Video: Glenn Beck goes all in for Doug Hoffman — and third parties
posted at 7:55 pm on October 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
“I am no longer going to throw my vote away by giving it to the party,” he vows, confirming Gingrich’s fears of independent challengers splitting Republicans in purple districts into conservative and moderate camps next year and handing the district to the Democrat. In fact, I thought of Beck and his “In or Out” litmus test (which he touched on briefly tonight) while writing this post last week. Given his activist ambitions, it’s easy to imagine him using his show to encourage and promote a variety of third-party congressional candidates, and while they’re unlikely to win, they could bleed enough votes from Republican nominees to make life easier for The One. Beck would shrug that off by claiming that there’s zero difference between the major parties anyway and, a la his assertion that McCain would have been worse for America than Obama, that another GOP loss next year might actually be good for the country in preparing the ground for his brand of libertarian Republicanism. Which makes this a perfect place to quote Doctor Zero’s rejoinder to him last month:
During the campaign, disgruntled Republicans often said it would be better to have Obama in office, showing everyone just how horrible Democrat policies are, than tolerate a RINO like McCain pushing the same policies in low gear, with bipartisan fingerprints. Glenn Beck’s slap at McCain is a retroactive expression of the idea that conservatism is just one crushing defeat away from total victory. Anyone who thought it was worth putting Obama in office, as some kind of object lesson for the American voter, gravely underestimated the amount of damage he could do. Look at how far we’ve sailed past the edge of fiscal sanity, in only nine months. It would take decades of careful, moderate reform just to get us back to where George Bush left us… and that wasn’t exactly an enviable position. Freedom is an endless voyage, while tyranny has far too many points of no return. The course we steered away from President McCain has taken us perilously close to those terminal waters.
One crushing defeat away from total victory, in perpetuity. A question for Beck fans, borrowing a line uttered here by the man himself: What is the endgame? There’s a sense I get from watching Beck that he thinks there’s a supermajority out there willing to return to Founders-style libertarianism if only he and other conservatives hammer the message hard and long enough. I don’t think there is. And if I’m right that there’ll always be at least 40 votes or so in the Senate and 45 percent among the population for progressivism, how does he presume to enact the libertarian agenda while confronting the realities of congressional compromise? In a perfect world, Doug Hoffman wins and all the purple districts break for “true conservatives” and all federal entitlements are repealed and the income tax is abolished etc etc etc. Assume hypothetically now that the world isn’t perfect. What is the endgame?
Blowback
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And stop saying “immigration”. That is disingenuous and a lie. It is illegal aliens we are talking about. Immigration is a totally different topic. Try and be honest about it.
progressoverpeace on October 26, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Uh, yeah. A bunch of people have been calling the Capitol switchboards for health care reform….I bet anti-war activists were able to light up the Capitol switchboards also…your point?
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 9:25 PM
jp on October 26, 2009 at 9:24 PM
You had your ideal candidate McCain…he is a loser, and that kind of candidate will lose every time.
Conservative Voice on October 26, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Hate to break it to you. We are a political minority. And I think I’m using “we” a bit loosely.
Smiles on October 26, 2009 at 9:25 PM
You mean from the movie Braveheart? Or are you talking about the actual historical figures? Because those are two very different things.
Patrick Ishmael on October 26, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Hey AP, what’s your endgame???
aigle on October 26, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Your not getting what I’m saying.
Drawing a line in the sand, saying you will only support the Purist in every race, no matter what, is idiotic. All it will do is split the vote and Deliver more Democrats(SOCIALIST) to Congress/Senate and increase Obama’s Power.
jp on October 26, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Conservatives are not going to give up those issues that are important to us. The moderates will have to decide which is more important to them, winning elections and having a strong country or their pet social issues.
Rose on October 26, 2009 at 9:27 PM
McCain was not my ‘ideal candidate’, quit being silly.
No “R” was going to win last year, especially not a horrible politician like McCain up against the white guilt candidate
jp on October 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Were they? I don’t recall that.
