Democratic National Committee leaders were expected to meet with Hackett yesterday in Washington. So, too, was Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), has called Hackett more than once in the past few weeks to sound him out about a run in 2006.

Members of Ohio's congressional delegation also have urged Hackett to run or, at least, spoken with him about the race. JoAnna Kuebler, communications director for Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who had been touted as a possible Senate contender himself, said Brown and Hackett had discussed the "incompetence and corruption" that, she said, stems from one-party rule -- in Columbus, Ohio, where Republicans control the state government, and in Washington.

"If I were the person, I would want a commitment for support that would be lasting and not be based upon the political conditions that may exist at any given time throughout the campaign," Strickland said. "I would want staying power on the part of the Senate committee."

DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said that the committee is "committed to winning this race, and our candidate will have the resources to do so." Singer declined to comment on any conversations between Schumer and Hackett.

Michael Culp, executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party, suggested that Hackett might run for another statewide office. Democratic sources said Hackett is open to running for state attorney general but more eager to run for Senate.