
(New poll update at bottom.)
Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post has written a story in his Morning Fix political news analysis that is sure to cause conniption fits over at the Daily Kos which endorsed "Republican" Dede Scozzafava in the New York 23rd CD race that has now grabbed the attention of the political world. The political news that Cillizza has reported looks great for Conservative Doug Hoffman, bad for Scozzafava, and very depressing for the Daily Kos (and Newt Gingrich):
The Iowa caucuses may be more than two years from now but a series of moves by potential Republican presidential contenders has turned a special election in New York's 23rd district into an early test of conservative bona fides.
In the last week three GOPers with an eye on 2012 -- former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.), Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin -- have weighed in on the race with Tpaw and Palin throwing their support behind Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman and Gingrich endorsing state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava.
(Polling and conversations with those close to the contest on both sides suggest it is now a two-person race between Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens with Scozzafava fading badly.)
Besides Scozzafava another apparent loser in the NY-23 race seems to be Newt Gingrich who sent an e-mail to Cillizza pleading a bit too desperately the reasons for his support for the quickly fading Scozzafava:
Gingrich, for his part, insisted in an e-mail to the Fix that the special election was not -- and should not be interpreted as -- a conservative litmus test, and explained that his endorsement of Scozzafava was entirely about respecting local party leaders.
Gingrich noted that Hoffman had run against Scozzafava for the Republican nomination and lost at a series of county meetings; he warned of the "grave danger of establishing the precedent that every faction can run a third party candidate if they lose a primary or a convention," adding that such a strategy is "the road to re-elect [President] Obama and make [Nancy] Pelosi speaker for life."
Give it up, Newt. When you are on the same side as the far left Daily Kos, you know you have problems. And speaking of the Daily Kos they are currently in the process of playing down the lastest Club For Growth poll showing Hoffman surging into the lead. They are basically saying something like: "Please don't believe that Club For Growth Poll because it has a conservative agenda. You should believe our own outdated poll with a leftwing agenda."
Even the Democrat candidate Bill Owens isn't buying the Daily Kos premise that Hoffman is still far back in the pack as Cillizza noted yesterday:
Need more evidence of Hoffman's relevance? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, after spending several hundred thousand dollars bashing Scozzafava, switched its ad traffic over the weekend to a new commercial hitting Hoffman.
The ad, which was produced by the firm of former DCCC executive director John Lapp, paints Hoffman as a millionaire who is out of touch with the economic hardships of many in the district. "Millionaire Doug Hoffman has a waterfront island home...even a classic car collection," says the ad's narrator. (Hellooooo class warfare!)
Your humble correspondent will be looking intently at the surest sign over the next few days that the Daily Kos doesn't believe in its own flawed poll if they end up switching their endorsement from Scozzafava, who now appears to have almost no chance to win, to the Democrat in the race.
One thing we can all agree on (with possible exception of Gingrich and the Daily Kos) is Cillizza's final observation yesterday about this campaign:
No matter the outcome, the viability of Hoffman's candidacy makes proves -- yet again -- the unpredictability of electoral politics. Man this stuff is fun.
UPDATE: A new Neighborhood Research poll has just come out showing the following results: Hoffman 34.1%, Democrat Bill Owens 29.2%, and Scozzafava 13.9%, with a ±4.8% margin of error. Among definite voters, it's Hoffman 37.5%, Owens 28.4%, and Scozzafava 13.5%, with a ±5.6% margin of error. Daily Kos switching its endorsement to the Democrat in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.



















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Chairman Crybaby
October 27, 2009 - 08:19 ET by Apodicticwill be paying close attention to this. Newt made a huge mistake with his endorsement, which will render him irrelevant going forward.
Newt needs
October 27, 2009 - 09:12 ET by 10ksnookerto try atanding on principles for once.
Good Riddance!