Pablo on October 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM
That is not what he’s saying. He’s saying that he won’t support someone who offends his sensibilities with their positions, and, in those cases would gladly vote third party. Stop with the “purist” stuff.
progressoverpeace on October 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I’m not a Beck fan – but I think what he’s doing is constructive … so let me take a stab at this …
A conservative majority. Doesn’t matter whether there is an “R”, a “D”, or a “C” or “I” or … whatever. Beck realizes that it’s not a party majority that counts. If it did – we’d have received the public option three months ago. It’s doubtful that Republicans will EVER receive the kind of supermajorities the Democrats now enjoy. Complete control of the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, most of the Judiciary, and an overwhelmingly friendly press. If Democrats can’t pass their agenda in this kind of environment – Republicans can never hope to … if they adhere to the current paradigm. Beck knows that it’s ideology that counts – that 60 Republicans in the Senate means nothing if you have the Olympia Snowes, Susan Collins’, and Lindsey Grahamnesty’s in that mix.
You’re not watching him then. I only see him every now and then but one of his famous lines is … “People Need To Wake Up!” … or one of many variants of that line. Beck is trying to create the supermajority. He does believe we’re most of the way there – that most people agree with the basic tenets of the contemporary Liberty movement.
Now you can call him a dreamer – but you cannot (with any credibility) make the claim that electing Republicans regardless of their ideology will “save” this nation. It absolutely won’t. I’m not going to attempt to seduce you with my incredible logic like David Frum would – I will simply point to the fact that WE HAD a majority in Congress and that majority is partly responsible for the sad state this nation is in today. That majority didn’t keep this nation from going in the wrong direction. Additionally – I’ll point to the fact that the Dems have a supermajority and the press and everything going for them and they can’t get anything done.
You can argue I’m wrong – but at least I can point to factual real-life examples. The Frumians have only fanciful rhetoric on their side.
It the GOP doesn’t get a clue and kick the Ayatollah’s to the curb – then the Liberty movement goes to a third party. The GOP will have NO base.
Faced with losing it’s base or handing over the keys to the car to the new drivers … what’s the most SANE choice for the Ayatollahs?
HondaV65 on October 26, 2009 at 9:31 PM
The problem is that we have many progressive/socialist pols that have an R after their name. If the choice is between a socialist with an R and one with a D, I’ll go with neither.
I’m from PA and I get calls each quarter from the state GOP asking for money. I ask them if they provided money to Specter. They say yes, I say that’s why I donate to candidates NOT parties. The same goes for my vote. I vote for the right candidate and never again for a party.
crashland on October 26, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Hey, as soon as you hear him say something about only supporting purists, get back to me. If you have a problem with only supporting principled people to serve us, then state that objection.
Pablo on October 26, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I like to keep politics real. So here are 10 “real” reasons why a voter would vote for Scozzafava:
1)Ignorance; even among Republicans there are plenty of stupid people
2)strictly apolitical party vote-always vote Republican
3)Believe it not RINO voters do exist although they are often drowned out by more vocal conservatives
4)To protest Obama but not go off the deep end
5)3rd party votes never work
6)because she is a female; many women hate men
7)she supports Obama’s agenda
8)her name is sexy
9)hatred of Sarah Palin
10)know Dede personally
Other than those 10 reasons Hoffman should attract way more votes than Dede, but irrationality does play a part in who wins and who loses elections IMHO.
technopeasant on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Didn\’t that poll out today show that only 20-something percent of the American public even considers itself liberal, much less \”progressive\”?
The Lone Platypus on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The GOP has been frightened since the election in November. I didn’t agree with those who stayed home because Sen. McCain was too moderate but I certainly understood it. This race in NY23 is the perfect chance to send a strong clear message about what the base would like to see in a candidate without suffering any real consequences if the Mr. Hoffman doesn’t win. The real kick in the teeth would be if Mrs. Scuzafavva (sic?) were to win. This is probably the only foray into third parties I will be making but I am enjoying the opportunity.
