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Thursday, August 04, 2005

When Close is Close Enough

This post from Hesiod is so on-target, I'm reproducing it in its entirety:

Today, the Republicans are desperately spinning the astounding narrow defeat of Paul Hackett in Tuesday’s Special election for the 2nd Congressional District of Ohio.

In November, 2004 — George W. Bush received 64% of the vote in this district. Defeating John kerry by a 28% margin!

Still, they say it’s still a loss and doesn’t mean anything.

But, if you want concrete ammunition to demonstrate how a close defeat in a major uphill race can be a harbinger of bigger and better things, take a look at this:

1974

U.S CONGRESS

REP. JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT 52%
BILL CLINTON 48%

Clinton attempted to launch his political career when he was 28 years old by challenging an entrenched Republican incumbent Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt in 1974. Hammerschmidt was first elected to Congress in 1966 to serve Arkansas’ Third district, which is in the northwestern part of the state, and a Republican stronghold. Hammerschmidt had received 77 percent of the vote in the 1972 election. Clinton came close, losing by only 5000 votes out of 170,000 votes cast.

Helping to defeat Clinton were Republican claims that he was an anti-war protester while in college. Although Clinton was narrowly defeated, the race drew statewide attention.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

1976: Attorney General of Arkansas
1978: Governor of Arkansas
1992: President of the United States

If only Paul Hackett should do that poorly.

Posted at 08:34 PM in General | Technorati

Comments

Remember also, John Kerry didn't do so hot when he first got home from 'nam.

Paul Hackett is a helluva great man. Rock On!

Posted by: Bob Brigham at August 4, 2005 11:02 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Did Hackett say anything about running for office again in the near future... I know we have an incumbent senator that someone like Hackett could take out for sure.

http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/5/91358/24366

Posted by: Scott Baecker at August 5, 2005 09:34 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment