Hackworth on the trail

So we know one way Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth is keeping off the weight he lost: Biking door-to-door on the campaign trail for Florida's 10th congressional district in Florida's steam-room-like weather.

Bay Buzz spotted the soggy candidate and his two wheels Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg's Old Northeast neighborhood, clipboard in hand with a list of registered Democrats.

To read the previous post about Hackworth's weight shed, read this earlier Bay Buzz post. Hackworth faces Max Linn and Samm Simpson in the Democratic primary Aug. 26. Winner will face uber-incumbent C.W. "Bill" Young, R-Indian Shores.

And if you get a knock on your door from a local candidate, let Bay Buzz know at jjames@sptimes.com Please put CANDIDATE in the subject line.

--Joni James, Times state editor

Comments

zero interest in this hack is about right.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Since Hackworth is the obvious candidate to actually have a chance against Bill Young why wouldn't you have any interest? Are you just that stupid?

[James]

wow... hardhitting... exciting... fast-breaking!
the candidate can ride a bike!
this is reporting worth coming back for!!!!

6:19
When donkeys fly!

If donkeys could fly do you think they would land in the middle of I-4? No, there is only one jackass that did that

i love seeing dems rally around a candidate who was a republican 2 months ago, LOL.

Hackworth couldnt get elected to the State House, much less Congress

[jRaw]

But he was elected mayor, which I believe is still considered an elected position these days. What experience (besides losing elections) does Max and Samm have? ZERO. Bob Hackworth is the ONLY choice to represent the Democrats in November

"What experience (besides losing elections) does Max and Samm have? ZERO. Bob Hackworth is the ONLY choice to represent the Democrats in November"

Your final point may be correct, but there is no reason to be so harsh on Samm. She RAISED $40,000 and garnered 34% of the vote. Max spent $3.5 MILLION of his OWN money for UNDER 2% of the vote.

Samm may suffer from too much optimism, but Max suffers from insanity. It's a big difference.

OK, we can all agree that Max isn't the guy. But between Hackworth and Sammm... Most of the voters I'm talking to these days see being an insider with Republican connections that will fade away as soon as he's running against Young as a bad thing.

Samm's support is solid with the "throw the bums out" crowd, and Hackworth's connection to the system is only seen as a negative to them. Combine that with Samm's grasp of the national issues -- which she's been focussed on for years, while Hackworth has been focussed on small town Dunedin -- and the fact that Samm has been working with the community on issues impacting the entire district -- from the Ratheon toxic cloud in St. Pete to GE Nuclear Workers being screwed out of benefits to veterans county wide not getting the care they deserve to drilling on the coast to in the street/hands on work with the homeless community -- she knows all of the constituents she would be serving better than either of the boys.

It all comes down to whether or not Samm's all volunteer army can impress upon enough of their friends and neighbors that the time for real change is upon us. No more worshipping war chests. No more political insider dealings. The people demanding real change, and the people making it happen. Samm gets the nod there.

As is commonly referenced in the activism community, nothing truely good for the people as a whole ever happened because a politician introduced an idea. It's always been politicians reacting to movements started by everyday citizens: from the end to slavery, to workers rights, to a woman's right to vote, to the Civil Rights Act.

This is all going to come down to whether or not those who talk loudly about change are willing to get behind a change candidate, take to the streets and the phone, and make it happen.

"What experience (besides losing elections) does Max and Samm have? ZERO. Bob Hackworth is the ONLY choice to represent the Democrats in November"

Your final point may be correct, but there is no reason to be so harsh on Samm. She RAISED $40,000 and garnered 34% of the vote. Max spent $3.5 MILLION of his OWN money for UNDER 2% of the vote.

Samm may suffer from too much optimism, but Max suffers from insanity. It's a big difference.

Im just glad that after this primary Hackworths political career will be over. Neither the dems or gop will want him.

With all due respect, Hackworth's experience is he won an election that took about 4K votes to win.

Samm took close to 70K votes last time around. She may not have won, but comparing her race in 2006 to Hackworth's run for Mayor is Major leagues vs minor leagues. Give me a proven solid performer at the major league level over an all-star in the minors any time.

And in the only "races" they've all 3 been in thus far, Samm won. They all debated at the St. Pete Dems Club, and the PAC attached to the org endorsed Samm. (Based on voting by the membership of the club. Florida state party bylaws do not allow the club itself to endorse.)

