Conservative Rebellion Explodes in New York over Extreme Liberal GOP Candidate

http://www.lifesitenews.com ^ | Friday October 23, 2009 | By Peter J. Smith

[Maelstorm]

SYRACUSE, New York, October 23, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A conservative uprising against the GOP's selection of a staunchly pro-abortion, pro-gay "marriage" nominee has transformed the battle for New York's 23rd congressional district into a tight three-way race that has the strong possibility of a dark horse Conservative Party candidate pulling an upset victory - or sending a strong message to the GOP that they alienate social and fiscal conservatives at their peril.

New York's 23rd Congressional District covers much of the northern areas of upstate New York just north of Syracuse, bordering Canada, and encompassing most of the Adirondacks. While conservative values figure greatly into the political landscape of upstate New York, GOP party bosses instead chose to nominate NY Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava - a far-left Republican who has strong pro-abortion, pro-gay "marriage", pro-tax, and pro-card check positions - to replace Rep. John McHugh, who handily won nine consecutive terms in a district that was safely Republican.

McHugh left the House of Representatives on September 21, 2009 to become Secretary of the Army, and Gov. David Paterson declared that Nov. 3 would be the date of a special election to replace him until the 2010 general election.

Local conservatives, however, outraged that GOP bosses selected a candidate so out-of-touch with their constituency, instead have fought back, running businessman Doug Hoffman on the Conservative Party ticket. The race has become extremely close in an area that would otherwise be a slam-dunk win for the GOP, as pro-life, pro-family conservatives and economic conservatives have made common cause to deliver the 23rd district into the hands of a candidate that will represent their values in Congress.

According to an October 15 Siena poll of the NY-23 special election, Democrat Bill Owens currently leads the race with 33 percent, followed by the GOP liberal Scozzafava at 29 percent, and Conservative Doug Hoffman with 23 percent, who leads among independent voters.

Those numbers are drastically different than two weeks ago, when Scozzafava stood ahead with 35 percent, Owens placed second with 28 percent, and Hoffman at 16 percent.

Siena pollster Steven Greenberg stated that the race would likely come down to the wire on Election Day, saying that the one sixth of undecided voters "will likely determine the outcome of this race."

With Hoffman's insurgent candidacy accelerating, conservatives - social and fiscal - see an opportunity not only to teach the GOP a lesson, but also a realistic shot to snatch victory. For Hoffman, the endorsements have been coming in at rapid fire, beginning with the pro-family Concerned Women for America and then the Club for Growth.

Now former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has entered the fray, giving her full endorsement to Hoffman and pledging her personal support and the financial support of her political action committee, SarahPAC,

"Republicans and conservatives around the country are sending an important message to the Republican establishment in their outstanding grassroots support for Doug Hoffman: no more politics as usual," stated Palin on her Facebook page.

Palin's endorsement followed after Dick Armey, chairman of FreedomWorks and former House Majority Leader from the conservative-driven 1994 Republican Revolution, gave Hoffman a huge boost. He appeared in New York to give a vigorous endorsement, mobilize "Tea Party" conservatives behind Hoffman and enhance Hoffman's name recognition - all critical for victory in the election contest.

So far, Hoffman has captured at least 19 total endorsements - including the New York State Right to Life Party, Susan B. Anthony List, National Organization for Marriage, Fred Thompson, and Steve Forbes to name a few. And Hoffman's campaign has reported more than $210,000 in on-line contributions since October 15, when the Siena poll was released - money that translates into ammunition for advertizing and greater name recognition.

Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann broke ranks with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Minority Leader John Boehner and leading national GOP leaders on Wednesday, by declaring on the Laura Ingraham program that Hoffman was "on the ascendancy," and that the GOP should give their support to him and not to the ill-chosen Scozzafava.

The election could prove to be a referendum on the direction of the GOP, and many commentators are ruefully saying that if the GOP fails to learn important lessons from botching a sure-fire victory in 2009, they are likely to lose a golden opportunity in 2010.

