When President Obama took office and began the process of nominating and appointing candidates for the endless list of vacancies in his administration as every president is forced to do, there were few who saw the choice of Representative John McHugh for Secretary of the Army as anything less than a political move. Obama had carried his district in the Presidential Election, so the administration and the DNC saw this as an opportunity to replace a Republican with a Democrat in a Congressional district that has been held by a Republican since before WWI. It was quite a brilliant move if examined objectively. Remove the incumbant and force the GOP to run a newcomer against a democrat just a year after Obama had won the hearts and minds of constituents there.
Once McHugh was out of the way, everything appeared to be falling in place for the White House and the DNC. Democrats found a strong liberal candidate in Bill Owens, and the New York Republicans in all their infinite wisdom chose a “moderate” – aka liberal- Republican in Dede Scozzafava to represent the GOP. The race appeared close in early polling, but the DNC appeared to be on its way to claiming a seat in Congress that could potentially offset the many it will surely lose in 2010.
Then the unthinkable happened. Another candidate emerged in the race running on the Conservative Party ticket. Both parties had ignored the fact that there was a substantial third-party presence in the district (and the state) and one that would prove to be extremely effective and influential when a “moderate” Republican was their only other option. As Doug Hoffman came on to the scene, conservatives across the nation began to take notice. Political icons like Dick Armey and Fred Thompson were the first to come to the side of Hoffman, and in weeks the weight of the whole conservative nation was pushing Hoffman into the spotlight and ahead in the polls. Potential 2012 GOP presidential nominees Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty even threw their names and political weight behind the conseravative candidate.
Then the unthinkable happened once more. Dede Scozzafava – carrying only 20% of the vote in most polls – decided to bow out from the race. With Hoffman and Owens in a statistical deadheat, the race was surely swung in favor of Hoffman. Then in an effort to punish the GOP and conservatives who had all but abandoned her, she decided to endorse the Democrat. So is the Obama plan back on track?
NO. Outside of her campaign staff and a few close friends, this move will do nothing but enrage Republicans who have been defending her for weeks as a genuine Republican. Now she is endoresing the Democrat? Only republicans as stubborn and pig headed as Newt Gingrich are far enough out there as to not admonish her at this point. Last night a Quinnipiac Poll showed a four point lead for Hoffman with 18% “undecided.” I have no doubt that when those 18% individuals awake this morning and consider the options before them, the vast majority of those former Scozzafava (Republicans) voters will follow their hearts and vote for the only real Republican that has ever been in this race. The race is Hoffman’s and the White House’s plan is foiled.
Newt Just Admit You Screwed Up
Glenn Beck Interviews Doug Hoffman
Hoffman Now Leads NY-23
Big Week for Hoffman in NY-23 Race
Palin Enters District 23 GOP Endorsement Game
Newt’s Rationale for Supporting a Liberal
Fred Thompson vs Newt Gingrich in New York
Newt’s NY Rhino Endorses the Democrat
Do you really think that the Obama camp thought about this election with his appointment? That seems like a stretch
I don’t think I am alone in that theory. When the nomination was made it was the story of the week that Obama and his administration were mounting an offensive on Republican seats. I was only surprised that the NY GOP countered with Scozzafava.
Brit Hume just called him a glorified nerd on Fox News. I thought I would add that. Just heard him say it as I was reading this.
Ha. Thanks. I heard that too. I am pretty sure he meant it lovingly though.
Disclaimer – Fox News just …happened to be on.