While I think my support currently leans toward Hackett, I would be happy if either one of the candidates stepped down to rally behind the other.

I don't agree though that the netroots is lining up behind Hackett because he is a truth teller and that is more important than ideology.

I think it's a matter of most people not knowing who the heck Sherrod Brown is. Plus everyone fell in love with Paul Hackett just a few months ago. Many people invested time and money into his race and followed it intensely.

Sherrod just doesn't have the street cred with the Kos community. Oh well, he's still got my vote. And I agree that he would be the best Democratic senator in the country if we won (considering that Bernie Sanders is technically an independent).

If he can prove himself statewide against another progressive, then he's the man to take down DeWine.  If not, then, all the much better Brown was in the race.  As long as they can keep it above the belt, this is a great development, IMHO.  Or IMNSHO, if you prefer.  ;)

I just have the feeling that the Republicans would have a field day painting Brown as too lefty for Ohio.

His youth, big ego, temper, and lack of a voting record have me worried he could turn out to be less of a progressive than he seems.  I'd really hate to dedicate time to a future Lieberman.

But with Brown we have a 100% guarantee of awesomeness.

Hackett is beloved of the netroots, but the netroots need to remember that we're just one leg of the big chair that is the party (and we love attention, just like the other legs do). Both candidates look great, but I trust Jerome's arguments for Brown; there are worse things than contested primaries, but I'd like to see Hackett run for something else statewide. (Also, if we imagine that either candidate would win, wouldn't you rather have a Senator with prior experience of elective office than one without?)  

10. Sherrod Brown is already being mocked by the press for his waffle (or Decision Consistency Agility as you glass is half full types would say)

9. Paul Hackett's straight talk is loved by the press

8. Congressman Tim Ryan encouraged Hackett to run

7. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee urged Hackett to run

6. Hackett positioned himself behind the other Democrats, but has a nation-wide base

5. The Democratic Blogosphere delivered for Hackett -- even winning the Political Play of the Week

4. Hackett has a 70% pt. lead in the netroots

3. Unlike Brown, Hackett has great timing

2. Hackett can win in rural Ohio

1. In a nation at war, a Marine Major outranks a Washington Politician -- Congress needs an Iraq War Veteran

Sherrod Brown is a waffle, Mike DeWine is toast, and Major Hackett is hungry.

It is worth noting that Ted Strickland is also "flip-flopper" when judged by the same standards.  And yet how many on this blog threw their hands up in dismay when he retracted his earlier statement in order challenge Mayor Coleman for the Democratic nomination?

For all we know, it is possible that one evening Congressman Strickland turned to Brown, who has been actively campaigning on his behalf, and said:
"Sherrod, I appreciate everything you've done for me in my efforts to save Ohio.  But more than anything else I want to know that I'll have a Senator back in DC fighting for Ohio once I'm elected Governor.  And there is nobody that I'd trust more than you."

Whatever you think about primaries, they aren't for the those who jump at the first sign of danger.  It says wondrous things about every Democrat on Ohio's '06 ballot that they were willing to risk time and tears for the opportunity to help their state.

And I have faith that Hackett and Brown are both men of such high ideals that they would never cripple one another in a primary.  Regardless of who they are, our nominee will be all the more strong from having passed through a primary.

Our Democratic stable is not as deep as the Republicans. Often the candidates with the money and the muscle to mount a serious campaign are either compromised or centrist.

Brown is neither.  On trade, on poverty, on corporate abuses of power, on every core Democratic cause he has been there fighting in the trenches.  (Ever wish for a Congressmen who cares about malaria and TB - the diseases of poverty - in the 3rd World as much as the hollowing out of American industry?)

But he does have the juice to mount a serious challenge to DeWine, and wrest OHIO, that crucial swing state, from Republican control.  

Kudos to Maj Hackett for his 1st run. I look forward to more. But Sherrod Brown is that rare combination we can't wait any longer for - someone with the skills to win elections, but the heart to stay uncorrupted.  

Hackett may be promising, but Brown is tried and tested- the true metal I've been waiting for.

I would have supported Brown if he had run when first asked, but not now.  Hackett will make a really strong candidate.  He's likely to be stronger at attracting moderate Ohio voters as a vet and with his gun stand (which I don't agree with).

I pray we don't have a messy divisive primary because we'll waste money and DeWine can only benefit.

The Washington Dem establishment definitely is becoming less and less popular out here in the heartland.  If they truly want to help the country and get a Senate majority and perhaps a House majority in 2006, they'll convince Brown to run for re-election.

Contested primaries are, IMO, generally a good thing.  In this case, they can take two candidates with lower statewide name recognition than the incumbent Senator, and push them both into the media spotlight so they enter the general well known.  If they campaign cleanly and keep their attacks on each other fact-based and spend much of their energy criticizing DeWine instead of each other, the primary can be a great boost of free media for the Democratic side, and drive up DeWine's negatives.  And if it's a real contest between the two, they will each have a chance to build and test a field & GOTV operation they can then use in the general.