OH Sen: Hackett (D) to Drop Out of Race

There are signs that Paul Hackett (D-Indian Hill) may indeed comply with the request by DCCC Chair Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and leave the Senate race to run in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. The Cleveland Plain Dealer "blog" reports this afternoon that Hackett has canceled an appearance on MSNBC Hardball scheduled for later today. Hackett's spokesman denied an earlier report of Hackett's withdrawal that was spurred by an email from Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, but the spokesman did indicate that Hackett would be making a statement later. And now Buckeye Senate Blog reports hearing that Hackett will announce his withdrawal form the Senate race tomorrow.
UPDATE: Faminehorse at the terrific blog Psychobilly Democrat has a nice roundup of the Mallory-based report and its aftermath.
2nd UPDATE: The Cleveland Plain Dealer "blog" now quotes Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Tim Burke as saying that both he and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory were told Hackett would drop out of the race today.
3rd UPDATE: It's official, as reported in the Columbus Dispatch here. The surprise is that Hackett will NOT run for Congress. Feeling betrayed by his party, he says he will withdraw from politics altogether. As for my reaction, this is a case where getting half of what one wants is worse than getting naught.