Tim Ryan Officially Out, Urges Hackett to Run

[TheresNoMoney]

From Swing state Project:

"STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN TO HIS SUPPORTERS

In 2002, the voters of my District placed their trust and confidence in me. It was, and still remains, the greatest honor of my life. In turn, I promised them my complete dedication to bringing economic opportunity and reform to a region where economic hardship has persisted for far too long.

I'm very proud of the progress my district has made, and optimistic for its future. But to continue this progress, there is much more work still to be done. So today, after much thought and discussion with family, friends, and supporters, I am announcing my plans to run for re-election in Ohio's 17th Congressional District..........

........In particular, I believe Paul Hackett is one such individual who -- should he decide to run --would serve Ohio well in the U.S. Senate. I have encouraged Mr. Hackett to run for the Senate seat and hope that I will have the opportunity to actively support his candidacy."

[ATFFL]

And the Democrats shot at the seat goes down a good bit.

[Joe Republic]

And the Democrats shot at the seat goes down a good bit.

A good bit?  It's gone.

[TheresNoMoney]

Would you be open to voting for Hackett, Joe?

[CARLHAYDEN]

And the Democrats shot at the seat goes down a good bit.

Agreed.

[Moooooo]

Oh well.  Maybe Hacketts momentum from the special election will carry over and make it a close one (crosses fingers and toes ).  I should start a new thread... "Has Chuck Schumer been a failer as chair of the DSCC?"

[Keystone Phil]

Awesome. Now the GOP only has to worry about PA and RI (and MT and MO alittle). Though I wasn't really that worried about this one.

[Joe Republic]

Would you be open to voting for Hackett, Joe?

I'm certainly open to it.  But the only thing he's actually done is fight in Iraq and lose a congressional special election.  He hardly has a glittering political career to go on at this stage.  For all anybody knows he could be a hopeless senator.  In any case, with Brown and Ryan both out, Hackett appears to be the early frontrunner for the Dem nomination.

Talking of 'hopeless senators', a lot has already been said about how DeWine is a useless loser.  And although his statewide approval rating currently echoes that sentiment, there's little for me to actually criticize him on.  Unlike most people in his own party, I applauded his part in the Gang of 14 and his moderate stance on gun issues.

[Moooooo]

Here is the letter issued from the Ryan campaign:

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN TO HIS SUPPORTERS

In 2002, the voters of my District placed their trust and confidence in me. It was, and still remains, the greatest honor of my life. In turn, I promised them my complete dedication to bringing economic opportunity and reform to a region where economic hardship has persisted for far too long.

I'm very proud of the progress my district has made, and optimistic for its future. But to continue this progress, there is much more work still to be done. So today, after much thought and discussion with family, friends, and supporters, I am announcing my plans to run for re-election in Ohio's 17th Congressional District.

I'm deeply honored and grateful for the support I've received from so many individuals and organizations at the national, local, grassroots, and netroots levels who've urged me to run for Senate. However, my first priority is to continue the work I've begun for the people I now represent. For this reason I have decided that now is not the time for me to pursue another office.

Next year's mid-term elections present extraordinary opportunities for Democrats in Ohio and across the nation. I look forward to helping Ted Strickland become the next governor of Ohio and to working with my fellow Democrats to elect Democrats to statewide and legislative office. I am also confident that the Senate seat now held by Mike DeWine can be won by a Democrat who will champion the interests of all Ohioans rather than rubberstamp the policies of a President and Republican Congress that reflect the interests of a select few. In particular, I believe Paul Hackett is one such individual who -- should he decide to run --would serve Ohio well in the U.S. Senate. I have encouraged Mr. Hackett to run for the Senate seat and hope that I will have the opportunity to actively support his candidacy.

Thats kind of odd.  DeWines voting record looks pretty damn moderate to me.

[Joe Republic]

"I am also confident that the Senate seat now held by Mike DeWine can be won by a Democrat who will champion the interests of all Ohioans rather than rubberstamp the policies of a President and Republican Congress that reflect the interests of a select few"

Thats kind of odd.  DeWines voting record looks pretty damn moderate to me.

He's just being a political showman.  It sounds good to his base, that's all.

[ATFFL]

And the Democrats shot at the seat goes down a good bit.

A good bit?  It's gone.

DeWine can still run an awful race and blow it.

[TheresNoMoney]

DeWine has an anti-gun, anti-worker voting record that can be used against him. Hackett should get NRA backing.

He is also not well-liked among Republicans. I still view him as vulnerable. 

[12th Doctor]

Awesome. Now the GOP only has to worry about PA and RI (and MT and MO alittle). Though I wasn't really that worried about this one.

I still think we should make a damn good effort in Minnesota, to boot.  Florida is looking more and more down the tubes.

[Ben Meyers]

Damn, wanted Ryan to run.

[Keystone Phil]

Awesome. Now the GOP only has to worry about PA and RI (and MT and MO alittle). Though I wasn't really that worried about this one.

I still think we should make a damn good effort in Minnesota, to boot.  Florida is looking more and more down the tubes.

MN is going to be a GOP pickup. I love how MN is going to go from Ventura, Dayton and Wellstone to Pawlenty, Coleman and Kennedy.

[Moooooo]

MN is going to be a GOP pickup. I love how MN is going to go from Ventura, Dayton and Wellstone to Pawlenty, Coleman and Kennedy.

That is kind of weird.  Talk about a 180.  Im sure they miss Wellstone though.  Ventura and Dayton, not so much.

[Ben.]

There we go from the most competative election of next (along with PA's senate race) to somthing more like the MT tier outside chance of Dem pick-up... so lean GOP now

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

He did only lose an ultra-Republican district by 4 points. Would he really do that poorly in a state where Kerry did better than his national average?

[Democratic Hawk]

I would have preferred Ryan to run - but nobody can force him to do so (unfortunately), but should Hackett run I wish him well

Dave

[Keystone Phil]

He did only lose an ultra-Republican district by 4 points. Would he really do that poorly in a state where Kerry did better than his national average?

Around 20% turnout. Poor GOP candidate. A Dem candidate with all the attention.                         

[TheresNoMoney]

Around 20% turnout.

Turnout was 30%, very high for a special election,.

[Keystone Phil]

very high for a special election,.

Not the point. In 2006 it will be higher and that benefits the GOP. Do you honestly think the Dems are making inroads into a district that came close to voting 75% for the former Republican Congressman? You guys have just lost all sense of sanity after your recent losses last year. It's sad.

[Downwinder]

He did only lose an ultra-Republican district by 4 points. Would he really do that poorly in a state where Kerry did better than his national average?

Yeah, but I think even the most unlearned people expect a litlle more.....gravitas in a U.S. Senator.  I don't think Hackett has that, and has no political or experience, and little government experience. 

It's too bad Ryan isn't running, cause I really think he had a good shot.

[King]

MN is going to be a GOP pickup. I love how MN is going to go from Ventura, Dayton and Wellstone to Pawlenty, Coleman and Kennedy.

That is kind of weird.  Talk about a 180.  Im sure they miss Wellstone though.  Ventura and Dayton, not so much.

When Minnesota votes against Walter Mondale, you know something is wrong.