October 27, 2009 - 12:05 ET by GeneralAlScuzxzy is going to get her liberal RINO butt whipped and Newt is going to be rendered totally irrelevant! He can keep going to the talk shows with his buddy, McCrossTheAisle but as far as the Republican party, he is a "Has Been!"
I'm Originally From New York
October 27, 2009 - 12:20 ET by GeneralAlI'm originally from New York and in 1970, the Rockefeller Rinos nominated Charles [Get out of Vietnam] Goodel for a full term as Senator after being appointed to fill the seat of RFK.
When the Conservative Party nominated James Buckley, the Republicans when into cardiac arrest. A third party is dangerous to the two party system in merica was the outcry! You know what happened? We elected Buckley because he represented what we believed!
He lost in 1976 to Daniel Moynihan in response to the Nixon fiasco. Since that time, every time the Republicans have run a strong Conservative, they've won! They lose when they become liberal [Can you spell Alphonse D'Amato?]!
Vote Hoffman!
Newt
October 27, 2009 - 08:29 ET by Texndoc"explained that his endorsement of Scozzafava was entirely about respecting local party leaders"
Now explain sitting on the couch with Pelosi and "climate change" er, "global warming".
Get lost.
Newt is a
October 27, 2009 - 08:52 ET by mattmNewt is a carpetbagger.
The Republican Party has been infiltrated by liberals and the Party leaders are too stupid to notice.
The DOP (Dumb old party) had better wake up soon...
It's all about Palin
October 27, 2009 - 13:29 ET by ThisnThatThis isn't about Newt. It's about Sarah Palin. If Hoffman wins, Palin wins bigger. She is about to get the reputation as a Playmaker. She really had no horse in this race at the beginning; but she clearly recognized who the conservative was. Republicans around the country will begin to worry, I hope, whether they are being watched by Palin, or whether she will by-pass them when it's necessary to do so.
And don't worry about Hoffman voting for any Dim bill that is against conservative principles. He will be on the Republican side -- when Republicans make sense, that is.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
There's your problem...
October 27, 2009 - 08:38 ET by c5then"Gingrich, for his part, insisted in an e-mail to the Fix that the special election was not -- and should not be interpreted as -- a conservative litmus test, and explained that his endorsement of Scozzafava was entirely about respecting local party leaders."
In a party that has given us Scozzafava and Colins and Snow and Specter, etc. respecting party leaders "choice" about who gets to run and who doesn't is part of the problem.
Throw 'da bums out!!!
Before it's too late.
www.loyaltoliberty.com
...and here are a couple more problems:
October 27, 2009 - 08:54 ET by needleGingrich... warned of the "grave danger of establishing the precedent that every faction can run a third party candidate if they lose a primary or a convention…"
Yikes! We don’t want any stinking democracy around here!
…adding that such a strategy is "the road to re-elect [President] Obama and make [Nancy] Pelosi speaker for life."
Which is only slightly worse than re-electing RINOs for life.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
Sadly
October 27, 2009 - 08:40 ET by KC MulvilleSadly, I think we now have proof that Newt is Republican first, conservative second.
The GOP's argument that they are the only way to promote conservative principles has been shown false. Since Reagan, we elected Republicans, but when they weren't conservative, the party bombed ... both in actual performance and at the ballot box.
It's simply stupid to argue that conservatives must accept liberals if we want to advance a conservative agenda. I mean, that's contradictory on the face of it. It either fools conservatives to dilute their conservatism, or it offers a ridiculously obvious deceit to the liberals (why would a liberal want to join the GOP if they're only being used to pad the vote so that conservatives can win?). This is the illogic of political parties. As soon as you look at them closely and ask questions, you discover that they're hollow intellectually.
The Republican party pushes that argument only because we don't have a different vehicle to oppose it. Now, with the Hoffman success, maybe we have a way to be freed from the slavery to the "moderate" Republican establishment.
