Everything I need to know…

…about Paul Hackett's noisy political departure is summed up neatly by Matt Stoller (my emphasis)...

...As far as I can tell, Paul Hackett was going to lose this primary. It was always clear that Brown led by a huge amount in name ID, and Ohio, with lots of media markets, is not a state where you can overcome these handicaps without a lot of money. Hackett didn't have this money, and he wasn't going to get it. His campaign was in disarray, and his inexperience as a candidate showed in his sloppy messaging. At the same time, the existing political establishment was predicting a loss for Hackett, and suggesting that channels of money and support not engage his candidacy. And if your gauge is political victory, they were right.

...and if you gauge is not political victory, it's time to put down the pipe.

Eyes on the prize.