Bending the Third Rail
Because We Should, We Can, We Do
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Standing Up
This is an old quote, but Atrios resurrected it today and I think it bears repeating. This is about Paul Hackett:
“That’s low politics, punk!” a heavy-set man sneers as he marches toward the poll.

Hackett wheels around. “Pardon me?”

“You know, that radio ad that says, ‘You don’t know Schmidt.’” He’s talking about one of Hackett’s attack ads against Republican Jean Schmidt. The man spews a stream of epithets, and Hackett lets out a crybaby whimper:

“Waaaaaaa!”

“What’s that, punk?” the big man growls.

A TV crew is setting up nearby, but Hackett doesn’t seem to care.

“What’s your fuckin’ problem?” the candidate snaps. “You got something to say to me? Bring it on!” Hackett, all 6 feet 2 inches of him, is nose to nose with the heckler.

“Problem?” he taunts. The man turns around and storms away.

“These guys in the Republican Party adopted this tough-guy language,” Hackett tells me, still steamed, an hour later. “They’re bullies. They’re offended when somebody takes a swing back at them.”
I probably disagree with a full 25% of Paul Hackett's actual policy positions. His primary opponent, Sherrod Brown, is probably much closer to my position on the political spectrum. But Sherrod Brown appears to continue to play the political game by the old Democratic rules. Paul, I think, understands the nature of current politics, the need to demonstrate that you can protect, not just say it.

If you agree, go to Paul Hackett's site and show some love. Even a few bucks helps.
Written at 11:41 AM by Greyhair.
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