Exactly
October 27, 2009 - 09:28 ET by BlondeThis so-called republican is exactly like Alen Specter, run as a republican because it's easier to get elected that way, nothing more. If elected, she'd pull a Specter and switch parties to retain her position if expedient. (How's that working out for you Arlen....do you enjoy the kiddie table at Thanksgiving?).
Newt's reasoning to "respect local party poltics" is so much hog wash. John Cornyn and the Senate Republicans endorsed Charlie Crist on the day he announced for the Senate. I suppose they figured this "highly popular" (well, he was before he hugged Obama) Republican governor could beat all democratic comers. Guess what? They're running the nepotic Kendric Meek (hmmm....what happened to Rob Wexler? No journalism happening there with his sudden resignation).
The fine young conservative Marco Rubio is sweeping all of the local straw votes. Wonder who Newt's backing in this race, hmmmm?
If the RINO's are so in love with Charlie and his chances, pull him out now and run him in two years against the Space Senator, democrat Bill Nelson.
I truly hope Hoffman wins, and sends a huge message to the RINO establishment. If I wanted a Dem-light candidate, I'd vote democrat. According to the latest (Pugh?) poll, 40 percent of Americans self-identify as conservatives. So the idiot Republicans need to quit pandering to us only during elections. We want conservatives, now. Not RINO's, and not the lesser of two evils.
I hope he fails, too.
I could care less about the
October 27, 2009 - 10:02 ET by BruzillaI could care less about the Obama hug. Crist lost my vote when he cozied up to the trial lawyers and agreed to renew the liability insurance fiasco that finally ended two years ago. Now, once again, we have to pay a fortune for liability insurance AND we're able to get sued after an accident, when the purpose of having the liability insurance was to prevent you from getting sued! Thanks Charlie!
I was merely trying to make the point
October 27, 2009 - 10:40 ET by Blonde....that Crist is not as popular as he once was amongst the non-political freaks like us. People who are simply Republicans without thinking about it, and vote that way.
I'm just annoyed that supposed conservatives like Newt and Cornyn are backing RINO's....and worse, DIABLO's.
I hope he fails, too.
Newt is not a conservative.
October 27, 2009 - 08:42 ET by MazziNewt is not a conservative. He is a politician who decided to play on the republican team. As such, everything he does (historically) has to be weighed in that light.
He sometimes does come down on the side of true conservatives, and at other times, he covers his political butt (or tries to).
This is the kind of thing that has almost destroyed our wonderful country. We have "politicians", rather than volunteer citizens as our forefounders intended. And publicly-educated citizens have been dumbed down to the point that they have no clue about what made our country great.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
October 27, 2009 - 09:12 ET by jessieHIf you put a label that says beef stew on a can of dog food, it doesn't make it stew. The people aren't looking the other way, any more. We are watching, and listening, to the lies coming out of washington. The reign of democrats & republicans is about to end, hopefully, soon.
Yep, but it may take a few
October 27, 2009 - 09:14 ET by 10ksnookerYep, but it may take a few cycles to get back to Constitutional principled governance.
Throw All The Bums Out!
October 27, 2009 - 10:05 ET by iveseenitallSaw Hoffman on Beck. Seems like a "regular" guy. Did someone say --"Representative government of the people, by the people, for the people"?
TERM LIMITS!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Regular Guy
October 27, 2009 - 12:21 ET by TheAssessorI saw Hoffman on Beck too. It's interesting how lots of people automatically pre-judge on the good looks, the charm, the outward indicators. Same with Christie in NJ. He's overweight so it's seen as a way for Corizine to win. Huh? Hoffman is a regular no frills guy who appears to be geniunely interested in serving the country. I wonder what would happen if we only used radio to 'listen' to people's views; then only get to see them after they're elected. Imagine that? No need for the botox, the hair over the top thing and face lifts. Give me a quiet simple achiever like Hoffman any day.
