Dem Candidate In Special Election Is Registered Independent, Doesn't Support Public Option
The Democrats have picked an unconventional candidate for the upcoming special election in New York's 23rd District, where GOP Rep. John McHugh has been nominated by President Obama to be Secretary of the Army.
Democrats have selected attorney Bill Owens, an attorney and Air Force veteran, to go up against socially-liberal Republican state Rep. Dede Scozzafava for the special election, which has not had a date set yet. Here's the thing: Owens says he does not favor a public option, though he does favor various other progressive measures to regulate insurance companies and to expand coverage. He is also technically not a Democrat -- he's a registered independent.
Obama carried this district by 52%-47% in 2008, though it had gone to Republican presidential candidates in previous cycles.
"This is proof-positive that the Democrats' health care takeover is a political loser even in Blue America," said a statement from NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. "The only remaining question is whether Nancy Pelosi will call him 'un-American' for siding with public opinion."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Why does this not surprise me.
The American electorate overwhelmingly votes in a Democrat for President, and gives the Democrats huge majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats then interpret this as a call for bipartisanship and compromise with the most irrational wing of the Republican Party. Even as that same wing paints swastikas on their office signs and shouts them down at townhalls, Dems bend over backwards to accommodate this angry mob, apparently thinking that pre-compromise will quell their hatred, and that they must somehow appease that wacko 20% Bush/Palin/birther/teabagger cult so everyone will magically love them.
August 11, 2009 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a perfect choice. His objection to a public option needs to be the centerpiece of the campaign. When he loses, maybe that will be a wake-up call to the Blue Dogs.
Democrats in that district ought to have a loud, organized boycott of the election and just let the Republican win in a landslide. Show the waffling dems what will happen to them in 2010 if they don't pass meaningful reform.
August 11, 2009 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Man if this was my district the words "sitting on my hands" come straight to mind.
August 11, 2009 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about a coordinated write-in campaign? Get everyone to vote for "Public Option".
August 12, 2009 12:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
The 23rd CD Dems didn't really "pick" Owens, the DNC basically did - trying to follow the 20th CD model - outsider no one knows who appears to be an attractive candidate - I know I was one rejected by them.
I am a lifelong DEM who ran for that same seat against current Rep. John McHugh (now waiting for his Army Secy job) in 1994. I lost - got caught up in the Gingrich "contract" scheme with a lot of other good people. A lot of DEMS around here don't like people who run and lose and then try to run again. They consider it "failure or some sort of weakness."
This pick is a huge slap in the face to all loyal,lifetime DEMS, and I am telling everyone or anyone who will listen.
Owens is NOT a DEM but NOW will not try and act like one, i.e., he has only given money to GOP candidates like former Sen. Al D'Amato and his old lawfirm boss, former NYS Sen. Ron Stafford. That outta tell people something.
Plus his views and issue stances: way out in "right" field. I know, I sat and spoke with him for about 30 minutes before our interview - I followed him.
I have a pretty good eye for assessing people - and Owens IS NOT a Dem. Now, believe it or not, I'm being called every name in the books for not "coming on board and supporting our choice." Funny, to me, he's not "our" choice - he's the committee's choice who acted IAW the rules, but they slapped plenty of DEMS along the way.
This is a huge let down ... but we shall see.
He probably will win since the GOPer, State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafafa, is more "right" than Owens. The Conservative choice, CPA Doug Hoffman (who BTW doesn't even live in the District), is a typical whacked out Conservative like most others - and we sure don't need another conservative in the House, right?
But, with Owens that's exactly what we are getting, just one with the DEM label. Kinda sad, really.
Sorry this is so long - but these things need to be added to the record - if those things matter for the record?
~ dan francis
September 6, 2009 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOOTNOTE and FYI: My blog, Dan Francis (above poster) for this district race is at http://www.politicalrapids.blogspot.com
Check it out.
September 6, 2009 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink