Hoffman is a conservative who is running for congress as a member of NY's conservative party.
The Republican in this race is Dede Scozzafava who has a track record that any liberal Democrat would be proud of. Both Fred Thompson and Rush Limbaugh are asking a very good question, when you are a liberal like Scozzafava, why would you not be a Democrat?
At this point Hoffman is running second in the polls to the Democrat who is leading by single digits. Scozzafava has been moved into 3rd place by a surge in the polls for Hoffman who is now getting national attention. Hoffman needs to get his message out to Republicans. If he can swing enough votes from Scozzafava he can beat the Democrat.
Scozzafava is now showing signs of desperation. For example, Hoffman's campaign challenged Scozzafava to a series of debates earlier in the election, and she turned down the offer. Now that she is lagging in the polls, she is asking for a last minute debate.
It is clear to me that Hoffman can win. If you are a conservative like me, then I challenge you to do what I did, make a donation to Hoffman's campaign:
Ah, the WSJ article was great - but I especially loved the barb at the end:
"Above all, a defeat would teach Republicans that running candidates who believe in nothing will keep them in the minority for years to come."
Well said.
Same situation in New Jersey. The papers there have actually endorsed the independent candidate for governor because both of the parties are considered to be empty fund raising machines. (Corzine, the current dem governor, is of course a former GS man, just thought I would throw that in )
You may recall my many discussions with Al wherein I stated that as we go forward the role of the independent will control many, many elections, if only to move a few percent in one direction or the other. And, as we know elections get decided by a few per cent. This is not the same as saying that the independents will win (although that is possible in NJ) and Al was and never will be able to understand that point. The Libertarian Party and others will also have that effect as we go forward if and when they get their act together while criticizing the other parties. Probably the dems will continue to fracture and will spin off a Democratic Socialist or Socialist Progressive Party as well to accomodate the far left that pretty much hates Obama these days. Congress of the future will be comprised of coalitions between smaller parties, European style, to match our European style Socialism.
Anyway, the aforementioned time when the independent parties will upset many elections is upon us. More to come in 2010.
------------------------------------ Spending Our Way to Prosperity
Al was and never will be able to understand that point.
Al has an MA in political science from William and Mary (1974) and has been a political operative in more campaigns in more varied districts than Winter ever has.
Al understands the point well. Al says it won't happen.
Elections have always been decided by a few points. Indeed, 5 points is considered a "landslide" by most political operatives. In most Congressional districts or statewide campaigns we rarely see a blow-out.
The rise of the so-called "independent voter as "the decider" has been noted for years. However, polls and survey's have shown that far more independents are moderate or liberal than the Goldwater-like conservatives that most of you neo-cons are.
Finally, Winter may be right, and Al wrong... but there is no truth in his saying that Al does not understand the point. Al actually understands everything Winter posts... because contrary to the prevailing attitude of you neo-cons, Al is well-educated, well-read, and more intelligent than any of you.
Al has an MA in political science from William and Mary (1974) and has been a political operative in more campaigns in more varied districts than Winter ever has.
Al understands the point well. Al says it won't happen.
Elections have always been decided by a few points. Indeed, 5 points is considered a "landslide" by most political operatives. In most Congressional districts or statewide campaigns we rarely see a blow-out.
The rise of the so-called "independent voter as "the decider" has been noted for years. However, polls and survey's have shown that far more independents are moderate or liberal than the Goldwater-like conservatives that most of you neo-cons are.
Finally, Winter may be right, and Al wrong... but there is no truth in his saying that Al does not understand the point. Al actually understands everything Winter posts... because contrary to the prevailing attitude of you neo-cons, Al is well-educated, well-read, and more intelligent than any of you.
One of the posts in the comments that followed the editorial said this:
The reason that Doug Hoffman did not challenge either of his opponents to a primary is that for special elections to fill a Congressional Seat like this there are no primaries. The Republican Party "Leaders" picked a Liberal, and many of the voters in that district don't want another Liberal. That is why Hoffman is running as a Conservative and has lots of support - because the party leaders do not represent the values of the voters registered in that party.
