Hackworth: Losing to win against Bill Young

If you're seeing less of Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth these days, there's a reason. There's 46 fewer pounds.

The longshot Democratic challenger to Republican U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young started a 1,500-calories-a-day diet after his doctor told him he had two options: take blood pressure and cholesterol medication or drop some weight.

The former bike racer weighed 238 pounds at the time. He opted for the exercise and diet and within three months was down to 192.

Hackworth, who turns 53 next week, said his health, not his campaign, drove him to lose the weight. But the results pay off on the campaign trail too. “There’s no way I could be doing the schedule I’m doing if I was still 40 pounds heavier,” he said.

— Tamara El-Khoury, Times Staff Writer

Comments

wow, what a joke. So Linn can only get campaign coverage by landing his plane on the interstate, and this guy can only get coverage by losing weight. i'd be excited if i were them, lol. Go Samm!

No Balls to stay in the republican party and run against Young.

[Satchel]

Unreal. The Times is again pandering to the local officials. Gee, wonder who the Times will endorse in this election . . . big mystery.

[Kevin]

It worked so well for Huckabee, maybe all the republicans should lose weight and run for office. Should they all become Democrats first?

[Bryan, Safety Harbor, FL]

Apparently you have to be skinny if you want to beat a grandmother in a primary. LOL

[Sensei]

Since Hackworth is the only credible candidate in the race to unseat Young the Times would be well suited to endorse him. The other two are the farthest from congressional as you can get. Samm couldn't even get past 34% in a change election year where Republicans were losing seats left and right, which means that some democrats would rather vote against someone with her ideas than for her, plus she has a crossover appeal of 0. Which if anyone can do math means that no matter what she cannot win the seat. Max Lin is as the paper called him a "political buffoon".
We have had enough sacrificial lambs, it's time to back a candidate that can actually beat Young. Hackworth is that candidate.

[Grasshopper]

well... actually, Sensei (yeah right)... Hackworth was set to switch and jump in by the Republicans, in fear that Samm might just take the powerful CW out in THIS change year.

Praise CW all you want, but no incumbent is safe this season... not any of them.

[Sensei]

There is a reason you are a grasshopper, because you no nothing. Hackworth jumped in the race because there are no other candidates in the race that can take on CW. I never praised CW, he is definitely in trouble, but not from Samm. She is way too far out there to stimulate anyone, except the far-left loser liberals that give good democrats a bad name. Before speaking make sure you actually know what you are talking about, LOSER.

Exactly where does Hackworth stand on the issues.

Is he pro life or pro abortion? Will he hold the line on spending or accept increasing taxes? Will he vote to stay in Iraq and continue that foray in nation building or will he seek to have our troops withdraw by a date certain? How about health care, is he for universal health care and if so who will fund it? Does Hackworth want the border secure and illegal aliens deported? Where does Hackworth stand on traditional vs same sex marriage *(note his city commission recently had some sort of gay, lesbian, transgender presentation and proclimation). How about the 2nd Amendment? Energy independence, does Hackworth support $4+ gallon gas or drilling and refining right here in the good ole USA including in Florida?

Finally, and perhaps most important, will Hackworth vote for Speaker Pelosi to continue her role and thus ensure that a radical liberal agenda for Congress is in place for two more years?

[onlooker]

www.bobhackworth.com

Hackworth = Republican plant