| Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman has run a far-right campaign. That is not "breaking news." The goal of his campaign is to run to the right of Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava, who is more of a traditional conservative or moderate (instead of a neo-conservative), based on her record.
One of the targets of Hoffman's campaign has been Scozzafava's alleged liberalism. Apparently, being pro-choice and pro-marriage equality qualifies you as a liberal even if the rest of your record isn't necessarily progressive.
So here's the question: If Scozzafava is "liberal", why would Hoffman welcome an endorsement from former Governor George Pataki?
Like Scozzafava, Pataki is pro-choice. When Pataki was being mentioned as a possible 2008 presidential candidate, the issue of abortion and his standing as a pro-choice Republican was seen as a weakness in the GOP primary. While he isn't supportive of marriage equality, Pataki is supportive of equal rights and believes that individuals in the gay community should be protected. He came out in opposition to a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and during his time as governor, signed legislation that would provide protections to members of the gay, lesbian and bisexual communities.
Pataki is also in favor of gun control. This puts him at odds with Hoffman, who has said he is for the Second Amendment and doesn't believe in any controls being put in place. He is also concerned about the environment and supports increasing renewable energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Pataki also proved that he is no friend of the tobacco industry. He proposed raising taxes on cigarettes to help cover costs associated with health care in New York.
In perhaps the best example of just where Pataki stands among the far-right, Human Events came out with their Top Ten RINOs rankings in December 2005. Number six on the top ten list? Governor George Pataki.
Here's what Human Events had to say about him:
Helped unions raise pay and unionize Indian casinos. Has said, "I believe in a limited government, low taxes, a tough approach to crime. ... But I also believe in an activist government. I'm not one of those laissez-faire types."
Pataki was joined on that list by Mitt Romney, who was then governor of Massachusetts. He did have good company: Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island was number one and New York Congressman Sherwood Boehlert was also on the list. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) was on the list too, along with Maine's duo of moderate senators: Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe.
Who does the Pataki endorsement help more? Apparently, Pataki. Endorsing a right-winger might get him in the door with other members of the Palin Party. But a quick look at his past shows that he hasn't been a good friend to the right-wingers in the past and they haven't exactly been welcoming to him either.
In Hoffman's case, this endorsement raises a good question: If Scozzafava is bad because she is a "liberal" Republican, why is Pataki's endorsement a good thing? Better yet, was it even solicited? Will it be seen on the list of other endorsements, which include Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum and other members of the Palin Party?
I can't imagine they would tout this endorsement. Pataki has a lot of similarities to Dede Scozzafava. So Hoffman being endorsed by Pataki is like Hoffman being endorsed by well, Dede Scozzafava. And since she is an evil liberal Republican, that's not a good thing (at least for him). |