So read again what Doug wrote:
I’m a lifelong Republican running as the nominee of the New York State Conservative Party. I didn’t leave the Republican Party, the party left me. The GOP bosses in New York and Washington felt the candidate needed to be as liberal as possible. They picked a professional politician, with a voting record more liberal than 46 Democrats in the New York state legislature. They threw principles out the window. Their candidate has voted for increased spending, higher taxes, gay marriage and abortion. She supports “Card Check” (EFCA) and is supported by trial lawyers, gay activists and Big Labor. In 2008 she ran on the line of the radical left Working Families Party, ACORN’s political party in New York.
So in the absence of a primary, Republican hacks and insiders demonstrated that they are NOT conservative. This places them at odds with Republican rank and file, the majority of who are conservative. I think this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the Republican Party that liberal Republican candidates are not worth electing. If we are going to get stuck with a liberal, it might as well be a Democrat.
And on another note, does anybody remember that guy named Arlen Specter?
I have in the past been a member of the NRCC and have contributed. I called them today and left a message identifying who I am so that they can verify their records, that I have in the past sent them money.
I then told them politely and firmly: NEVER AGAIN.
My money goes directly to candidates I like, NOT to the party because it is obvious the party is being run by insiders and hacks who are NOT conservatives.
I certainly agree with you on this. It was really pathetic to have to hold you nose to vote for Obama's opponent last time around.
The Repubs are shooting themselves in the foot over and over with the idea that they need to be more inclusive. They need to make up their minds what they are and be recognized by the voters out there as honest and on firm philosophical ground. Just supporting whoever they think has the best shot is the worst thing they can do.
The Libertarian party needs to take notice of this. A Libertarian candidate for President will never finish with more than 4 or 5% of the votes until we start electing them to the House. They have to start small and work upwards.
The Libertarian party needs to take notice of this. A Libertarian candidate for President will never finish with more than 4 or 5% of the votes until we start electing them to the House. They have to start small and work upwards.
I agree completely with this. You don't get anywhere by applying for the top job first.
I think a small contingency of libertarian members of congress would give the party something to build on, particularly if they become effective voices in communicating the idea that less government is better government.
As I said, I am supporting Rand Paul for Senate here in Kentucky. And I think Rand is doing it the right way, he is seeking the nomination as a Republican and contesting his challengers in the primary. If his opponent wins, I will support him because he is clearly not a liberal. My concern is that we need Senators who are going to go to Washington and say no, enough is enough. That's why Rand Paul is the better choice - and if you agree with me - contribute to his campaign:
Ultimately the best way for conservatives to advance their position is to "Take over the GOP". We need to get active in the party and primaries, and work to get conservatives nominated.
On the other hand, in New York 23 there was no primary. Dede Scozzafava was appointed as the Republican candidate by Republican insider/hacks, and the conservatives in the party were ignored. The assumption was that the conservatives would hold their noses and vote for her, rather than see a Democrat take the seat. Well that political trick has pretty much run it's course and conservatives are fed up with that kind of political maneuver.
This is a wonderful opportunity for conservatives in New York 23 to send a clear message to the Republican Party. You ignore your conservative base, the majority constituency of the Republican Party, at your own peril.
When Ronald Reagan was first seeking the office of the Presidency he was clearly not the choice of establishment Republicans. Here's an example of when they tried to muzzle him:
If there are congressional races where the Republican party puts forward candidates that are not conservative, I think conservative Republicans need to think carefully about supporting Libertarian or conservative candidates who are qualified. But I would much prefer those candidates run for the nomination of the Republican Party in the primaries.
Last edited by Robert Barney : 10-30-2009 at 03:23 AM.
I was listening to Mike Church this morning (what a great talk show - conservatives should get Sirius radio for Mike Church, Andrew Wilkow, and the Great One Mark Levin) and he had clips of Ron Paul on Larry King. You could feel Larry King nodding and agreeing with Ron Paul on most points.
I'm half tempted to watch Michael Moore's new movie Capitalism based on Ron Paul's talking points. I guess the movie should be called Corpratism according to Ron Paul.
Anyway, we need more genuine thinkers like Rona Paul. I miss Harry Browne.
Newt Gingrich sure goofed up on this one. When Newt makes mistakes he makes big ones. Can you imagine if he runs for President in 2012. Heah Newt, remember Scozzafava or I knew Ronald Reagan and you're no Ronald Reagan.
Doug Hoffman for Congress
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