Cindy Munford on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
NY23 is the perfect race to test out the Conservative vs. Republican theory. Electing a Democrat will give Obama and the Democrats bragging rights, but only for a year, then it possible to reverse. The candidate, picked by the party apparatus, is perhaps the worst one for Republicans. I would guess that her vote could be trusted a lot less than the Senators from Maine.
As far as McCain goes, if he were to run again, and a strong Conservative was willing to take him on, he would lose. There seems to be a little rebellion going on and, personally, I’m all for it. Why not? Liberal Republicans aren’t going to defeat the Liberal Democrats agenda.
bflat879 on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Beck is not a conservative, he is a libertarian. I agree with Limbaugh and Levin that a third party movement will be a disaster, and the solution is to reclaim the Republican party. District 23 is an isolated case since there was no primary and the Republican candidate is to the left of the Democrat. It is the perfect time and place to send a message to the Republican establishment. We will see how great the third party idea is if Corzine wins in NJ.
Jasper61 on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I hope Hoffman wins and I wish I could vote for him. I know when it comes to NY that the Republican party often must settle for a RINO. I know that RINOs have their place in every party. Sometimes RINOs are the only way to get a majority in congress to get things passed. The last conservative legislation to pass congress was The Contract With America and it would have never gotten passed without some RINOs. I don’t have a problem with moderate republicans being in the party but they should understand that they don’t control the party, they are not leaders of our party and that they will not be given leadership roles within our party. They shouldn’t expect the party to get behind their leftist ideas in the name of bipartisanship or go along with big government expansion plans. If they want to be moderates and republicans they should be prepared to compromise and defer to our core conservative principles. They should NOT, I repeat, NOT ever be our party’s nomination for President. Dems have DINOs or Blue Dogs in their party too but they don’t nominate them to be their leader and president. Republicans should stop sucking up to the RINOs so much. This woman was endorsed by Moveon.com and ACORN. The only thing good about her is the (R) after her name and electing her might just water down and confuse the true meaning of an (R) in the minds of voters.
Dollayo on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Maybe you haven’t been reading the news brother – but there was an election last year that resulted in a bloodletting for the GOP.
There was not a third party candidate in sight.
The GOP doesn’t need a third party to lose it’s ass – and that was proven one year ago.
Don’t blame third parties for the GOP’s problems. There currently are NO third parties.
HondaV65 on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
What’s the endgame? American Revolution II, with the Leftists Loyalists sent to Venezuela or Cuba like the original Loyalists were chased to Canada. “You are no longer our countrymen.” Sam Adams.
SDN on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Great points.
You have it right whereas AP has it wrong. I understand AP’s points, and under normal circumstances I see how he could support conventional wisdom and go all Pharisaical (white washed representing very little) on us. But here’s the point – These are anything but normal circumstances. We stand at the precipice and all we get from the ayatollah’s and the pharisees are more and more government.
A GOP majority gets the Constitutionalist’s nothing. We have 16 years of proof. Unfortunately, thats what AP represents.
True_King on October 26, 2009 at 9:43 PM
The problem with Glenn Beck is that he is correct.
khacha on October 26, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I saw many Dems at my area’s tea parties and at a Sarah Palin rally before the election not to believe that at its core, the nation trends conservative.
The Left has the media megaphone, which enables it to trumpet that the nation embraces its values. But in the voting booth, conservatism in the form of smaller government, fiscal restraint, individual freedom, and national security trump party lines.
onlineanalyst on October 26, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Yes, it is so much better when we elect people like Snowe, Collins, Specter, Grahamnesty, etc. I can tell such a difference in the way they govern. It is a much easier pill to swallow if they have an R by their name. Makes it all better. /sarc
PrincipledPilgrim on October 26, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Scozzafava will enter the lexicon as the new word for an own goal.
ElectricPhase on October 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM
There was no way I was going to vote for Obama, Hillary, or even Ron Paul though I appreciate his no nonsense approach. Huckabee or Romney would have been little different from McCain IMHO.
