More lessons from the Ohio Congressional special election

Pete Ross, writing at The Emerging democratic Majority discusses some reactions to the narrow win Jean Schmidt pulled out over Paul Hackett.

• The National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti points out that special elections have unique characteristics, so this one may not mean anything. ("Whistling past the graveyard" reaction.)
• Newt Gingrich was reported saying "It should serve as a wake-up call to Republicans."
• The liberal blogosphere raised about $500,000 for Hackett. Hackett's total budget was only $750,000.
• Hackett's refusal to water down his criticism of Bush's Iraq war or avoid the anti-corruption message was a net positive, particularly with swing voters.

The result of the special election is going to be a harsher message against the administration in November 06, more money raised by the blogosphere, and the Democrats should find it easier to recruit good candidates. As I said earlier today, November 2006 is going to be an interesting election.