Gingrich, for his part,
October 27, 2009 - 09:32 ET by MidAmericaGingrich, for his part, insisted in an e-mail to the Fix that the special election was not -- and should not be interpreted as -- a conservative litmus test, and explained that his endorsement of Scozzafava was entirely about respecting local party leaders.
.....hhhmmm how about respecting conservative values?
That is the problem with politicians who have been on the inside too long. They no longer feel the need to represent the voters who send them to Washington but instead they think they owe their allegiance to the system.
Insiders
October 27, 2009 - 10:03 ET by iveseenitallRight on, Mid-America. I get sick every time I see these Washington clowns acting as though they are in a poker game. Nobody is in it but them. Listen to them---they hardly ever address a problem or its solution directly. All they talk about is getting one up on each other. Washington is their little sandbox, loaded with our money as their toys with which to play. Like parents with spoiled kids, real Americans are nothing but economic slaves to these children. Hoffman says he just got "fed up" with them and decided to run for Congress. I hope he wins.
TERM LIMITS!
(P.S. I'm down here in the Orlando area--Alan Grayson territory. Man, this guy is a real sicko!)
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
At great risk of polluting up the thread.
October 27, 2009 - 09:37 ET by JWFMatt Latimer wrote on Powerline and made some good points.
Ace of Spades (the top listed blog over on the side) piped in too.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Great link, JWF
October 27, 2009 - 09:57 ET by BlondeAttention KC....I think we've identified another book for your reading list.
I hope he fails, too.
Good Post
October 27, 2009 - 14:49 ET by stratmanLOL!
What did Rice leak?
maybe, just maybe
October 27, 2009 - 09:46 ET by Candance MooreIf Hoffman ends up winning, one or two people here might rethink the GOP brainwashing that third parties are a wasted vote.
Hear, hear. The death of
October 27, 2009 - 11:16 ET by TenebrousHear, hear. The death of that idea is long overdue.
-----
Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
What if. What if. What if.
October 27, 2009 - 11:54 ET by JWFWhat if Sarah "Going Rogue" Palin were to start a new party called wait for it.... wait.... wait.... the Conservative Party.
Sign me up Candance. Oh sorry about pushing you out of the way in my eagerness. Allow me, ladies first.
Seriously, I hope that is what she is aiming for.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
I dont know,
October 27, 2009 - 12:43 ET by general companyI am torn, I would like to see Conservatives take back the GOP like Reagan did. Doesnt really matter what you call it, if you dont culture it, they will still come and contaminate it.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Re third party
October 27, 2009 - 12:47 ET by slickwillie2001I'm all for third party candidates as long as it's the hard way, from the ground up in House and Senate races. Another way to do it is to challenge RINOs in primaries. A third party conservative in a Presidential race will only deliver another win to the Bamster and destroy our country for good.
The Scozzafava disaster is an outlier; it happened because of the special election rules which did not require a primary. That loophole in the democratic process should be fixed.
I'm surprised more folks
October 27, 2009 - 12:50 ET by ckc1227I'm surprised more folks aren't for third parties, especially with their long, well-known history of success at winning election after election.
/sarc
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then. Like it or not though, for all intents and purposes, third parties ARE a wasted vote....especially on a national scale.
so we'll mark you down
October 27, 2009 - 14:45 ET by Candance Mooreas voting "no" for Hoffman.
Have fun complaining about the establishment at your next TEA party.
Newt
October 27, 2009 - 10:39 ET by doug1950Why am I not surprised that Newt backed the liberal GOP candidate. Newt has been trying to break back into politics almost since he left it. I continue to get phone calls, email and direct mailing soliciations from one of his so-called "grass roots" organizations. Newt dropped his candy in the sand with me years ago and I would not trust him as far as I could throw his rather sizeable fat azz. Newt is an opportunists, the likes of Colin Powell and others who will rub shoulders with every scumbag on the planet so they can share in the spotlight even if just for a minute. Now he is backpeddling and trying to make himself look as if he is supporting the local GOP leaders. As others have already stated, "how about supporting the conservative" instead of going for the moderate, middle of the road track. That tactic has not proven to be very successful and the GOP make up is proof of this. The RNC and GOP is full of liberal, country club Repubs who throw us under the bus at every chance. Newt, like the Clintons is like jock itch. When the hell are they going to go away? No one cares what they have to say anymore. Their bus has left the station and they are the only ones who don't know it or won't admit it.