The only reason the RINO angle concerning the run for the White House is significant now is that if McCain had been elected we wouldn’t be facing 10% of this Marxist-Socialist, white guilt, America-apologizing nonsense so without an Obama in there it would have made little difference as most of this would not have taken place…but now we need a truly strong conservative White House and Congress in order to undo the junk that these “progressives” have done and have yet to do.
A McCain/RINO four years from now would make little difference in the Leftist foundation being laid down right now.
I still maintain that McCain would have continued a strong Bush/Cheney foreign policy stance and there would have been no BS “reset button”. Of that I’m PDS. The economic stuff? Would have sucked but nothing like it is now.
Dr. ZhivBlago on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I can put Givein Gingrich’s mind at rest.
I don’t need a “third party” to “split me off”.
I’m not going to vote for a DIABLO. Period.
If there is no acceptable candidates, I am not going to drive 24 miles to vote for a not as bad as.
(I might if there are other issues to be decided–that is the worst part of the garbage put up form the top slots. But in that case I will leave the offices with no acceptable candidates blank.)
lsheldon on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
In this particular case, they have a choice of a foot-long tuna sub with rancid mayo (Republican), a foot-long tuna sub with rotted fish (Democrat), and a bowl of soup (Independent). Yes, the subs are way more filling than the soup but it’s full of poison. you can see through the soup and see all that is in it.
I’ll take the soup any day.
mizflame98 on October 26, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I\’ve been swallowing my ideals to vote for the lesser of two evils for years and all it\’s accomplished is to encourage a progressively worse slate of candidates. It\’s time to try something new. I will no longer vote for someone just because they have the right letter after their name. IF someone wants my vote they\’ve got to represent my opinions.
Rip Ford on October 26, 2009 at 9:58 PM
No doubt McCain would have been better. He wouldn’t have signed a trillion dollar pork give away and we wouldn’t have the “wise Latina” racist on our highest court for who knows how many years. Beck was delusional to say that McCain would have been worse than Obama.
Dollayo on October 26, 2009 at 10:02 PM
I tried to cover your six, AllahP, but as you figured out a while ago, People of Faith are difficult to divert from their purpose and it’s even more difficult to make True Believers into Doubting Toms
You’re right in the short run, but hopefully totally wrong in the Long Haul. Conservatives desperately need a dynamic effective charismatic Republican leader to unite social and economic conservatives, and none are on the hoirzon
exceptin’ Sarah, who I think will either sink the Party or redeem it
remember, All Politics is Risk
Janos Hunyadi on October 26, 2009 at 10:03 PM
The endgame is voting for politicians who espouse conservative principles. Period.
NebCon on October 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
The simple answer to your question is YES.
Conservatives are in the majority in ever state in the union. Remember, in 1984 Reagan won 49 of 50 states, and almost won the 50th. I think he was only a point behind.
Conservatism works every time it’s tried.
What people really want is LEADERSHIP. Pair up a solid leader with a solid conservative bent, and they will win absolutely anywhere.
One thing is for DAMNED SURE, you certainly can’t win if you don’t show up!
gary4205 on October 26, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Ah, the constant argument of the quick screw versus the slow screw. Dr. Zero and anyone who agrees with demanding the slow screw over the quick screw, you are all daffed, becuase a screw is a screw, slow or quick you still wind up with a sore feeling afterwards.
paulsur on October 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Declare there is no god. Never, ever prove it. Then sit in front of a monitor all day and night playing word games.
Stephen M on October 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Glen Beck wrote out an itemized list of the five most important issues to consider when voting for a Congressional candidate. This obviously resonates with his viewers, and this is your endgame.
alliebobbitt on October 26, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Reagan was over 20 years ago, things change.
If they like conservatives everywhere why did Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney have to run as social liberals in their respective states? Because they like to piss off their conservative base?
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Here is another conservative purist that you can attack endlessly.
Ever wonder what her endgame is?
MoCoM on October 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil!! I’m done with the RINOs and DIABLOs. No more. And if that means I’m throwing my vote away, so be it.
Special K on October 26, 2009 at 10:15 PM
More from this purist that is willing to let the GOP go bust rather than “win.”
