about dogma.
Brown is a hack loyalist who will peddle the Schumer/Waxman/Kennedy Party Line- and loose.
I knew the Party knives were out for him by listening to the Dims biggest public shills: that nitwit Franken, & Miss Information herself, Randi Rhodes (who is, at least, funny)
Its the Second Amendment, Stupid.
Nick Velvet: pro gun, pro choice, and I trust no one with political power who dosnt trust me with a firearm , or my wife to make that decision.
15 Feb 2006
Bob
Paul was also less than enthusiastic about wide open borders. The elites that run the DNC love their cheap nannies and lawn boys more than they love the American worker.
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