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!

If Hack really wanted to beat C. W. (Bill) Young he would have opposed him in the August 26 primary. Who could vote for a candidate w/such meager qualifications and the pretense of being a DEMOCRAT? Wake up America!!

Vote for Change:
It's nice you support Samm but you don't do her any favors by slamming other people. It only makes her look bad. Stick to the issues. bill Young has been good for this county and Samm has said it herself. Once again, Stick to the issues and don't embarrass Samm.

Hack knows he made the biggest mistake of his life by jumping parties and attempting to take on Young. Young would have happily discussed future strategies and runs with Hack but the way he did this, his political career is over. Career politicians, both parties are now calling Hackworth "a wild card and out of control". Better start looking for a civilian job, Hackworth, and give your staff time to find new jobs. No reason to screw them also.

If Hackworth is the right man for the job, why didn't he just face Young in a primary? He is a republican?, and I'm sure the voters in Dunedin who put him where he is now, are not very pleased with this display. I voted for him for Mayor. I would not have, if I would have known that he was just using this position, for something bigger and better. Shame on you Bob! Cheaters never win!

[Vote For Change!]

9:59 am --

You must of been one of those political sages who advised John Kerry not to "slam" George W Bush in the 2004 campaign. Well, we all know what happened. Kerry didn't want to offend the fine sensibilities of "experts" like you. So he didn't differentiate himself CLEARLY, POSITIVELY & DEFINITIVELY from Bush. So it was no surprise he lost.

What I've tried to do in my postings is to show the SAMM SIMPSON IS CLEARLY, POSITIVELY AND DEFINITIVELY THE BEST CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE 10TH CD RACE!

If you or her opponents find the sttrenght and passion with which she presents her issues too intimidating, then they should either get out of the race (after all, "politics ain't beanbag" as the old saying goes), or they should grow themselves a bigger pair!

Samm has amply demonstrated the courage of her convinctions! Have you? Or perhaps the better question is, do you have any?

Vote for Change:
there you go again, embarrassing Samm with your name calling. Samm would have no part of that.

Way to go Hackworth. Between you and that idiot Linn you have messed up the chances for any democrat! (Psstt - Hackworth - the republicans are the ones that voted you in for Mayor)
what a moron!

Sensei: You wrote "Samm has not garnered one single endorsement this cycle"...

Just plain wrong. Local PDA, State PDA, National PDA, Local DFA, St. Pete Dems PAC, Veterans Post News, and two city council folks, and more, all this cycle...

July 8th, 11:44. You write: "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%."

The guy who ran as a Dem the cycle before got 31%. And he wasn't even Humpty.

And because she only raised $40K, the local media basically ignored the race, save those few instances when her supporters were able to beat it into the heads of the media that there was support for her and the race needed to be covered. (See WEDU debates)

So she was at least able to give Young the best run for his money since 1994, and her cost per vote was lower than his. (His campaign evidently thought she was serious enough a threat to do 3 direct mail pieces, something he didn't do in the previous race.)

The fact that Hackworth and Linn are in this race only helps Samm's chances of winning, as the justifiable media it has generated is giving Samm the kind of exposure that she couldn't garner in 06.

Bottom line voters responded positively to Samm's message in 06, because she was in step with the electorate on issues. The reason she lost in 06 had nothing to do with her stances or who she is as a person. There just plain wasn't enough attention paid to the race for her to get her message out, and she had little name recognition.

This time around: radically different environment -- both within the media and in the streets -- and I'm thinking we'll see a radically different result.

Let us not be negative about Samm Simpson because of her lack of experience. Abe Lincoln had 2 years in his state legislature. GWBush had experience as a Governor, Dick Cheney as Sec. of Defense. Look at all the experience that Cong. Young has and he voted for the war,for Bush's "preemptive strike", for Scalia and Thomas. What has he done for the health and welfare of the majority of his constituents?

The big question is, if Bobby gets elected, does that mean he can take his training wheels off?

Hackworth = Republican plant