MoCoM on October 26, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Some of you are truly delusional.
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
The “end game” is to have a real choice. One can’t always expect to win and may often lose, but to have a real choice is the “end game.” I’m in.
Sheerq on October 26, 2009 at 10:16 PM
The fact that Markos Moulitsas is supporting Scozzaflava over Owens shows how conservative principles make sense to the majority of Americans right now, and also just how far to the left the Republican nominee is. Hoffman stands a good chance of winning based on these trends.
Polling from the Club for Growth, who endorsed Hoffman, showed that the Democratic candidate is splitting votes from the Republican. The Conservative is not the vote splitter but the alternative to two candidates who are the same.
alliebobbitt on October 26, 2009 at 10:17 PM
And let’s not forget that two or three percent of the population that is truly moderate and listens to the voice of Aristotle from so long ago. We will do our best to screw over the utopias of the over-simplistic–which, by the way, is one of the definitions of traditional conservativism. That the dreams of any agenda being implemented are slim to none makes me happy. Sadly, it’s not the only threat to societies that promote human and environmental flourishing out there.
thuja on October 26, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Reagan ran as a conservative, meaning he supported principles laid down by our Founders. Conservatism is liberal in and of itself. No other country in the world or in the history of the world enjoys the freedom of the United States. Every couple generations, someone else tries to exploit the bounty of this great nation, but the American people are strong, resourceful and proud. At least, they were before the communists infiltrated our public school system.
alliebobbitt on October 26, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Thank you for making my point for me.
muggedbyreality on October 26, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I agree with Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit on this:
A third party on a national level would in all probability damage conservatives and help Democrats. Maybe Beck does not care what kind of chance people have of actually winning, but anyone who cares about what kind of laws get passed in this country really should.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:23 PM
This troubles even me as as I defend Scozzaflava. I want a reasonable moderate Republicanism, but I have been disappointed recently. Particularly, a few votes for the “stimulus” bill and its economic insanity. I still have faith that moderate Republicanism can be done right: hard core economic conservatism plus social liberalism plus some flexibility on other issues.
thuja on October 26, 2009 at 10:24 PM
ROFLMAO!
So, you’re saying McCain would have won if he went pro-choice?
You don’t get it. The whole damn thing was a set up. McCain was a product of the GOP presidential primary system which suits the press just fine.
He never had a chance in hell.
The stars are aligning. Obama is leaving the country with a Nixon-Carter hangover.
Saltysam on October 26, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Comment of the year.
alliebobbitt on October 26, 2009 at 10:26 PM
The truth is there are some very conservative people in the Republican party. People can complain about leadership all they want, but the truth is there is no reason to believe another party would be any different. It makes more sense to push the Republicans to the right, to make inroads from the ground up in the state and local parties.
Hoffman is an exception to the rule, in a conservative district with a bad candidate. But a third party running against someone like Pence in Indiana will nothing more than a spoiler and a gift to Democrats.
It is a bad idea.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Were Scozzafava (sp?) to win purely on the basis of her “R” —Heaven forbid—there would be no ousting of her. Party lockstep imposed by the bigwigs would insist that she be re-elected to maintain R numbers.
Besides that, I can envision her changing parties not long after a win.
onlineanalyst on October 26, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Read my comment again. I’m saying a “true conservative” would never win in the city of NYC or the state of Massachusetts. My point was that in their respective states Mitt and Rudy didn’t run as “true conservatives.” They ran as moderates and WON!
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 10:28 PM
terryannonline:
Something I have noticed is that abortion is one of those things that can cross party lines. My Congressman is a Democrat, and he is pro-life. Some moderates are.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Well there old has been Newt on greta fox show tonight huffing and puffing and telling Rush ,Palin,Levin and all of us conservatives how stupid we all are for not supporting the Liberal Rep. instead of Hoffman.He went on to say how smart he is after all he did this and he did that and we better listen to him.Newt your just mad because you do not matter anymore.
thmcbb on October 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
RINO Snowe-Clone Dede Scozzafava — the anointed GOP candidate for New York’s 23rd district — is not only a fan of ACORN, not only a fan of card-check, not only a fan of tax increases, not only a fan of government health care and not only a fan of Chairman Zero, but also seems to have yet something else in common with many Democrats: Tax and corruption issues.
