Tuesday, August 02, 2005

 

The Litmus Test

One of the things that the corporate media just don't get when covering the Democratic grassroots -- especially the netroots -- is why so many of us went for Howard Dean or Wes Clark when "they're really not that liberal". (At least, not according the corporate media's definition of "liberal".) They keep on trying to figure out what sort of litmus test we're using. Well, here it is, courtesy of James E. Powell via Steve Gilliard:

I suggest that we DID have a litmus test, and that Paul Hackett met every important point. It's just not any of the litmus tests that we usually hear about. While I am sure that all of us would have our favorite elements, they would have to include some or all of the following: Does he 'distance himself' from the party or its leaders, or is he proud to be a Democrat? Does he talk like a bureaucrat or like a regular person? Does he make it clear that he opposes Bush and the Republicans? Does he back down when the corporate press/media or Republican pundits attack him, or does he stand by his words? Does he respond to the nationwide reaction of the left blogosphere, or does he assign it to a junior staff member? Does he sleepwalk through the campaign, or does he act like he wants to win? I don't know all of Paul Hackett's positions and, since I am an old school lefty I am sure I don't agree with all of them. But he passed the litmus test I have set out for Democratic candidate I will support with time and donations.
There you go.


Comments:
Eeyore (the other one) here.

I did what I could for Major Hackett. I don't expect him to win. I don't even expect it to be close. There are just too many robots in OH-2, who will have to go on a breadline to understand that actions have consequences, and consequences are sometimes not a whole lot of fun.

It was worth it to support a decent man against someone who sounds like she'll either be in jail or the Bush cabinet (or both) very soon. God bless every person who donated or volunteered, and shame on all the Beltway boys who couldn't be bothered.
 
Well, Charles, it looks like it's pretty close so far -- and with 305 of 753 precincts in, here's the results so far:

Hackett 51.08--Schimdt 48.92. Hackett 23,957--Schimdt 22,846.

This is in a district where no Democrat has won so much as 30% of the vote in the past two decades. This is the most Republican district in Ohio -- that's why Bush pulled Portman from it to be his trade rep, because he figured he could easily install another Republican to take Portman's place.

But he didn't count on Bob Brigham deciding to do a little experiment. Whatever happens, we've proved one thing: We can mobilize the netroots with lightning speed.

Frankly, I would have been happy if Hackett winds up within 15% of Schmidt. But it looks as if (touching wood) that I might have a lot more to be happy about.
 
I hate being right about things like this. But Hackett did brilliantly and one can only hope that a special election will be called on account of the indictment of Schmidt.

The whole state is as crooked as a pretzel, and Lord knows what will wake people up. Especially the people in the Democratic and labor establishment, who did not give the support they should have.
 
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