OH-5: What a Difference Two Years Makes

You remember Paul Hackett's Special Election in 2005?

I sure remember sitting in the Cincinnati war room on election night, thinking back on the two weeks prior as the blogs and DFA funneled nearly $550,000 into his campaign coffers.

We came up just short that evening (after leading most of the night), but comparing this year's Ohio Special Election with that one shows us just how far we have come as a party, and the importance of the 50 State Strategy.

Contribute to Robin Weirauch

Map of Hackett online contributors from across the country

There was a lot of anger after Hackett's loss -- some of it justified.

Many wondered why the DCCC waited until the final weekend of the race to parachute in with independent expenditures.  We were told after the election that there was a secret plan to do so all long.  We were told that in such a "red" district, seeing the DCCC on the television screen would alienate Republican voters.  But ultimately, the trigger in D.C. wasn't pulled until their Republican counterparts did recognized the urgency of situation.

And it was too late.

We came up just short that night.  A heartbreaking loss that left a good candidate at home while the infamous Jean Schmidt was sworn in shortly after.

It was always my belief that we peaked too late.  If the election was a week later, or we (and the DCCC) had gotten involved a week earlier, we'd be referring to Paul as "Congressman."

Fast forward two years later ...

Maybe we can chalk it up to lessons learned?  Maybe we the culprit is an understanding the we can indeed expand "the map."  Or maybe it comes down to the dollar disparity between congressional committees, but it appears the DCCC is playing for keeps this time.

So, with two weeks to go it's very gratifying to see many of my friends online and the national organizations do everything we can to pull out a "W" in OH-5 -- and doing it together.

Maybe this time we'll get that elusive victory?

Contribute to Robin's campaign here

Tim

Photo: Inside the Hackett war room on election night