Samm also has won the endorsements of Pinellas County chapters of DFA and Progressive Democrats Of America, along with the latter's national endorsement. (One of only 17 congressional candidates in the country to get that endorsement.)

So, thus far, it's looking to me like Samm is the the one winning Democratic Party support in head to head regular Joe voting opportunities thus far.

Thats for the info Samm

[jRaw]

It is apparent that Samm Simpson has garnered the support of the local democrat contingencys. I give you that. But her lack of dedication to fund raising and spending money once again give her no chance. Instead of sitting in on Max Linn's speech at the St. Pete Club(a place where she has already been endorsed), wouldn't it have been more fruitful to be out fund raising on her own? Bowling with Samm isn't going to cut it. And what is Samms position on abortion?

"I believe life begins at conception and would never counsel a woman to have an abortion. At the same time I recognize that the majority of Americans say that abortion should remain legal - and utilized in only rare instances. So let's work on making it rare."

Some grasp on a national issue.

So, I ask why is it that Bob Hackworth can ride a bike, is news? My child can too, and he can blow bubbles in the tub.

[AJS]

What everyone here is missing is that neither of these three will beat CW Young. He has broad cross-party appeal, the money, the name recognition, and the respect of those who know him as a legislator and leader. Young wins hands down....

[Sensei]

Samm may have garnered 34% of the vote in 2006, but that didn't then and doesn't now get you elected. She was beaten 2-1 which means that most democrats didn't think she was worthy of a vote. If she goes forward beyond the primary we may as well have a coronation for Bill Young on the beach. Samm is a bad candidate who just doesn't get it. WE need a strong candidate that can really give Bill a run for his money, Bob Hackworth is that candidate. Samm has not garnered one single endorsement this cycle, not even the ones she got in 2006. That says to me that everyone knows she is a wasted vote.
Bill Young has done some good things for the ditrict in the past, but this election is about the future, not what has been done but what needs to be done. Someone with fresh ideas and energy is needed to move this country back to where it belongs, on top. Bob Hackworth is the only candidate in this race that has the chance to beat Bill Young and work with the new administration to bring about change, not keep things the same.

[AJS]

Every election is about the future Sensei. Bill young has done great things for this district in past and continues to do them in the present. He has the experience and know-how to put Pinellas County's issues to the forefront of the Congressional agenda. Hackworth would have a long way to go before he could have any impact on the life of the everyday district 10 constituent.

jraw: 2 months ago he was representing republicans and you say he is the best to represent the democrats. I am a real democrat, have always been and he is a phony, looking for a new job. he can't even represent himself, let alone anyone else.

the 34% of the vote that Samm got, any yellow dog would get. It's automatic. Straight party voting. Her name could be Humpty Dumpty and she still would have got the 34%.Don't boast too much.

[Vote For Change!]

Who is the more adept and accomplished bicycle rider may be a valid qualification for participating in the Tour De France. But it doesn't mean a hill of beans in judging a candidate's Congressional qualifications.

Far more important is the position each candidate has on perhaps the most important issue that Congress has the Constitutional responsibility to deal with -- the issue of War and Peace.

On that issue, there is a very clear and significant difference among the three Democratic candidates -- and Samm Simpson is the ONLY one who's demonstrated the wisdom and courage to endose the DFA's "Responsible Plan To End The War In Iraq."

The St. Petersburg Democratic PAC rewarded Samm for her stand by giving her their endorsement. All like-minded progressive Democrats in District 10 should do the same in the August 26th Primary!

[E]

The Republicans know they cannot win an election running as a Republican. We are being infiltrated by the Republicans and we are falling for this scam. I am very skeptical of candidates that say "I did not leave the Republican Party, it left me". They are still Republicans and will vote as a Reublican. The only Democrat in the race is Samm Simpson. Let's back the Democrat in this race.

Don't all three candidates believe in an exit strategy for the war? Try again Samm. How many "like-minded progressive Democrats in District 10" endorsed Ron Paul?

[Vote For Change!]

Yo 12:31 am --

I'm not Samm. But I am very proud to support her candidacy. She is the ONLY candidate of the three who has powerfully and courageously opposed the War in Iraq ... and did it when most Democrats ... as the Republicans posing as Democrats who oppose her ... were carefully and mincingly parsing their oh-so-nuanced postions on the War.

So, to answer the question you posed -- every candidate, even John McCain, has an "exit strategy" for the war (McCain's just happens to be after 100 yrs of occupation). But Samm is the ONLY one who strongly OPPOSES the continuation of the USA's imperial misadventure there!