Ohio 'victory' may not be what it seems

Democrats, elated over the 48% showing of their candidate, Paul Hackett, in a House special election in Ohio this week, should not be celebrating the results of the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections just yet.

That advice from Michael Crowley at the New Republic, who says, among other things:

[Hackett's] opponent was an uncharismatic, washed-up ex-state representative. And his candidacy combined two elements--his stirring Iraq service and the full firepower of the liberal blogosphere--in a way that few other Democrats will be able to replicate come fall of 2006.

Democratic bloggers loved Hackett's campaign and gave it a lot of attention. Crowley's piece includes a hilarious description of Hackett going online with the bigtime Dem blog, DailyKos. Turns out he doesn't speak the language.