The Wall Street Journal excoriated GOP leaders for supporting Scozzafava in a October 21 editorial, saying that "A defeat would teach Republicans that running candidates who believe in nothing will keep them in the minority for years to come."

The Journal's editors pointed out that Scozzafava stands to the left of President Barack Obama on the question of same-sex "marriage" and her position on taxes makes her Democratic opponent Bill Owens look conservative. Scozzafava has also run on the ticket of the socialist Working Families Party and there is no guarantee that she would not switch parties and caucus with the Democrats if she lost a GOP primary fight in 2010.

Pro-life and pro-family advocates are devoting considerable time and effort to canvass voters and make the difference for Hoffman in the election fight. Emily Buchanan, executive director of the Susan B. Anthony List is coordinating an independent project for the National Organization for Marriage & the Susan B. Anthony List to elect Hoffman by enlisting pro-life/pro-family advocates to man the polls on November 3.

In all, conservatives of all stripes - fiscal, pro-life, pro-family, pro-marriage - believe that the battle for the 23rd District is a pivotal moment for them, one with national implications that exceed the boundaries of a rural district in upstate New York.
 
Learn more about Doug Hoffman candidacy here.

[Maelstorm]

[Marysecretary]

This is the district we live in and we are giving our full support behind Hoffman. Sick of rinos.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Please stop by the FReepathon thread and give it a bump. If you haven’t donated yet, please give it some thought.

Thank you!

[Radix]

Hoping that she correctly read the tea leaves.

[vladimir998]

When with the Republicans EVER LEARN!

Stop nominating RINOS!!!

[Jeff Head]

We must support and elect constitutional candidates whom we know beforehand will take their oath to the constitution seriously and fufill that oath, and who are committed wholly to stand on and support constitutional principle.

When WE, the citizens and voters of this nation insist on that course of action ourselves, in large numbers, we will inact change.

That is what is happening here with Sarah and others as they openly support Hoffman...and it is what MUST happen with each of us. By doing so we will pull the GOP back to the constitution and to its own platform.

When we do, the right candidates and the right parties will rise to the top like cream rises to the top of fresh milk because we will have insisted and forced it to be so.

The FR sanctioned:

RESTORE THE CONSTITUTION EFFORT

which is an FR Alliance web site, is about precisely that. Please join us, and a lot of other FREEPERS there, as we work together and identify and support candidates dedicated to doing precisely that at all levels.

[Maelstorm]

I don’t understand why they would nominate a liberal for a relatively conservative district. It is stupid and it hurts the Republican brand when it is recovering quickly. The vast majority of Republicans are clear conservatives fiscally and socially. Every poll shows this. Why does a small number in leadership continue to think they can win through surrender?

[VeniVidiVici]

GOP party bosses instead chose to nominate NY Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava

So who exactly did this nomination and why?

[Marysecretary]

I have absolutely NO idea. It’s crazy for sure. The GOP doesn’t have a clue anymore.

[Maelstorm]

I think she did. The worst that can happen is a Liberal Democrat wins over a liberal Republican. Both are no different. I think Hoffman can win.

[Maelstorm]

I think some do not. Most of us do get it. We just need to get our own folks into leadership positions and stop letting soft Republicans run the show.

[max americana]

If the GOP cant even kick out the token black GOP leader due to pc liberal white guilt crap, what makes you think they have the stones to vote along the majority conservative GOP members?

[DirtyHarryY2K]

Let the RINO’s go the way of the Whigs..

[Marysecretary]

I agree, maelstorm. More good conservatives need to run for local public office as well.

[sickoflibs]

The conservative revolution finally!

[socialismislost]

“token black GOP”??? Are you trying to give ammunition to the other side? Nice openly racist comment. The last thing conservatives need are posts like yours.

[Seaplaner]

And then, there is the spillover effect.

(political cross-dresser) Lindsey Graham, YOU can expect the same electoral fate!

Ha!

.

