David Ashe is Virginia's Paul Hackett.

Here's a good read from our friends over at Raising Kaine discussing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District candidate David Ashe. It seems logical to compare David Ashe to former Ohio congressional candidate Paul Hackett. Both Ashe and Hackett are attorneys, Iraqi War Veterans, U.S. Marine Reservist, and former Democratic congressional candidates.

Unfortunately Ashe and Hackett lost their bids for Congress in 2004 to uber conservative "rubber stamp" (Hackett's description of his opponent) candidates in heavily gerrymandered Republican districts. The good news for both Hackett and Ashe is that they both did well enough last time around that both plan to run for office again in 2006. David Ashe will again take on Thelma Drake, whereas Paul Hackett is seriously considering running for U.S. Senate in Ohio.

Comparing Thelma Drake to David Ashe is akin to comparing a wheel barrel to a dump truck. Nevertheless, winning the 2nd Congressional District - which is home to Pat Robertson's media/religious/real estate business enterprises - will be an uphill battle for Mr. Ashe. Regardless, if the Democratic Party of Virginia can continue find candidates like David Ashe even partisan gerrymandered Congressional Districts - like the 2nd District - will not be enough to protect partisan "rubber stampers" like Thelma Drake.

Best of luck to David Ashe, we will be following this one closely.