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Doug Hoffman: If I Win, GOP Will Look At The Principles Of Future Nominees
NY-23 Candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)
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Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, appeared on Glenn Beck's TV show today, and said a victory in the special election will send a strong message to the GOP about future candidate selections.
"I'm fighting for the heart and soul of the Republican Party," said Hoffman. "And I think if I win this campaign, that people will take notice, and the next time they select a candidate, they will look at the principles."
Hoffman is running against Democrat Bill Owens and moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, whose selection as the GOP's candidate has triggered a revolt by right-wing activists and politicians across the country. Scozzafava is pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and even pro-Employee Free Choice Act. So if Hoffman wins, or even just spoils the race in favor of the Democrats, the GOP will know that moderate candidates need not apply for other races -- thus foiling efforts by some in the party to expand their ranks and ideological reach.
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CT Voter
October 26, 2009 6:40 PM
That search for "conservative principles" in future candidates might take quite awhile.
But I wish them the best of luck in the hunt. . .
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Walter Mitty
October 26, 2009 7:05 PM
How is Scozzafava the spoiler when she won the Republican primary? Hoffman is the third wheel and doesn't have the support of the NRCC.
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David
October 26, 2009 7:18 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
There was no primary or caucus. Dede was appointed by the local GOP party.
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holyhandgrenaid
October 26, 2009 7:16 PM
Not following your logic there Eric. It seems to me that if Owens wins this, the lesson to the GOP should be to not be so purist.
Unless it was snark, in which case no kidding, The Club for Growth is the lesson that the GOP just doesn't seem to be learning
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Icon
October 26, 2009 7:33 PM in reply to holyhandgrenaid
The only thing that's going to grow if Owens wins is the Democratic caucus in the House. Funny too that the same thing will happen if Hoffman wins, although not until a bit later.
Either way, the dems win. Does Hoffman not realize how his being such a tool is damaging the political ideology he espouses?
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TBender
October 26, 2009 8:20 PM in reply to Icon
None of them do. It's ideological purity forever!
A conservative friend of mine on Facebook just joined a FB group called "Rid the Republican Party of R.I.N.O.'s", which pushes this idea even further. They really don't see the larger picture. Apparently, everyone will just come around to their viewpoint about government or they'll hold another tea party or something.
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mans_best_friend
October 26, 2009 10:24 PM in reply to holyhandgrenaid
No it's not a snark. He's said the same thing several times before. I had the same reaction you did. The more the GOP puts up extreme candidates the more they become a rump party.
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Overreach THIS!
October 26, 2009 10:16 PM
He has no grasp on the district's issues whatsoever, so what does he want to campaign on? "Principles," I suppose, but Bachmann's nut issues, taxes are bad, death panels, and I imagine the point that our gun rights have mostly already been taken away by libruls and soon will be gone completely.
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TaylorB1
October 26, 2009 10:55 PM
Their attitude is that it's better to destroy the GOP than to compromise their "ideals." For the angry right, this is no longer politics...it's become their religion and of course no deviation from "the truth" is allowed. Good friggin' luck ever again getting a foothold in New England or most of the rest of the country...they make a lot of noise, these tea-baggers, but their numbers are not what they seem to imagine they are.
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Overreach THIS!
October 27, 2009 5:29 AM in reply to TaylorB1
There is a political movement in the country of Georgia, called informally the Zviadists. Their hero, fascist Zviad Gamsukhurdia won an election in the early 1990s and that makes him legitimate President now, they say. He tore the country apart with horrific nationalist bloodshed, and was himself killed under murky circumstances in the 90s.
So you say to them, "He's dead. You are suggesting that a dead person be President?" They answer, "He was chosen by the people and we need to honor that!" So they as well are driven by principles.
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inokeah
October 27, 2009 12:38 AM
Old Dede is just loved by ACORN.
And if you want to know about ACORN just ask Old Charlie at ABC.
Remember ACORN the grope that was represented by or President in dozens of law suits to made then take bad loans that took down the banking industry in our country?
That is right Charlie, that president!
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Overreach THIS!
October 27, 2009 8:08 AM in reply to inokeah
You seem pretty mixed up.
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lousgirl84
October 27, 2009 10:43 AM in reply to inokeah
Oh please. Take your Acorn b/s somewhere else.
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_jonny_5_
October 27, 2009 10:45 AM in reply to lousgirl84
We know better than to engage the trolls...
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Overreach THIS!
October 27, 2009 8:29 AM
Hoffman said in his Beck video that if he wins, it will make others around the country to look again at how candidates are picked (i.e., and choose wackadoodles instead of responsible candidates). Palin's in on it, and now this buffoon Fred Thompson. And he knows nothing about the district.
This all points out strategies for other two candidates: he's not one of us, and his objectives are to remake the national Republican party: he does not and will not represent this district.
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_jonny_5_
October 27, 2009 10:43 AM
Part of me Wants Hoffman to win. It would encourage the GOP to nominate more hardline(read:unelectable in most cases) candidates.
I can see the mind of a GOOPer thinking "Well if Hoffman can win in the Northeast than clearly Palin can win many places too" I would encourage them to test that theory...
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