[erman]

a real investigative journalist would provide the NAMES of the people that nominated the RINO to the slot.

FReepers need to provide that info for all of us. That way we can keep track of their contacts and associates in other states like Ohio, Carolina, Florida, Colorado and any other state that has conservative Republicans being represented by RINO's.

It's the democrat party infiltrating our ranks with candidates that TALK conservative but vote with the dems in the name of "reaching across the aisle".

We've had it with McCain and the rest of the pussies in the Republican party.

It's throwdown time. Let's just get it out in the open. You're going to stand for

Lower taxes and "fees"

No CLASS WARFARE

Pro-immigration reform that starts with verification of citizenship

and finally FREEDOM from the closet marxist who are environmentalist, union thugs, teachers unions and the rest of the regulate and fee bureaucracy.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

An intensely important election, without any question.

[UnChained]

“Why does a small number in leadership continue to think they can win through surrender?”

They don’t want to win. The GOP has been infiltrated by liberal moles. It’s past time for a new party with an unwavering conservative ideology.

[Terpfen]

From what I’ve read, the former NY GOP chair picked Scozzabarfa just before resigning. This is the same guy who picked Tedisco, if you’ll recall that particular losing race.

[Terpfen]

The GOP has been infiltrated by liberal moles. It’s past time for a new party with an unwavering conservative ideology.

If liberals can take control over a party, we can take control back. Enough with the cut and run stuff. Vote for conservative Republicans in the primaries, and donate directly to conservative campaigns rather than to the RNC, RSCC, and other centralized bodies.

[Rembrandt]

“So who exactly did this nomination and why?”

---

That’s THE question. Those people need to be id’d and sent over to the party they like, the Dim Party!

[o_zarkman44]

The way to stop bad nominations is to fill precinct committee chairpeople with true conservatives. In order for a candidate to get the nomination, all precinct committee chairs get a vote in a state convention.
In our state, there are a large percentage of these chairs open and unfilled. If people would participate in the grassroots, the bad candidates could be discarded.

[cranked]

I hope Hoffman wins.

[Psalm 144]

I think it is a passive aggressive way of saying “Screw you little people”.

[Anima Mundi]

If the RINOS ran as Democrats then the Democrat party would get pulled back towards the center instead of being way off the cliff where it is now. Let THEM choose between two types of Democrats for a change.

[GeronL]

She needs to get Bachmann and Armey and others to help build a UNITED, ORGANIZED conservative movement without leaders, just advocates.

The RINO bloodletting would be glorious.

[XHogPilot]

“I hope Hoffman wins”

“Hoping” is for Democrats. If you want him to have a strong chance at winning, contribute to his campaign.

http://www.doughoffmanforcongress.com/

[mojitojoe]

I donated, I hope everyone can send a little. I sure would love to see him win this.

[GeronL]

There are no tea leaves.

You either stand behind conservatism or you don’t. There are no tea leaves or guessing about it.

[SunkenCiv]

• Democrats Vote To Give ACORN Regulatory Authority Over Financial Institutions
• Stupak: If no Pro-Life Amendment, 'About 40 Likeminded Democrats' Will Vote to Kill Health Bill

[boxlunch]

The way to stop bad nominations is to fill precinct committee chairpeople with true conservatives. In order for a candidate to get the nomination, all precinct committee chairs get a vote in a state convention.
In our state, there are a large percentage of these chairs open and unfilled. If people would participate in the grassroots, the bad candidates could be discarded.

---

You need to post this on every election related thread. As much as Freepers are knowledgeable about issues, there are a ton of us (myself included) who don’t know anything about how the process actually works! This little tidbit of information is HUGELY important!

[GeronL]

Every FReeper needs to try and become a precint chair in their area. Mine is actually vacant. I have no qualifications or anything but heck, I might go for it. Unemployed and nothing better to do.

[GeronL]

And who are the precint chairs in your area? How many FReepers have not become involved in the local GOP? Try and become a precint chair. We can have some influence that way.