Newt Gingrich
October 27, 2009 - 11:39 ET by merlin61When are the GOP going to get our message that we want conservatism, not socialism? We will vote them out of office if they continue their Dem values. I only hope they read this site to get the true feelings of Mid-Americans. We are conservative, not moderate nor left-leaning. Get the message PLEASE!!!!
Well said, Doug
October 27, 2009 - 11:54 ET by BlondeAnd I loved some of your more colorful metaphors!
I hope he fails, too.
Run, Douglas, run! (And
October 27, 2009 - 12:15 ET by HockeyKidRun, Douglas, run!
(And might I add that Dede Scozzafava has a perfect face for radio campaigning.)
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
CAUTION
October 27, 2009 - 12:34 ET by CaringwhiteguyI hope Hoffmann wins and wins big, but the time to gloat is AFTER THE ELECTION, not now.
There's nothing for certain except ballots cast and counted. The sponsors of the new polling are conservative organizations. All of us here have poo-pooed polls funded by liberal groups.
Poor Newt.
October 27, 2009 - 13:32 ET by AvitarNewt has never learned the lesson that <b>you do not do business with the enemy.</b> He has great ideas and a grip on the onrush of history, very unusual in Washington, but as a solidure he always mistakes quicksand for a fox hole. When he became Speaker he shook hands with Bill Clinton and let the RINOs assume GOP positions of power. One of those RINOs, Nancy Johnson as ethics committee Chairperson entertained 86 false charges against Speaker Gingrich and completely destroyed his carreer. He could serve in a cabinet but never be President.
She's not a RINO, she's a WISC
October 27, 2009 - 13:58 ET by lgeubankA Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. A mole. A spy. A spoiler. Somebody who wants to make sure the people's choice is between liberal and liberaler. A t**d in the punchbowl. And a sloppy-looking slug to boot. So let's boot her (Ha!).
Don't do us no scuzzy favors!
October 27, 2009 - 14:01 ET by lgeubankGo away, little WISC. (Wolf In Sheep's Clothing).
Dede should Secede
October 27, 2009 - 14:20 ET by CobraManDede (and the GOP "leaders") should Secede and support the Conservative Party candidate.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Is this election is beyond, nose pinching, if the demo, wins
October 27, 2009 - 14:38 ET by upcountrywaterThen Newt is correct.
Man oh man the polls look GREAT...
However, the Republicans and the Independents need 70% to win.
The classic splitting the vote shall take place here.
We know there will be a 30-40% democrat vote.
(wierd math the poll...Why do the 3 totals = 79%)?
It's past time to jump the RINO republican ship and vote for a conservative, a true political science experiment.
Win Hoffman, win!
Re 79%
October 27, 2009 - 15:39 ET by slickwillie2001That's one of the problems with every NY-23 poll that I have seen, there's still a 20%+ of 'undecideds'. No doubt it is a confusing race, how often have Kos and Newt endorsed the same candidate?
There is always
October 27, 2009 - 21:32 ET by doug1950that 10 - 20% of "undecided" in every poll, elections, contest, etc. You name it. I seem to always manage to get in line behind these same mamby pamby "Oh, I can't decide" A-holes in the fast food eateries or check out counters. Many times the choice is so ridiculously easy like "do you want to be cut in half with a chainsaw or get a free lifetime membership to the Country Club of your choice" and they still can't make up their frapping minds. They usually end up going with the one leading just so they can say their candidate won, and then go around bragging about it and how "moderates" like them saved the day once again.