Very thorough reporting of the events on your blog. You write well.
I guess that I am not surprised that only one elected Democrat, Frank Szollosi, bothered to attend. Where was the newly appointed 22-year-old Balderas who represents District 3?
Naturally Carty, Sobczak and McCloskey, Los Tres Amigos Falsos, would not show up at a Democrat Unity Event as they clearly do not represent the concept of 'unity.' Carty was probably busily working into the wee hours on HIS plan for Westgate, while McCloskey was going over his 'enemies list' once again. Sobczak was, no doubt, trying to memorize the talking points that Carty sent him.
The image of these three faux-Democrats are exactly what turns off young voters as well as young adults who are thinking of serving in the political arena. I have already posted in another thread what my wife and I observed at the UAW hall back in 2004 when Wade Kapszukiewicz was blocked from taking office as Lucas County Treasurer by a group of thugs in the Democratic Party. The raucous meeting, complete with shouting and name-calling, was a pathetic example of the corruption that exists in politics today. By the way, Carty was carefully managing the event from the back of the hall, out of the glare of the cameras. He paced, he whispered, he wrote notes all the while enjoying the fracas that unfolded. He was, of course, positioning himself that very evening for a return to politics and he enjoyed every sinister moment.
As we were leaving in disgust, Carty was positioned next to the door. My wife stopped and said to him point blank, 'And how do you expect to attract young adults to this party with shenanigans like this?' He looked away.
posted by limedrops911 at 08:24 A.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
limedrops, I don't think most of those other Democrats were invited. Realistically had more of them shown up then it would have defeated the purpose of the first part of the meeting which was creating a foundation/starting point for the majority who are individuals not politicians.
As far as Taylor and Wade, I don't know if their schedule didn't allow them to attend but I'm glad it was more focused on what they wanted to do as a group.
Thanks for the compliments.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 10:01 A.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
Lisa, that was a good overview. I think we made some substantive progress especially in the area of organizing political leadership/organizational training classes for young Democrats in Lucas County. Following the meeting, I spoke with the representative of the ODP and they are committed to making it happen.
Furthermore, as your post points out, it was worthwhile just to get young and energetic people in a room and talk positively about the future of the party and our community. That doesn’t happen a lot in Lucas County. Heck, we even had a couple Republicans join in the discussion and we were no worse for the wear ;-)
Also, I enjoyed our chat earlier in the day. Both you and JR provided some very interesting insight into the blogosphere and the future of our community. I appreciate your perspectives.
posted by Ben_Konop at 12:14 P.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
Thank you Ben, I agree with you as to the success of last night and I appreciate how great you guys were to my conservative husband. Even he was impressed by some of what he heard and that doesn't happen often.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 01:05 P.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
People actually want to join the Democratic Party after growing up in Lucass County? That's scary.
posted by paddington at 01:31 P.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
Great coverage, Lisa. Wish I could have attended.
posted by historymike at 01:56 P.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
I wish you could have been there too, Mike. I would have been very interested in your take on it and you might have had better luck with taking photos. Miguel was my photographer but Paul Hackett didn't stand still long enough for him to get alot of good shots with the camera he was using. I also need to get a better tape recorder as 45 minutes is not enough and I lucked out as far as figuring out the best parts to try to record. Thankfully my former experience as a secretary/administrative assistant came in handy when it came to transcribing the tape.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 02:14 P.M. EST on Thu Jan 19, 2006 #
Good coverage Lisa, Kudos.
posted by chrismyers at 10:26 A.M. EST on Sat Jan 21, 2006 #
Thanks Chris, though I didn't expect some of the firestorm it caused elsewhere. I'm glad I went and I look forward to covering other meetings/events in Toledo.
