In the general election, the Democratic "Dayton Daily News" endorsed Hackett. The "Daily News" said Schmidt's attacks on Senators R. Michael DeWine and George V. Voinovich were "remarkably classless" and "seemed to be saying that voters who like legislators who exercise occasional independence from their party should not vote for her." The "Daily News" said Hackett was "not your classic suburban liberal" and urged "voter looking for something beyond a conventional political background" to support him. "The Cincinnati Post" also endorsed Hackett. It noted Schmidt is the latest in a line of "Republican patricians" and "likely to be a dependable vote for the Bush administration" whereas Hackett is a gust of fresh air. If we had to put a label on him, it would be Libertarian Democrat. He says what he thinks and doesn't seem to have much use for the orthodoxy or the partisanship of either party."