It appears Dede Scozzafava is funneling RNC, NRCC, and donor dollars through her campaign account to her family.
Her company’s key subsidiaries have accumulated hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal tax liens. As of July 13, 2009 – or less than a week ago – three of Dede’s businesses have $192,000 in outstanding liens.
Dede’s brother is Thomas W. Scozzafava and he is married to Pearl Han Ashcraft. Dede Scozzafava’s campaign has paid $3750.00 in disclosed expenses to Pearl Han Productions, LLC for “Strategic Consulting,” the most bland of descriptions.
Here’s where it gets interesting.
On Scozzafava’s disclosures, Pearl Han Productions, LLC is located at 2001 S.E. Sailfish Pt. Blvd. #112, Stuard, NY 34996. There is just one problem. No such place exists. What does exist, however, is 2001 S.E. Sailfish Pt. Blvd. #112, Stuart, FL 34996, a beautiful ocean front condo. At that address, you’ll find Pearl Han Productions, LLC, incorporated in the State of Florida. (PDF). The person in charge is Pearl Ashcraft, Dede’s sister-in-law.
So, NRCC, you still going to keep polishing this turbo-turd to the tune of $300,000 in support, or are you going to cut your losses? How about you, Newt Gingrich? Have you heard enough, or are you going to stand by this corrupt liberal in the name of “broadening the base?”
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on October 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM
The problem is that moderate Americans cannot afford sending another Snowe, Specter or Collins to Washington. A true conservative Republican would never consider supporting a healthcare bill that subsidized abortions and, naturally, raised taxes. A moderate Republican who claims to vote fiscally conservative would rationalize that free abortions, in the long run, are cheaper than welfare. In a blue district, the voters would buy that. In a red district, there’s no reason for this compromise. In the grand scheme of things, the budget is in the high trillions, and Americans cannot afford free abortions for our citizens and the rest of the world. Also, the government should not be running a sixth of our economy on top of everything else.
alliebobbitt on October 26, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I am not so sure about that. I wonder if she can win at all, and if she does, I wonder if she could survive a primary challenge from someone like Hoffman.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I think Beck hits it squarely on the head:
True conservative ideals: 3rd party needed, because the rank and file Republicans ain’t getting it.
Republicans: just because it says “R” after your name doesn’t mean we agree like zombies.
McCain? Ideal candidate? Puh-leeze! Wasn’t he kicked around to run with Kerry as VP in 2004?
Know what? If we’re all getting screwed by the Left while the Right takes its sweet ol’ time figuring it out, then the Right wasn’t on our side anyway. I went Libertarian, how about you?
HAnthonyWayne on October 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM
alliebobbitt:
Well, Spector is not a Republican anymore, and I am not sure that any Republicans will be voting for this health care bill. I think there is a good chance that if this thing passes it will be totally a one party bill. That is very unusual for a bill like this and it could be very damaging for Democrats. Add cap and trade to that and they will be in trouble.
Unless of course someone saves them by splitting the opposition vote. Clinton won with less than 42% of the vote, I doubt very much if a third party could garner enough votes to be anything but a spoiler.
I guess time will tell.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 10:28 PM
So, Scozzafava is a conservative, just running as a liberal?
Oh, I thought she was just being honest.
Okay…wink, wink.
Saltysam on October 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
It may be possible to polish a turd but Dede is beyond help.
ElectricPhase on October 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
HAnthony:
I think Beck’s number one concern might be his ratings. After all, no matter what happens, he wins.