That is one of the cool things about blogs, we can go into alot more detail than what the traditional media can. Of course the key is to not make it so long that people take a deep breath when they see it - lol
I do have to say I was disappointed that the Blade did not focus more on the actual first part of the meeting that I felt was very promising. While meeting Paul Hackett was awesome, seeing this group demonstrating what political parties should be to me was just as important and realistically has a larger impact on our area. Here you had a group of young Democrats all coming with their own different views yet agreeing what was important was to build party interest and support for not only their generation but the generations yet to become politically active.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 12:38 P.M. EST on Sat Jan 21, 2006 #
Hackett's views on things as reported by Blade stories on Jan 19, Jan 20, and Jan 21.
Iraq
Hackett said:
"The war’s over. It’s time to bring the troops home … anything that can be accomplished militarily in Iraq has already been accomplished."
"They’re voting. So what? That’s what we went over there for? ... You don’t spread democracy at the end of an M-16. We’re not winning any hearts and minds over there, folks."
"I think if we want to spread democracy, we have to live democracy."
The economy
"Mr. Hackett [claims] that the $300 billion spent on the war should go toward rebuilding the American economy and guaranteeing health care for everyone."
"He dismissed the historically low 4.9 percent unemployment rate, stating that a $16-an-hour job at an auto factory cannot be replaced by a $6-an-hour gig for a chain store."
Hacket said:
"Working at Wal-Mart is not a high-paying job and shouldn't be counted in employment statistics."
Balancing the budget
Hackett said:
"The Democratic Party today is the party of fiscal responsibility, limited government."
"Do I think that we have to raise taxes? If it has to be done, it has to be done. I don’t like taxes, but if it’s got to be done, it’s got to be done."
Illegal Immigrants
Hackett said:
"[The Bush administration] is willing to let illegals come in and take the jobs of Americans."
When asked if the U.S. should deport illegal immigrants, Hackett said:
"If we can afford to, yeah."
"Illegal immigration is illegal. It’s that simple."
The religious right and Republicans
"The chairman of Ohio’s Republican Party condemned [Hackett] earlier this week after Mr. Hackett told a newspaper the GOP had been “hijacked” by religious fanatics."
"Hackett defended his comparison of Christian televangelist Pat Robertson to Osama bin Laden. Earlier this week, Mr. Hackett equated the al-Qaeda founder to Mr. Robertson, who recently suggested on his TV program The 700 Club that God punished comatose Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip."
Hackett said:
"Those of us who are moderate Americans have got to stop all those who want to radicalize our culture."
I wonder if Hackett would also say New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin is like Osama bin Laden? Afterall, Nagin said on MLK day that God is mad at the U.S., and that's why we've been hit by so many hurricanes lately. Nagin said one reason why God is mad at us is because we're in Iraq.
From a Jan 21 Blade op-ed:
"Mayor Ray Nagin seemed to be reading from the Book of Pat Robertson when he spoke of God smiting the country with "hurricane after hurricane after hurricane" because He "is mad at America." Is Mr. Nagin, as some have suggested, a black version of TV evangelist Robertson? Instead of inspiring followers with a speech of self-reflection and reconciliation, the mayor came off sounding blasphemous and bigoted."
Using Hackett's alleged logic, I think it's safe to say that Nagin is also like Osama bin Laden.
Abortion clinic bombers
"The Democrat said Mr. Robertson's "provocative speech" has spurred his followers to attack health clinics that perform abortions."
Hackett said:
"I think the Republican Party kow-tows to those extremists."
After that comment, Hackett was asked if he really believed the Republican party kow-tows to terrorists:
"To those who murder people and bomb abortion clinics?"
Hackett replied:
"Yes, I do."
From psyche777's recap of Hackett's visit to Toledo, Hackett said:
"Now to my Republican friends, I say stop and think about what's happened to the Grand Old Party in the United States today, it's not the party we grew up with in Indian Hill!....The Republican Party that some of our mothers and fathers may have belonged to has vanished. As I unashamedly say, it has been hijacked by religious fanatics."
It could also be said that today's Democrat party is not nearly as good as the party of yesteryear.
And since Hackett believes the Republican party has been hijacked by religious fanatics, he must also agree that today's Democrat party has been "highjacked" by the left-wing lunatic fringe of MoveOn.org and Howard Dean. I think MoveOn.org has even threatened to take over the Democrat party. Isn't that how Dean got to be the party's chairman?
