thedrifter
06-08-06, 07:09 AM
Ex-candidate Paul Hackett still primed for spotlight
By DAN SEWELL Associated Press Writer
CINCINNATI - Paul Hackett, who pulled the plug on his brief but attention-getting political career, has resurfaced in defense of fellow Marines and veterans.
And as outspoken as he was on the campaign trail, he says he’s enjoying the freedom of being blunter than ever as a noncandidate.
“It’s a great thing being out of politics. I can revert to my private life and my beliefs; stand up for veterans, for regular working Americans, and stand up for their freedoms,” Hackett said.
“And I can do that unabated by a plethora of campaign staffers who duck for cover every time I say something politically incorrect. I love it, just love it.”
The Democratic attorney drew national interest last summer with his strong run in a special election for a Republican-dominated U.S. House district in southwestern Ohio. Republican Jean Schmidt won with 52 percent of the vote, but Hackett attracted a wide following as an Iraq war veteran and for his sharp criticism of President Bush.
SIDESTEPPED
Hackett, 44, dropped a U.S. Senate run in February, blaming machinations by Democratic officials who preferred Rep. Sherrod Brown to oppose Republican incumbent Mike DeWine.
Michael Margolis, a University of Cincinnati political scientist, said Hackett did well in his one election test last summer with his populist style and “being frank and being open; not pulling any punches. Whether that would continue to be successful, we don’t know.”
A straight shooter to fans, a loose cannon to critics, Hackett says he has no plans to run for office but credits his stint in politics for giving him the clout to speak out on issues that concern him. He’s appeared in the past week on a series of national TV and radio news and talk shows.
HADITHA MASSACRE
Hackett is representing Marine Capt. James Kimber, who he says has been unfairly linked to the unfolding investigation of an alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians by Marines in Haditha last year and whether Marines or their commanders tried to cover up what happened.
Hackett also is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed last week against the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking at least $1,000 in damages each for 26.5 million military personnel after personal data was stolen. A coalition of veterans groups announced a similar lawsuit Tuesday.
“It’s a comedy of errors,” Hackett said. “Out of 26 million, some identities have been stolen, and that will end up destroying the financial lives of veterans. It’s outrageous.”
BLASTING MURTHA
Hackett also is irritated at Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a decorated Marine veteran who has been briefed by military officials on the Haditha deaths and has said that U.S. troops “overreacted because of the pressure on them.”
“With one broad stroke, he’s recklessly indicted all those Marines. ... I don’t know if he’s gotten addicted to the microphones and the cameras. For him to continue to foam at the mouth, it’s irresponsible, it’s stupid, it’s wrong.”
Murtha’s office didn’t respond to a phone call seeking comment.
Hackett is supporting a political action committee to benefit veterans running for office and a planned Marine legal defense fund. And he’s campaigned, or plans to, for Democrats in states from Tennessee to California.
Hackett offered observations on issues such as the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages, which “just (angers me) so much. It’s so outrageous. I don’t give a damn what people do in their private homes.”
Hackett, of the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, said he’s enjoying having more time with his wife and their three young children and also dabbling in “my radio career,” sitting in for nationally syndicated talk-show hosts Jerry Springer and Ed Schultz.
“He’s very articulate, he’s full of ideas, he’s funny; he’s good,” said Jere Galvin, senior editor for Springer’s radio show Web site.
Ellie
By DAN SEWELL Associated Press Writer
CINCINNATI - Paul Hackett, who pulled the plug on his brief but attention-getting political career, has resurfaced in defense of fellow Marines and veterans.
And as outspoken as he was on the campaign trail, he says he’s enjoying the freedom of being blunter than ever as a noncandidate.
“It’s a great thing being out of politics. I can revert to my private life and my beliefs; stand up for veterans, for regular working Americans, and stand up for their freedoms,” Hackett said.
“And I can do that unabated by a plethora of campaign staffers who duck for cover every time I say something politically incorrect. I love it, just love it.”
The Democratic attorney drew national interest last summer with his strong run in a special election for a Republican-dominated U.S. House district in southwestern Ohio. Republican Jean Schmidt won with 52 percent of the vote, but Hackett attracted a wide following as an Iraq war veteran and for his sharp criticism of President Bush.
SIDESTEPPED
Hackett, 44, dropped a U.S. Senate run in February, blaming machinations by Democratic officials who preferred Rep. Sherrod Brown to oppose Republican incumbent Mike DeWine.
Michael Margolis, a University of Cincinnati political scientist, said Hackett did well in his one election test last summer with his populist style and “being frank and being open; not pulling any punches. Whether that would continue to be successful, we don’t know.”
A straight shooter to fans, a loose cannon to critics, Hackett says he has no plans to run for office but credits his stint in politics for giving him the clout to speak out on issues that concern him. He’s appeared in the past week on a series of national TV and radio news and talk shows.
HADITHA MASSACRE
Hackett is representing Marine Capt. James Kimber, who he says has been unfairly linked to the unfolding investigation of an alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians by Marines in Haditha last year and whether Marines or their commanders tried to cover up what happened.
Hackett also is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed last week against the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking at least $1,000 in damages each for 26.5 million military personnel after personal data was stolen. A coalition of veterans groups announced a similar lawsuit Tuesday.
“It’s a comedy of errors,” Hackett said. “Out of 26 million, some identities have been stolen, and that will end up destroying the financial lives of veterans. It’s outrageous.”
BLASTING MURTHA
Hackett also is irritated at Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a decorated Marine veteran who has been briefed by military officials on the Haditha deaths and has said that U.S. troops “overreacted because of the pressure on them.”
“With one broad stroke, he’s recklessly indicted all those Marines. ... I don’t know if he’s gotten addicted to the microphones and the cameras. For him to continue to foam at the mouth, it’s irresponsible, it’s stupid, it’s wrong.”
Murtha’s office didn’t respond to a phone call seeking comment.
Hackett is supporting a political action committee to benefit veterans running for office and a planned Marine legal defense fund. And he’s campaigned, or plans to, for Democrats in states from Tennessee to California.
Hackett offered observations on issues such as the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages, which “just (angers me) so much. It’s so outrageous. I don’t give a damn what people do in their private homes.”
Hackett, of the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, said he’s enjoying having more time with his wife and their three young children and also dabbling in “my radio career,” sitting in for nationally syndicated talk-show hosts Jerry Springer and Ed Schultz.
“He’s very articulate, he’s full of ideas, he’s funny; he’s good,” said Jere Galvin, senior editor for Springer’s radio show Web site.
Ellie