OH: Paul Hackett for Senate?

[Q]

From Taegan Goddard's Political Wire:

Strickland Encourages Hackett Senate Bid
Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH), who is running for governor of Ohio, said he would "be an enthusiastic supporter of Democrat Paul Hackett running for Senate next year," should Reps. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Timothy Ryan (D-OH) decide not to run, Congress Daily reports. A Hackett spokesperson said he has not decided on his political future.

[Max Power]

If Sherrod Brown runs, we loose. If Ryan runs, we loose. If Hackett runs, we still loose.

[Ben.]

If Sherrod Brown runs, we loose. If Ryan runs, we loose. If Hackett runs, we still loose.

DeWine is the weakest GOP incumbent senator in the country, sadly there is no candidate of Casey esq stature to challenge him as there is in PA... nominate Brown and yes the Dems would probably lose, Ryan has a fair chance... Hackett I just don't know, if he wanted it he would probably make a good candidate, but could he win?

Its important to remember that Hackett would be facing a veteran republican incumbent in a conservative leaning state, all be it that this republican incumbent is very vulnerable… it also should be considered that running for Senate is a huge leap from running for Congress. IMHO Hackett would either set the race a light or fizzle out… and I fear with so little experience it might well be the later, he made gaffes in the house race (indeed they might have cost him the race), he would probably do the same in a senate race.

At the same time Tim Ryan would be a competive and credible moderate, a safer choice in short but perhaps lacking the charisma of Hackett… but perhaps safely would be preferable to “pizzazz”.     

[Max Power]

If Sherrod Brown runs, we loose. If Ryan runs, we loose. If Hackett runs, we still loose.

At the same time Tim Ryan would be a competive and credible moderate, a safer choice in short but perhaps lacking the charisma of Hackett… but perhaps safely would be preferable to “pizzazz”.     

Ryan has one problem: Lack of name recognition. I visted my Cousins in Ohio (they live in the district Hackett ran in), and tried to talk to them about politics. They couldn't name any of their Representitives (other than their own), but they could name their senators.

[TheresNoMoney]

If Sherrod Brown runs, we loose. If Ryan runs, we loose. If Hackett runs, we still loose.

Any of those three could knock off DeWine if they run a good enough campaign.

Why are you so pessimistic? The political climate is changing and there is starting to be a Republican backlash, especially in Ohio.

[TheresNoMoney]

At the same time Tim Ryan would be a competive and credible moderate, a safer choice in short but perhaps lacking the charisma of Hackett…

Tim Ryan has a lot of charisma. He is almost definitely a future Senator in the state of Ohio. He is only 32 and has plenty of time, whether he decides to run in 2006 or 2010.

[Emsworth]

Any of those three could knock off DeWine if they run a good enough campaign.

That's a rather optimistic outlook. The Governorship of Ohio should fall to the Democrats, but not, in all likelihood, the Senate seat.

[TheresNoMoney]

That's a rather optimistic outlook.

That's a realistic outlook. A recent poll showed only 32% felt DeWine deserved to be re-elected.

He is clearly one of the most endangered Senators. The Republican party is up to their neck in scandals and corruption, and the state has been hit hard by Iraq war casualties.

Now is the time for the Democrats to come up big in the 2006 elections. With Strickland at the top of the ballot, they have a great chance.

[Max Power]

If Sherrod Brown runs, we loose. If Ryan runs, we loose. If Hackett runs, we still loose.

Any of those three could knock off DeWine if they run a good enough campaign.

Why are you so pessimistic? The political climate is changing and there is starting to be a Republican backlash, especially in Ohio.

I'm not being pessimistic, I'm being realistic.

[TheresNoMoney]

You're being defeatist. 

[Moooooo]

He wont run.  If Brown decides not to run than Ryan is going to run.  Hackett is headed back to Iraq.

[TheresNoMoney]

Hackett said he'd go back to Iraq if they called his unit back.

I think Ryan would have a good chance to win the seat.

[Moooooo]

Hackett said he'd go back to Iraq if they called his unit back.

I think Ryan would have a good chance to win the seat.

One thing is for sure.  DeWine's base is falling apart.  He'll probably do well enough with moderates and independents to get re-elected though.

[Ben.]

He'll probably do well enough with moderates and independents to get re-elected though.

It all depends on who the Dems put up, If Ryan or Hackett run then you have credible candidates, though much as I would like to see Hackett elected, I can't help but think that Ryan would be the safer pic... but perhaps I’m being overly cautious (?)

After Pennsylvania, Ohio is about the only state where Democrats have a real chance at winning. The GOP incumbent’s popularity is rock bottom, his base is disillusioned, the state party is mired in scandal and the Democrats are likely to put a lot of money into races in the state and look like they’ll have a strong candidate for Governor at the top of the ticket.

DeWine won’t be able to rely on moderates and independents if the Dems nominated Ryan or perhaps Haskett.     

[TheresNoMoney]

After Pennsylvania, Ohio is about the only state where Democrats have a real chance at winning.

Wow, another deafeastist Dem, this board is full of them.

Democrats have a chance to win plenty of states. The tide is changing. Bush's approval ratings and Congress's approval ratings are horrible. People believe Washington doesn't share their priorities. The political climate is constantly changing and it's starting to swing away from the Republicans. Plus the Democratic base is fired up and ready to start winning.

Democrats have to have a clear message, stand up for themselves, and run good strategic campaigns but there will be plenty of chances.

They will have a shot to pick up Senate seats in PA, RI, OH, MO and MT. Maybe even TN and AZ.

[TeePee4Prez]

After Pennsylvania, Ohio is about the only state where Democrats have a real chance at winning.

Wow, another deafeastist Dem, this board is full of them.

Democrats have a chance to win plenty of states. The tide is changing. Bush's approval ratings and Congress's approval ratings are horrible. People believe Washington doesn't share their priorities. The political climate is constantly changing and it's starting to swing away from the Republicans. Plus the Democratic base is fired up and ready to start winning.

Democrats have to have a clear message, stand up for themselves, and run good strategic campaigns but there will be plenty of chances.

They will have a shot to pick up Senate seats in PA, RI, OH, MO and MT. Maybe even TN and AZ.

I like your positive attitude.  We need more like you!  In PA I want PA 4, PA 6, PA 8, and PA 18!  We will get them all in 2006.