Personally, I like these parts of Hackett:
"Mr. Hackett touted his support for gay marriage and gun rights. He argued that the government should avoid invading citizens' private lives, which is why he supports gay rights and current abortion laws."
And I like Hackett's tough stance on illegal immigrants. The word illegal means something doesn't it? He's way off base thinking this is a Bush problem. It has existed for years. I blame the people in Congress. What in the hell has Arizona senator John McCain done to stop illegal immigration in all of his years in office?
And if Szollosi disgrees with Hackett on some issue, then Hackett is on the right track. A Szollosi endorsement isn't a good thing.
"Frank Szollosi, a Toledo city councilman, said Mr. Hackett appeared “to the right of Pete Wilson” — a conservative Republican and former California governor — on immigration."
"Mr. Szollosi said he supported Mr. Hackett ..."
Bad news for Hackett.
"... but [Szollosi] would reconsider if he did not moderate his immigration stance."
Then good news for Hackett.
So Szollosi may not support Hackett because of Hackett's views on illegal immigration. Szollosi disagrees with Hackett on one issue, and that's reason enough to not support Hackett. What about Hackett's other views, Frank?
Why must politicans be like Szollosi and Gerken and have to agree with every single issue the party stands for? I don't know how it's possible for a free-thinking person to agree with everything any party supports.
Hackett has certainly made some "out-there" statements, which ain't all bad. He probably has livelier discussions than any other politician in these public visits.
Maybe Hackett is simply being Hackett and not being a politician. Some voters like that. It's refreshing and unfamiliar to us because we are normally fed the usual nonsensical political speak.
Reminds me of another scenario. Dean vs Kerry two years ago.
Dean had a big lead in the polls in the last half of 2003, but as January 2004 neared, the lead shrank. Dean made several bonehead statements, and a lot of Dean supporters lost their nerve, their conviction, and their spine by voting for Kerry because the Dean supporters thought Kerry had the better chance of beating Bush.
Could the same thing happen here with Hackett and Brown? Democrats may like the fact that Hackett isn't a long-time politician like Brown. And they may like Hackett's honesty no matter how whacked at times he gets and no matter if they disagree with Hackett on some issues.
But when primary time comes around, will Hackett supporters start looking ahead to November? Is the main objective to oust DeWine or elect Hackett? If the former, will Hackett supporters turn on their guy at the last second and vote for Brown, thinking Brown has the better chance of defeating DeWine?
posted by jr at 04:40 P.M. EST on Sat Jan 21, 2006 #
jr... I'd offer this, which was also on my blog:
Think about your relationships in life, okay? You know we all know people that we don't agree with on every issue in life, but they're still our friends, we still socialize, we go out to dinner, we do whatever it is that we do, we go to football games, we don't have to agree. Guess what? That's how it is in all aspects of life and to a certain degree even in politics. People elect representatives that they may not agree with on every issue but that they at least know where that person is and they believe that person will at least be consistent and represent something certain to them in their life. So, I'm not asking you to agree with everything that I say, it's not going to happen, it's not realistic and I'm not going to pander to you.
That's why I like Paul Hackett and why some of the established traditional Democratic Party (and the Blade obviously or at least that reporter) doesn't like him. Most of the Hackett supporters are looking forward to November...to them it is not about beating Sherrod Brown it is about winning the seat. Anyone that believes that Sherrod Brown can win the necessary parts of Ohio? I'd like to see their rationale. In Cleveland and parts of our area where the more "progressive" Democrats exist Hackett will probably lose, but it is the other parts of Ohio, especially the middle and southern parts where Sherrod does not stand a chance and Hackett does that will decide this. Especially if DeWine loses the primary, the problem is some of these Democrats are not thinking to win. Ideals are great but if you have a chance to actually get 60% of your ideals versus none? You'd think they'd figure that out.....
posted by psyche777 at 01:15 A.M. EST on Sun Jan 22, 2006 #
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