The NY-23 special election between Dede Scozzafava (R) vs. Doug Hoffman (Conservative Party) vs. Bill Owens (D) is one week away and the drama has been nonstop.
Hoffman has the support of many well-known conservatives, from talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin, to former Republican office holders Sarah Palin (R-AK), Fred Thompson (R-TN), Dick Armey (R-TX), and Rick Santorum (R-PA), to current governors and Congress members Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
And I’m sure more endorsements will come in the next few days.
The NRCC, and Newt Gingrich (R-GA) for that matter, are in face-saving overdrive. The NRCC released a statement targeting not Bill Owens — Scozzafava’s Democrat opponent — but Hoffman and his supporters. Gingrich, on the other hand, continues his media tour to defend his Scozzafava endorsement. His spokesman, Rick Tyler, also explains his boss’ position:
My endorsement of Dede Scozzafava in the special election for New York’s 23rd Congressional District is a means of regaining a conservative majority in America.
Although some of her values do not match my own, Scozzafava will help us in our efforts to win back Congress. She has signed the no-tax-increase pledge from the Americans from Tax Reform, she has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, she opposes cap-and-trade and energy tax increases, she is against Obama Care, and she has said she will vote against Nancy Pelosi and in favor of John Boehner as Speaker of the House.
Not so fast, Newt! I believe your endorsment of Dede Scozzafava is a means of regaining a Republican majority in Congress. There is a difference. Conservatives are already a majority in America. They are just not well represented by any major political party in Congress. That’s why Doug Hoffman is so attractive to conservatives, many of whom are disappointed and disillusioned by the GOP.
What does is say about the Republican establishment when its position is now the same as the DCCC? Conservatives have long complained that there’s not much difference between the Democrats and Republicans anymore, and from both sides of the aisle this NY-23 election is serving as a testament.
The campaign season of NY-23 will send shock waves throughout not only the Republican establishment, but also the Democrat’s and the liberal’s psyche. They now know that conservatives follow no party and will even unite against the Washington establishment.
