D's lose again in Ohio

[strandinthewind]

Iraq war vet loses close race in Ohio
Democrat in congressional election blasted Bush policies

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) -- A Republican former state lawmaker has claimed a seat in Congress by narrowly defeating an Iraq war veteran who drew national attention to the race with his military service and a series of harsh attacks on President Bush.

But Democrats said they, too, had reason to celebrate -- pointing to the close race as a sign of promise heading into next year's midterm elections.

With all precincts reporting, Jean Schmidt had 52 percent, or 57,974 votes, compared with Democrat Paul Hackett's 48 percent, or 54,401 votes. Schmidt's margin of victory amounted to about 3,500 votes out of more than 112,000 cast.

Democrats had viewed the race as a bellwether for 2006, saying even a strong showing by Hackett in such a heavily GOP district would give them a lift. Hackett didn't rule out another run next year.

"There's no safe Republican district. You can run, but you cannot hide," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Schmidt, 53, will replace Republican Rob Portman, who stepped down this year after being named U.S. trade representative by Bush. Portman held the seat for 12 years, consistently winning with more than 70 percent of the vote in the Cincinnati-area district.

Schmidt billed herself as an experienced leader more in tune with the district than Hackett. She also consistently supported Bush on the war. Schmidt had served as a state representative from 2001 until 2004, when she narrowly lost a GOP primary bid for state Senate.

"We began this race way back in late March, and no one had thought we'd be the focus of the national media or be the so-called first test of the Republican Party and the Bush mandate. Well, ladies and gentleman, we passed that test," Schmidt said.

Tom Reynolds, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Schmidt won because she ran on the "issues of greatest importance" to 2nd District voters.

Hackett, 43, a lawyer and Marine reservist who recently completed a seven-month tour in Falluja, Iraq, was vying to become the first combat veteran of the war to serve in Congress.

"This was a success. We should all be proud," Hackett told cheering supporters. "The voters of the 2nd District won because we gave them a choice."

He drew attention to the race with his flame-throwing assaults on Bush, namely for the president's July 2003 "bring 'em on" comment about Iraqi insurgents. Hackett called it the "most incredibly stupid comment" he ever heard a president make, saying it "cheered on the enemy."

Hackett said he expects to return to Iraq with his unit sometime next year. Grinning when supporters cheered "'06" -- referring to the regularly scheduled election -- he said he will have to think it over.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate who lost in Ohio, called the result "a warning signal to the Washington Republican establishment and the Ohio Republican Party."

Detroit elections
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and former deputy mayor Freman Hendrix emerged from a 12-candidate mayoral primary to advance to November's general election. With 95 percent of the precincts reporting, Hendrix had 44 percent of the vote and Kilpatrick had 34 percent -- easily outdistancing their rivals.

Kilpatrick was heralded as Detroit's next great hope when he was elected four years ago at age 31, but his term has been marred by a $300-million budget deficit, scrutiny over his running up large bills on a city credit card, and the city's lease of a luxury SUV for his family.

In another race in Detroit, Motown singing legend Martha Reeves was one of 18 City Council candidates to advance to the general election. Reeves, 64, was the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas and had hit singles that included "Dancing in the Street," "Jimmy Mack" and "Nowhere to Run."

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