Blogs and Paul Hacketts campaign

A lot of people going around Lancaster shouting at the top of their lungs that Paul Hackett's campaign did fairly well because of bloggers. If you don't know who he is, he ran for Congress in Ohio for the 2nd District. He would have been the first Iraq War veteran if he had won (but he didn't).

They say that Hackett received $475,000 in online contributions due to the efforts of bloggers. And that seems to be partly true.

Hackett does appear to have received $475,000 in online contributions. But was it all due to blogs?

Doubts were immediately raised in my mind.

For example, I discovered this link.

BURLINGTON, VT -- In only 48 hours, Democracy for America has raised nearly $80,000 in an e-mail solicitation for Paul Hackett's race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. The e-mail from DFA Chair Jim Dean was sent to Democracy for America supporters across the country.

So at least $80,000 was raised without the help of blogs. This was a link I found in about 1 minute on Google. Who knows how many other organizations sent out an email solicitation? And who knows how much more was raised after the 48 hours?

I've also been told Howard Dean sent out an email solicitation as well. How much do you think that email raised without the help of blogs?

Think about how many ways online you could be directed to the contribution website of Paul Hackett. Do you really think blogs played any kind of significant role in this?

Numerous email solicitations, numerous websites (like the Ohio Democratic Party website which directed visitors to donate), banner and popup ads, and a variety of other forms of media like TV and radio, too. Those can all direct individuals to the contribution website of http://www.hackettforcongress.com without the help of blogs.

In reality, I believe that blogs did not play a significant role in raising this money.

And what does it matter? Hackett didn't win anyway. Just another deceptive Democrat down the tubes. It's just sad when you have to brag about how close you came to not losing this time in an election.

Has the Democratic Party really come to this?