Nice campaign email from Paul Hackett on gay rights...

[crizzo5137]

I supported this man from the start.. Hes a good guy, lives about 15 minutes from me, and turned a republican stronghold into a close margin against oll mean jean schmidt... He proves there is still hope for America...
.........................
Thursday, January 26, 2006

Last week the Columbus Dispatch published a column about my candidacy that said, in part, the following:

I stand with Paul Hackett"Asked to define being pro-gay rights, Hackett said anybody who tries to deny homosexuals the same rights, including marriage, as every other citizen is un-American. Are you saying, he was asked, that the 62 percent of Ohioans who voted in November 2004 to constitutionally deny same-sex marriages are un-American?

"If what they believe is that we're going to have a scale on judging which Americans have equal rights, yeah, that's un-American. They've got to accept that. It's absolutely un-American." Columbus Dispatch (01/15/06)

http://www.hackettforohio.com/istand

It wasn't long until the Republican attack machine came after me demanding an apology. They called what I said "hate speech." The Republican Party was up to its old tricks again, using fear to silence opposition. They expected me to back down like too many Democrats have in the past.

My response?

I said it. I meant it. I stand behind it. Equal justice under the law for all regardless of who they are and how they were born is fundamental to our American spirit and our American freedoms. Any person or group that argues that the law should not apply equally to all Americans is, frankly, un-American.

http://www.hackettforohio.com/istand

The Republican Party has been hijacked by religious fanatics, who are out of touch with mainstream America. Think of the recent comments by Pat Robertson a religious fanatic by any measure - that the United States should assassinate a democratically elected leader in Venezuela, and that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment because Sharon wished to trade land for peace.

It was about time someone called it like it is.

If there is one thing the Republicans fear it's a fighting Democrat who won't back down when push comes to shove. They rely on fear and intimidation to divide Americans. I believe that those who would use religion and politics to divide rather than unite Americans should be ashamed.

http://www.hackettforohio.com/istand

I will continue to stand up to these extremists who have hijacked the Republican Party and want to divide the country, but I need you by my side to do so. Show the Republican Party that you will not tolerate the extremist behavior of the religious right.

Use the link below to sign a pledge of support. I need to know that you stand with me. I need to know that I can count on you to amplify our message of change. Let the Republican attack machine know you've had enough and refuse to be beaten into submission this time.

http://www.hackettforohio.com/istand

I hope I can count on your continued support. Together, we can fight back AND win in 2006.


Sincerely,

Paul Hackett
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I posted this is GLBT, but hey, if a moderator wants to move this into an area where it gets more views, then... :)

[MercutioATC]

1. Kicked and recommended!

I'm in Cleveland and Hackett has my vote!

[LynzM]

2. I'm out of state, but I support him

A well-spoken, blunt, Democrat with the balls to stand up to the smear machine, in all the forms it takes. He has my respect.

[AX10]

3. I'll support him.

[crizzo5137]

4. And he served in Iraq..

Imagine.. Someone who served in the military to dictate say, when we goto war.. The mind boggles..

[Ally McLesbian]

5. Even Stephanie Miller reported on this

Of course, she's always admired him as a "future husband" - and now she really has a reason to spread his words.

[terrya]

6. I support him 100% I was delighted to read this

I believe Paul Hackett has a great future in the Democratic Party. A very good supporter of our community. He's one of a handful of Democrats who are publically for same-sex marriage. I wish more Democrats were as principled on this issue as Colonel Hackett.

Good for him, good for us and good for the people of Ohio.

[pro_blue_guy]

7. Yayyyyy

Finally, a pro-gay politician from Ohio that stands up and defends his fellow Americans! I'm glad to be from the same state as Mr. Hackett!