In or out? Don't ask Mallory

The Senate campaign of Paul Hackett was minding its own business Monday morning, trying to figure out how to beat Sherrod Brown, when the following e-mail from Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory started popping into reporters' e-mail files:


Media Statement from
Mayor Mark Mallory
City of Cincinnati

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2006
Contact: Dan Phenicie, 513-602-1227

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory issues the following statement about Paul Hackett's decision to enter the race for the 2nd Congressional District.

"I applaud Paul Hackett for making the difficult decision to step out of the race for the US Senate and to step in to the race for the 2nd Congressional District. Paul's passion and dedication will make him an excellent Congressman for Ohio. It is time for Democrats to come together and focus on providing a clear vision for the future of Ohio and the country."

The problem was, Hackett had made no such announcement, according to Hackett campaign spokesman Karl Frisch.

Only 34 minutes later, Mallory's office put out a second notice to the media, which read as follows:

Media Statement from
Mayor Mark Mallory
City of Cincinnati

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2006
Contact: Dan Phenicie, 513-602-1227

Please note the corrected statement.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory issues the following statement about Paul Hackett's decision to enter the race for the 2nd Congressional District.

"I encourage Paul Hackett to make the difficult decision to step out of the race for the US Senate and step in to the race for the 2nd Congressional District. Paul's passion and dedication will make him an excellent Congressman for Ohio. It is time for Democrats to come together and focus on providing a clear vision for the future of Ohio and the country."

Frisch said the Hackett would put out its own statement later today, but said that Hackett intends to stay in the Senate race.