Fallout From Republican Debacle Over Dede Scozzafava
Warming ourselves from the heat created by the anger between the Republicans and the conservatives is not a bad thing, is it? One thing we do know is there is plenty of heat, and lots to reflect over from the sidelines. For all the football fever in Wisconsin this weekend, the real action to follow is in New York and the special election in the 23rd Congressional District. It is there the teabaggers have trashed the GOP candidate and forced her to be sidelined.
Now read that last sentence, close your eyes, and think about it. This is not an Allen Drury novel…….this actually happened. It is from that point we move forward. This is what the internet is consumed with today, as well as lunch table discussion at our home. The conservatives want to be a party of political purity…..and we know that means a smaller party. This is a win-win! Ronald Reagan practiced the big-tent approach to politics and his victories underscores that requirement on the national stage. There is no way that the teabaggers style of politics can win in state-wide general elections. What will the GOP do to counter the teabaggers? How will they placate them to shut-up?
As Erick Erickson, editor of the RedState blog, wrote today, the fallout among Republicans — inside the Beltway and outside – holds great portent for the 2010 midterm elections, and requires a purging of G.O.P. officials. “Someone, more than one person, must be fired for the Republican botching of NY-23. Heads must roll lest this happen again,” Mr. Erickson warned. “And John Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee better be paying attention, see e.g. Charlie Crist v. Marco Rubio in Florida.”
Indeed, Mr. Rubio is fighting Governor Crist for Florida’s right-leaning angst over such things as Mr. Crist’s endorsement of the president’s $787 billion stimulus package, in the 2010 race for the Senate seat abandonded by Mel Martinez. a Republican.
Ms. Scozzafava was battered, slammed by national politicians with far bigger ambitions than hers of becoming one member of Congress. Former Senator Dick Armey, who has been the leader in fomenting tea party upset, former Gov. Sarah Palin, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has 2012 ambitions, all lined up against her. One after another seemed to jump in to this otherwise obscure election, viewing it as a harbinger for what the Republican party’s ideals may be going forward.
Just this past week, Representative Pete Sessions, the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said he would embrace Mr. Hoffman, were he elected. That means money, in an election.
None of this bade well for Ms. Scozzafava, who saw her polls numbers fall — and in fact a Siena Poll just released seemed to lead to her decision.
A few days ago, Michael Steele, the chairman of the national Republican party, said he stood by Ms. Scozzafava as the G.O.P. candidate. But today, he released this statement:
The Republican National Committee respects Dede’s decision to suspend her campaign. This selfless act of releasing her supporters provides voters with the opportunity to unite around a candidate who shares Republican principles and will serve the interests of his constituents in Congress by standing in opposition to the liberal policies of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi.
Effective immediately, the R.N.C. will endorse and support the conservative candidate in the race, Doug Hoffman. Doug’s campaign will receive the financial backing of the RNC, and get-out-the-vote efforts to defeat Bill Owens on Tuesday.
I appreciate the hard work Dede put into her campaign, and for understanding the political reality of this race. By releasing her supporters she has gracefully placed the Party before her own self interest, and for this she deserves enormous credit and respect.
What a wild leap four days before the election. Of course, Ms. Scozzafava’s name will still be on the ballot, and she frankly didn’t endorse anyone else today. The question remains: Does this upset throw even more weight to Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate?
I like a smaller and smaller conservative dominated party too……
Dede’s Ex-Campaign Manager, Matt Burns is endorsing Doug Hoffman.
HMMM…..
Now maybe you see why the fact that dear Dede has endorsed the democrat is no surprise at all. She is ideologically aligned with the democrats so it is only natural she would endorse one. Now, does everyone see why we did not want dear Dede?
The sooner the Republican party rids itself of these type of trojan horses, the better.
Who knows – maybe she’ll switch to the Democrat party, like Spector did, which is the only honest thing she could do, and frankly, it’ll be glad tidings and happy trails when and if she does.
Good riddance Dede. Go work for Planned Parenthood. I’m sure they still love you.
Lets not forget something here about the message from the conservatives. While they blasted Scozzafava over state-sanctioned relationships between gay couples they missed the fact the founders of the modern conservative movement were strongly libertarian in their belief that what people did in their private lives was, for the most part, none of the government’s, or their neighbors’, business. And most of the GOP is in that camp, as are the middle-of-the road voters too. So when the conservatives make a pure-party plea as they are making, and as you posted, it results in a smaller party that will be able to make less inroads in general elections. I am a moderate, and voted for McCain, but could never vote for the likes of Hoffman. Therein lies the grave that the conservatives such as those in New York are digging.