The Portage Democratic Coalition (PDC) rose from the ashes of the 2004 Portage Citizens for Kerry campaign (for my description of the first meeting see http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0130-11.htm The group was started by activists oriented toward national politics (probably because they were Internet users) and discouraged over the ineffectiveness of the Portage County Democratic Party with its petty cronyism and low horizons. After almost a year of gaining in strength and organization, PDC members were galvanized by the appearance of Paul Hackett on December 1, 2005.

Hackett was lean and keen, brisk and focused, with a ready smile and a friendly, disarming manner, his clear even voice occasionally lapsing into entertaining and plausible impersonations of George W. Bush or John F. Kennedy. Before taking questions he spoke for an hour, extempore, both hands free, generating frequent bursts of applause for statements like:

"Republicans have morphed. Now they want to tell me how to live my personal life, worship their God, to tell my wife what to do with her body, and how you should view others."

"Iraq is chaos now, and will continue to be chaos after we leave. It won’t be easy or quick, but they will figure it out."

"This administration is totally out of touch with the professional military. No one in the Marine Corps thinks torture is acceptable. They don’t tolerate it, it’s not professional, it doesn’t work, and if you use it, you will get it back."

In December Portage County progressives were somewhat uneasy about a contest between this colorful newcomer who was raising timely, urgent issues, and their old friend Sherrod Brown who had long been working for values and policies they believed in. But they were also excited at the prospect of a primary race with two competent, articulate, personable, and politically progressive candidates. They welcomed the opportunity to discuss – critically and in depth with both candidates – questions of war, torture, jobs, health care and the economy.

Although most PDCers didn’t know who they would end up voting for, they felt that this was the way democracy was supposed to work, that Ohio Democrats could handle it, and that either Brown or Hackett would make an outstanding Senator. And most believed that Hackett’s flamboyant style would make national news of the U.S. Senate primary in Ohio.

The sudden news this week of Hackett’s withdrawal was greeted by PDC members with dismay, disappointment, regret, and feelings of betrayal:

"I didn’t think he would do that."

"We can ill afford to lose someone like that."

"This will disillusion people we need to attract."

"I liked him. I wish he hadn’t pulled out."

There was a good bit of resentment – at what people perceive as meddling in local politics by "kingmakers" in Washington. Many believe that Hackett was forced out of the race by powerful Democrats in Washington who pressed large contributors to withhold contributions needed to fund his statewide campaign. Some thought that Hackett withdrew because he believed polls showed he couldn’t win; others held that Hackett realized he couldn’t raise enough money to compete in a contest expected to cost $30 million total. A few claimed that he had been over-reliant on Internet and blog support.

Are PDC members typical of Ohio Democrats statewide? Probably not. PDC members are well educated and well informed; they are active in both in local and national politics and have been dabbling in Internet politicking; they are religious liberals; they are affluent enough to be able to make campaign contributions, but not wealthy enough to contribute large sums or make repeated contributions.

But they share with all Ohio Democrats anger and despair over the war in Iraq, indignation about tax cuts for the rich and cuts to education, health and environmental programs. They are distressed by the Bush-bungling of security and Katrina and anxious about the costs of oil and global warming. Like Democrats everywhere they are outraged over torture and domestic spying and genuinely afraid that Bush intends to bomb Iran, start new wars and develop nuclear weapons, and that there is no way to stop him.

My personal impression, colored by serving 12 years on the Senate staff of another former Marine officer, is that Paul Hackett was – and still is -- potentially another John Glenn who would bring the same passion for justice and practical democracy, the same sense of responsibility for his actions, the same loyalty to and respect for his constituents and staff, the same earnest search for sound and comprehensive information, and the same professionalism and self-discipline that made Glenn an effective legislator.

In my brief encounter with him I sensed a fire-in-the-belly & glint-in-the eye that will not be easily quenched. Frank, passionate, smart, and articulate, he’s bigger than most of the leading Democrats on the national stage. Whenever and wherever he returns to politics he will be a formidable presence.

But in Ohio this year -- without Hackett -- there’s no contest.

Caroline Arnold served 12 years on the staff of Senator John Glenn and is now active with the Akron Council on World Affairs , Kent Environmental Council and the Portage Democratic Coalition.