All Eyes On Empire Upstate
Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman is on the verge of a historic upset in Upstate New York …
In a race that has attracted national attention and a stream of famous surrogates (Rudy Giuliani and Vice President Joe Biden being the latest), Hoffman is clinging to a narrow lead over Democrat Bill Owens in the battle for the Empire State’s 23rd Congressional District.
The candidates are running to replace Republican John M. McHugh, who resigned the seat in September to become President Barack Obama’s Army Secretary.
A new poll conducted by Siena College shows Hoffman leading 41% to 36% – with 18% of likely voters undecided.
Just a month ago, Hoffman was running well behind both Owens and “Republican” nominee Dede Scozzafava.
Thanks to the support of GOP heavyweights like Fred and Jeri Thompson and Sarah Palin, however, Hoffman’s campaign took off and eventually overpowered Scozzafava.
She dropped out of the race over the weekend, endorsing the Democrat over Hoffman.
“Hoffman continues to demonstrate momentum, picking up six points since Scozzafava pulled out,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said Monday. “It appears, however, that the majority of Scozzafava’s supporters have gone to neither Hoffman nor Owens, but rather into the undecided column, which has doubled since Scozzafava ended her candidacy.”
Needless to say we’ll be watching this race, as well as the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial contests, with great interest …
Comments
By Red on November 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Very telling. If you want proof the Democrats and the Republicans are the same thing just look at this article. The Republican drops out and endorses the Democrat.
The Republican can not bring herself to endorse the Conservative outsider.
And thankfully the voters are not having to hold their noses to vote for the Republicrats or the Demopublicans.
We need more conservative outsiders running in every election and throw out the bankrupting two-faced con artists now in power.
By Mohanna on November 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Now it begins! The Conservative (Rightwing Nuts) will feel empowered. They will go after every moderate Republican in all upcoming elections. The Republican party will become a small pool of angry white men.
Say Goodbye to President Reagan’s Big Tent. A time when the Republican Party got along(and didn’t destroy each other). Whether Hoffman wins or not “The Republican Party Loses”. Watch out Mr. Sic Willie. Those far right religious wingnuts will make you hide your joy (and all the fun stuff you enjoy). Don’t go over to the darkside. LMAO
By JR on November 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I’m no Republican but to be fair, there aren’t very many places where this Dede would be known as much of a Republican, Red. It’s hardly fair to use her as a characterization of why Democrats and Republicans are exactly the same.
By sid on November 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
It’s great to see all the lefties trying to shift the attention away from the rejection of Barry by focusing on this one, unique race. It comforts them, I guess, to try to make this about the Republican party, when it’s really not. Guess what, kids? Barry is about to have his hat handed to him in Virginia, and he may lose one of the most solid Dem stronghold states in the entire country. But if lefties want to whistle past the graveyard with nonsensical analysis of NY-23, that suits me fine. Not only is the country abandoning the short affair with Barry’s leftist agenda, it will soon abandon him, as well. Historically, he will be known as The One-and-Done-One.
By OhNoNotAgain on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 am
Heh heh. He called Sarah Palin a heavy weight.
By rick beltram on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 am
Folks:
Please do not compare NY politics to what you know and see in SC.
It’s apples and oranges.
RSB
By No Way! on November 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 am
Let’s set the record straight! Reagan’s “Big Tent” was not a tent full of RINO’s or “Moderates”. Reagan converted these to true conservatives. THe republican party needs conservatives. Let the moderates set up their own party.
By Toyota Kawaski on November 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Made phone calls last night into the Empire State. Go Huck Pack
By ohara on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
ByNoWay-
Reagan never would have been elected unless he had Dems & Independents voting for him-that’s what they mean by the big tent.
He didn’t alienate his supporters, regardless of his policies (for the most part). His numbers took a hit with Iran/Contra.
He was not as fiscally conservative as I would have liked & he gave away much of what he wanted when it came to tax policy. He didn’t accomplish everything he sat out to do either, but at least you felt he was promoting your interests.
I don’t see anyone in politics today that can inspire that kind of response from the electorate-maybe you only get one in a century. The atmosphere today is pure vitriol & caustic machination.
Reagan would have kept Scozzafava in but had her publicly announce policy shifts, rather than slit her throat with another candidate. The GOP looks bad on this one, in my opinion, but then I’m an Independent.
By Observer on November 4th, 2009 at 12:33 am
I don’t see how Hoffman is a “conservative outsider”. He preaches views of fiscal conservatism, but lines up perfectly with the Republican party’s “I hate gays” agenda.