Posted on 11/01/2009 8:06:58 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson had the guts to do what Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and the entire Republican Party would not do. One month ago, Thompson became the first prominent national Republican to endorse Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the New York District 23 Congressional race. Palin made an even bigger impact by endorsing Hoffman a week and a half ago. In doing so, Palin lived up to her penchant for going against the mainstream and taking on powerbrokers inside her own party.
For those who have not heard about this race, local and national Republican leaders decided to back Dede Scozzafava for the vacant congressional seat. She truly lives up to the term RINO (Republican in Name Only), especially on social issues. Scozzafava is pro-choice, supports gay marriage and the Obama stimulus plan. She believes abortions should always be legal, no matter the circumstances. So the voters in NY District 23 were given the option of liberal Democrat Doug Owens or liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava. Conservatives had no choice, until Doug Hoffman entered the race.
Hoffman's candidacy began picking up steam in recent weeks, and then exploded thanks to the endorsement of Sarah Palin. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty followed suit. Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney refused to endorse anyone.
In doing so, Huckabee showed he is not a leader. He is a panderer. He panders to the Republican Party establishment because he wants their support in 2012. Huckabee even headlined a Conservative Party fundraiser in upstate New York last week, but his failure to endorse Hoffman left conservatives dumbfounded. "When youre a leader of the conservative movement, as Mike Huckabee is, you should make a bold statement, said Mike Long, president of the New York State Conservative Party. If youre a leader, how do you not get involved? Huckabee's lack of leadership on this issue is especially appalling given Scozzafava's support of abortion anytime, anywhere, no matter the circumstances. Huckabee is supposedly the Republican beacon of pro-life issues. Not anymore. Not after this act of cowardice.
Mitt Romney was no better. He tried to spin his lack of endorsement for Scozzafava as some sort of strong stance, telling Fox News, "That should speak a certain amount of volume. I can't endorse our candidate in that race." You are right, Mitt. It does speak volumes. But not in a positive way for you.
A funny thing happened on Saturday, though. Polls showed Scozzafava quickly dropping to third place in the polls, well behind Hoffman and Owens. So, she dropped out of the race. Following her withdrawal, Newt Gingrich, the NRCC, Michael Steele and others rushed out their endorsements of Hoffman. Huckabee finally followed suit in mid-afternoon.
Hoffman, a true conservative, now has a terrific chance to win this race. No thanks to the leaders of the Republican Party. No thanks to Romney and Huckabee, two 2008 Presidential candidates who are almost certain to run again in 2012. They want us to uphold them as leaders of the conservative movement. They are not. Leaders take bold steps by standing on their principles. That is what Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson did.
Yes, we see who are the leaders here and they are NOT who we use to believe...thank goodness. Not sure who is the leader these days but Palin is putting on a vary good show and sure has the backing of millions. Another may emerge but for now, well...Palin is the star...
Fred ping!
Romney = Slick packaging that can NOT be trusted (how does ANY "republican" get elected governor of one of THE MOST LIBERAL states in the union?!!!)
JUST SAY "NO!" TO ANY AND ALL RINOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I often wonder if Huckabee isn’t using that show of his, and not a terribly good one if you ask me, on FOX as a means of gaining exposure and favororitism for the 2021 cycle?
Palin/Thompson? Which Thompson? I would amost favor Jeri over Fred. Fred did not seem to have the fire in the belly last go around.
your title / comment...pretty much said it all.
No other comment seems necessary.
Fred and Jeri Thompson deserve the most credit, they were first on the scene. Then Rush, Mark, and Glenn got on board about 2 weeks back.
Sarah came quickly after that. Newt, Huckster, and Mitt showed us alot in this episode. They have been talking about her Scazzafava and now she endorses Pelosi’s candidate who will vote for Nationalized Health Care. This election could be the deciding vote.
They have also not mentioned David Harmer who is running in California 10 at all.
Palin and Pawlenty mentioned as early endorsers of Hoffman, but Fred Thompson only made last sentence of article.
Thompson made the first sentence of the article...
I was a fred fan before, but thompson gave up way too early, last time. I wouldn’t recommend him again.
The timing on this could NOT be better. Now that the Pelosi Bill is on the table, conservatives will make a statement in NY23, as well as VA and NJ. After Tuesday night, the Blue Dog Dems will be firmly in the “No” column on Obamacare.
I doubt if Fred will run for elective office again. But I don’t think he would turn down an offer from Sarah to be her White House Chief of Staff.
- JP
My bad. He made the second sentence, too. Pawlenty mentioned later.
I agree which makes Sarah's early endorsement so much more the important as I would bet the store that she'll be in the race next time.
FRed...had said, (something like)
...I thought, I could do It "On the Cheap"
....to save $$$$
..not as an excuse, an explanation.
Damn, you must be awful proud of your local girl. Y'all sure grow 'em good up there.
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