Fred Thompson vs Newt Gingrich in New York
In case any of you have been following the budding civil war within the Republican Party brewing in New York for the 23rd Congressional District seat, I figured I might give you an update. The Jawa Report posted a great break down of the key positions and supporters for the two Republican candidates – DEDE SCOZZAFAVA and DOUG HOFFMAN. There are some pretty heavy hitters on both of these lists and I am baffled by how one group continues to support their candidate. They appear to be playing that “let’s choose the candidate with the best chance of attracting moderate voters” game that worked out so well for John McCain in the Presidential Election. That’s the only genuine conclusion I can draw at this point. I will let you decide which group/candidate I am referring to.
see the full breakdown here
Positions:
Against the Obama stimulus
Against Cash for Clunkers
Against card check / FOR secret ballot in union elections
Signed no tax pledge in August 2009
Signed no pork pledge
For school choice
Against same-sex marriage
Pro-life
Endorsements / Supporters:
Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN)
Club for Growth PAC
American Conservative Union
The Conservative Victory Fund
New York State Right to Life PAC
Susan B. Anthony List
Concerned Women PAC
Family Research Council Action PAC
Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers
Positions:
For the Obama stimulus
For card check / Against secret ballot in union elections
Does not support ‘no pork’ pledge
Signed no tax pledge October 15th
For Cash for Clunkers
Does not support school choice / vouchers
Does not support teacher testing / merit pay
Does not support concealed carry
For same-sex marriage
For expanded ‘hate crimes’ legislation
For inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws
Believes abortion should be legal in all cases
For making morning-after pills available to minors without a doctor’s prescription
Endorsements / Supporters:
National Rifle Association
New York State United Teachers
Newt Gingrich
Republican National Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
Daily Kos
(Endorsed by Working Families Party (ACORN affiliate) in prior races)
COME ON NEWT GET OUT OF THIS!! WE EXPECT THIS NONSENSE FROM STEELE AND THE NEW YORK GOP, BUT NOT YOU!!
Here’s a link to a great site with a similar message for Newt
Open Letter to Newt Gingrich: Stay out of New York Battle
Redstate Erick Erickson on an interview with Dick Armey who has now endorsed Hoffman
I asked Armey what he’d say to the Republicans who are backing the very liberal Dede Scozzafava. He said he would “say listen to Ronald Reagan. Reagan said good policy is good politics. My position is to support the candidate who supports policies good for America. That’s what Reagan did too.” He continued by saying it was “baloney” that Hoffman could not beat Scozzafava. “People are largely disaffected with Obama and we need to draw sharp distinctions,” he said.
In Scozzafava, the GOP is running a candidate “who doesn’t draw a distinction. She says ‘vote for me, I’m just like him.’”
Scozzafava endorsed by DailyKos? DailyKos makes is quite clear who they endorse here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/20/795064/-NY-23-Special:-Clash-of-the-(old,-bloated)-Titans!-(Dick-Armey-vs.-Gingrich)
And your blog clearly left out the candidate that is way ahead in the polls to Scozzafava (2nd place) and Hoffman (3rd place). I imagine the 1st place candidate will owe you a great deal of gratitude when the election is over. Once again, the Right-wing hand-delivers another victory to the Democrats because the Right-wing believes they’re a majority in a district where they barely even exist.
I appreciate your clarification of dailykos’ endorsement. As I said in the excerpt, it was compiled at another site. I was simply passing it along to anyone who was interested and helping to plug that site and increase attention on an important race.
As to the Right not understanding that they are not the majority in the 23rd District, I cannot and do not intend to speak for the Right as a whole. I can however speak for myself and can tell you I fully understand the reality of the political setting in that district having lived there for the last four years, but I digress. That being said, knowing the area and knowing the slim support that the Party will receive in the special election, I believe this is purely an attempt by the NY GOP and a few other misguided Republicans to sacrifice their values in the interest of grasping at straws and hoping to steal a victory – that even you Lipiwitz know will not prove successful. I know this is painful for some to hear but yes, it is better sometimes to actually stand for something and lose than to stand for nothing and just barely lose.
My apologies again on the DailyKos – glad you pointed that out.
I would assume that this is nothing more than what you said, finding a candidate that stands a chance in the special election. I am sure that Newt’s involvement in this was premature and the stubborn conservative that he is is making it difficult for him to now backtrack
I think John hit the nail on the head with his point. Gingrich is selling a new book this week. He obviously was given very poor advice somewhere in the process by one of his handlers.
I would hope that Newt is evolved enough as a politician to admit when he is wrong. Maybe he will reverse course on this one and save face before it is too late
Fred trumps Gingrich so Im pulling for Hoffman
Why is this “debate” even relevant? Niether candidate will win. The Democrat is the clear favorite here so I dont understand why either team would waste the political capital.
It is relevant because it is about principle. The Party should not support liberal candidates no matter where they may be running.
Scozzafava may not be the most able candidate or even the most ‘conservative’ choice, but she has been victimized by the GOP with her selection. They chose her under the rules of the state and she is the candidate. A reasonable degree of support should be offered by the party on her behalf so I believe that the harsh words directed at those who run the infrastructure of the party are absolutely unfounded as well as unreasonable and undeserved.
That may be true for the Party in NY but it has nothing to do whatsoever with Republicans of national stature coming to her rescue.
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
sure
I agree with Lipiwitz. I dont care if you are from New York or not because you are totally missing the point here. Neither candidate will win and you are only dividing your own party with your debate. If there is one. I really dont think that anyone knows either of these candidates outside your own party and that is why neither will have a chance at winning this election. I disagree with Lipiwitz on that point. It didnt matter what you did. You were losing either way.
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