There are no moral victories in politics. Only victories and defeats. There is no Miss Congeniality prize.
Democrat newcomer Paul Hackett lost narrowly in Ohio in a special U.S. House election Tuesday. He ran a good race. He was a good candidate.
But he lost.
I don't care how others in my party are spinning this, that his narrow loss is actually a "victory" since the Republican didn't win by a sufficient enough margin. This is a victory because Ohio is "less red" than thought.
Not buying it.
Bottom line: A great Democrat is not going to Washington, DC. A Republican is.
I didn't expect what you're going to read below from a military veteran. He more than anyone else should realize the zero sum nature of both war and politics.
I hate getting these emails. It's like something you'd tell your U12 soccer team that lost a close match against a tougher opponent. That's fine for kids, not fine for people in the electing Democrats business.
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY.
We Democrats all too often are willing to accept that horrible feeling in the bottom of our stomachs when we lose. We have to get over accepting that feeling. Great athletes don't accept it. People facing life threatening illnesses don't accept it. Tough labor union negotiators don't accept it. Great trial lawyers don't accept it. But we Democrats all too often do.
Mr. Hackett lost. It stings. He was a great candidate. Lots of people worked hard on his campaign, including some of my blogging colleagues here in South Dakota. Everyone is to be commended on a good effort. Hopefully, Paul will run again. Learn lessons from the loss.
But don't call it a "victory."
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Dear Todd Epp,
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Yesterday, one of the reddest regions in America turned a whole lot bluer.
I ran in a special election to serve in the United States House of Representatives from the 2nd District of Ohio. I am a Marine recently returned from Iraq, a husband, a father, an attorney, and a Democrat.
When I won the Democratic primary for this contest, few people believed we had a shot at victory. But DFA put its faith in me -- and went to work organizing on the ground and online. Your support helped build the greatest Democratic get-out-the-vote effort this district has ever known.
While we didn't pull out a victory yesterday -- we came incredibly close. We got 48 percent of the vote. And in those results rests hope for the future.
It had been 15 years since a Democratic candidate for Congress received more than 30 percent of the vote in Ohio's 2nd District and decades since a Democrat held the seat. Your support helped me improve Democratic performance by nearly 20 percent. This is a victory for democracy. And if we can do this in Ohio -- we can do it anywhere.
Join me, and help DFA elect Democrats in Ohio and across the country:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/bat
We have the power to win back Congress. Yesterday proved it. And DFA is on the front lines of the fight -- determined, hopeful and fearless.
I believe we can change this country. I believe we can win in every state -- and I know that you do too. Please join me today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/bat
Thank you,
Paul Hackett