NY-23: Club For Growth, Fred Thompson Endorse Hoffman Over Scozzafava

by: robert.harding

Mon Sep 28, 2009 at 15:42:39 PM EDT

That theory might not be so far fetched.

The conservative Club For Growth endorsed Hoffman over Scozzafava today. You might remember that it was the Club For Growth that released a poll last week showing a very close race for Hoffman, Democratic candidate Bill Owens and Scozzafava.

Also on the conservative front, former Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson endorsed Hoffman as well. In endorsing Hoffman, Thompson makes it clear why he did so.

"Doug is a conservative, who understands that our freedom is our greatest strength, that life is a precious gift, and that getting back to our founding principles will ensure our nation's security and prosperity for us and for our children and grandchildren."

Notice the use of "conservative" at the start and this phrase: "That life is a precious gift." That is a slight jab at Scozzafava for her pro-choice positions. Hoffman has noted many times that he is against abortion.

This is an odd race. The Republicans picked a candidate who is pro-choice and pro-equality, clearly a sort of change of pace from what the GOP normally nominates. Then the Conservative Party, angry at the GOP pick, selects a conservative Republican to run on their line. The Democrats followed by selecting a moderate independent to run.

Now, there is clearly a battle between the conservative wing of the Republican Party and the Republican Party. Conservatives seem to be making it their goal to elect Hoffman instead of the "liberal" Dede Scozzafava.

This is interesting for many reasons. For starters, it shows a great disconnect in the Republican Party. Conservatives have dominated the party for years and when that is challenged, they get outraged. So much for moderate Republicans being able to stand up and be counted too. (Of course, we all remember how John McCain was received by the likes of Ann Coulter and company.)

Letting Hoffman and Scozzafava go at it could benefit Owens. But Owens needs to show Democrats that he is on our side. Picking an independent has its advantages in this race, but for the party loyalists and progressives, it raises some questions. For example, people want to know whether or not Owens is pro-choice. That hasn't been made clear. We shouldn't have to dig too far for those answers, yet those answers haven't been given. We need to know.

All eyes are on this race. It's going to be a heck of a ride.

NY-23: New Ad Out Targeting Scozzafava; Club For Growth Poll Shows Tight Race

by: robert.harding

Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 17:05:24 PM EDT

Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, the Republican nominee, leads with 20 percent. Democratic candidate Bill Owens comes in at 17 percent and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman also has 17 percent.

In case you don't know who the Club For Growth is, they are a pretty conservative group that wants to see the Bush tax cuts made permanent and believes in expanding free trade. So having this group come up with a poll that has such a diverse opinion of all three candidates is worth noting.

But like any of these polls, take it for what it's worth. There were only 300 people polled and the margin of error was over five percent.

The poll summary also shows the problems that the Republicans and conservatives (and perhaps Conservatives) will have as this race progresses. Those who are conservative Republicans might abandon their party and put ideology first by supporting Hoffman, who has separated himself as the conservative in this race while labeling Owens and Scozzafava as "liberals."

It does open up a chance for Owens to take the moderate vote (and apparently just as much of the conservative vote as Hoffman has) and win this election. I know people have certain opinions of Owens, but after learning more about him, he's not a bad candidate. (More on Owens later.)

Also out today is a new ad from the DCCC targeting Dede Scozzafava. This is in response to the ads sent out yesterday by the NRCC tying Owens to Pelosi in an attempt to, like Hoffman, make Owens look liberal.