[GeronL]

What are the qualifications for precint chair? or whatever? What is actually involved in it?

I’m broke and living with my sister. My local GOP precint has no-one on it.

I’m thinking about it. But I will not promise to put the party first.

[AmericanInTokyo]

sent emegency funds to hoffman online through pay pal day before yesterday. ending more next week....from japan

[narses]

+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.

Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[seton89]

Become a Hoffman fan on Facebook-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doug-Hoffman/104731159040?ref=nf

Scozzafava 328 supporters

Hoffman 1,286 supporters

[bushwon]

I am writing RNC and telling them why I don’t donate to them!!!!!!!!! Go Hoffman!!!!!!!!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Saturday update: Trying to urgently get at least TEN additional American friends on US military bases (at $100 or so per person) and in the American-citizen biz community here in Tokyo, to go on line from Japan and send over $$$ to Mr. Doug Hoffman's NY congressional campaign online. There is still two weeks. I think we can pull it out, but it seems he needs to keep the cash flow and high level endorsements flowing in.

As Americans overseas, we will do our part in defeating a RINO and Democrat and give the seat to a CONSERVATIVE: DOUG HOFFMAN!! ALL HANDS ON DECK. THIS IS PIVOTAL!!!!!!!!!!

[WallStreetCapitalist]

"Democrat Bill Owens currently leads the race with 33 percent, followed by the GOP liberal Scozzafava at 29 percent, and Conservative Doug Hoffman with 23 percent, who leads among independent voters."

Blaming the party leadership doesn't capture the whole picture (although everyone agrees they are inept): Look at the split between self-proclaimed Republicans - 29% are polling for GOP liberal Scozzafava and 23% for the conservative GOP candidate. That means the party is nearly evenly split between these two philosophies. The Republican PARTY has an internal demographic crisis. The state of the leadership merely reflects that reality. In other words, when you have half of Republicans voting socially liberal and half socially conservative, the leadership issue is the fever; a symptom of the underlying problem.

The real question is - if this were a two man race with Democrat Owens at 33% and Conservative Republican Hoffman with 23%, to whom would the 29% go?

In other words: If the 29% of "Republicans" are voting for a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-ACORN candidate, wouldn't they be more likely to defect entirely to the Democratic candidate swinging the election to Owens 55% Hoffman 23%?

I guess what I'm asking is how do we win??? Or is this a reality of New York politics given the more liberal population base? I'd like to hear people's thoughts on that.

[Impy]

The county chairs of the counties in the district pick the nominees. The same people were not involved in picking the two nominees.

Tedisco was not a RINO, however he ran a poor race.

NY needs to start having primaries for special elections.

[AmericanInTokyo]

[riri]

If the RINOS ran as Democrats then the Democrat party would get pulled back towards the center instead of being way off the cliff where it is now. Let THEM choose between two types of Democrats for a change.

Great observation.

[uncitizen]

The GOP has effed us over for way too long. Good for you New Yorkers for just saying no to Scozzafava. Bravo! May Scozzafava be among the first of many RINOs to be rejected.

[bustinchops]

I guess the party bosses want to teach us upstarts a lesson, especially in the blue states.

[BAW]

Best case scenario: Conservative Hoffman wins. The US gets a congressional rep with real moral compass. NY 23rd gets a good representative who will probably run as a Repub in 2010. The GOP gets a kick butt awakening. Prominent conservatives who endorsed Hoffman gain the respect of the conservative movement.

If Scozzafava wins, Obama gets a sympathetic friend who will vote for his causes. We get screwed. NY 23rd gets screwed.

If Democrat Owens wins, Obama gloats. The up side is the GOP, smacked in the face with this loss to a Dem, now gets our strong message that we want more conservatives running for office and to not take our votes for granted. This is still a win for us as it sends a message to the rest of the GOP. Hello Michael Steele??

By my reckoning, nothing is lost by supporting Hoffman. It is a win win situation for conservative America.