I know a lot of conservative Republicans who will not abandon people like Pence and DeMint and Ryan to vote for some third party candidate. It is one thing to run a conservative in a district like the 23rd in NY where there is not much to lose, but a third party run in 2010 would be very different.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Good points. I voted for McCain and Palin. I did my bit. Of all the things said about McCain on this site, agreed with or not, I never for one minute doubted he LOVES HIS COUNTRY! So for all those who stayed home rather than vote for a RINO, sorry folks, but I think you’re to blame for this mess too. I know your hearts were in the err..right place but…
Fiscal responsiblity is number one in my book. No nationalization of private business. Strong foreign policy. I frankly don’t care about same sex marriage issues (I have family and friends who are gay, how can I not support them?). I do understand that a moderate would be more acceptable in, say, California. My problem is the GOP doesn’t listen. The last guy who called trolling for money didn’t listen. No more money for those clowns until they can say, “We get it,” and mean it.
Annietxgrl on October 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I’m in the twenty third district here in Oswego NY and my vote goes to Doug Hoffman. He is not a RINO who he will replace. McHugh was a RINO and he grabbed the bait that Obama cast before him so another RINO that votes like a lefty will replace him. It’s very difficult for the GOP to realize that the old school is closed and the BS thats been coming down is exactly that, BS. You folks in the GOP better realize the conservative movement. Go back to your roots. Do you hear us now?????????? Me voting “A” all the way is over. You creeps in the GOP better get an education and creep out of the beltway and learn to listen to your constituents we will vote you out of office in November.
mixplix on October 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I don’t like this woman and would not vote for her, but she is the Republican candidate thanks to the locals up there who picked her and everyone is stuck with that including the NRCC. To be honest, if she had withdrawn she would have been doing the party a favor, but they can not support the man who is not a Republican. Individual Republicans can and should, but the party is stuck.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Looks like Newtie is doubling down on Greta tonight. Well, as far as this conservative is concerned – screw you Newt. Don’t give me that “[B]ut she’s a fiscal conservative…”
What in tarnation is fiscally conservative about card-check, pro-abortion (she doesn’t want to see any women denied the right to kill, even the poor ones — logical conclusion is to support it w/taxes) and all the other squishy issues anathema to fiscal policy.
And of course Newtie, slammed it homwe to say it’s a local election and Sarah and others had no business supporting the anti-GOP candidate. Excuse me? Then why are you giving a rat’s butt about this local race then, Newtie?
I think you’re beyond redemption… Buh-bye.
AH_C on October 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
He is everything his audience wants him to be. What sort of libertarian is religious?
rightistliberal on October 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
The endgame would be to start fronting and supporting candidates in the GOP that more reflect conservatism than they do “moderate” which really means Dem-lite with a pretty PC tag adorning it.
The RNC is getting a choice : stop supporting the moderate from the get go every single time and start supporting candidates that wont cut your legs out from under you in crucial votes where principle counts more than re-election.
Its called leadership instead of polling.
Opportunity Costs on October 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Reagan’s ideas are never out of style.
Falling back to the lesser of the two evils argument to try to justify your idea that conservationism is a dead idea?
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 10:12 PM
mizflame98 on October 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Beck can say we are better off with Obama than McCain, but that is insane. McCain was not perfect by a long shot, but he would not play games with our foreign policy, or bankrupt the country, or apologize for the United States and do most of the really scary stuff Obama is doing.
Terrye on October 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Sure. I arn’t interested in a small gvoernment whcih decides if abortion is legal or not or has a problem with gays getting married. So let there be war. If you can win without us, go ahead and nominate Palin in 2012 and win.
rightistliberal on October 26, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1fYSAChxs
Jeff from WI on October 26, 2009 at 10:57 PM
I know he was an alcoholic, but libertarians are dopers too.
Jeff from WI on October 26, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Let’s make a deal. If we get four more years of Obama, can we get you to go to four years of school? Pretty please?
rinohumper on October 26, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Return the GOP to its conservative principles.
If that means losing an election or two, so be it. I couldn’t care less.
Norwegian on October 26, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Karl Marx was over 150 years ago, yet Obama got elected.
Norwegian on October 26, 2009 at 11:12 PM
People who can’t even vote for Hoffman have already made him the standard bearer of conservatism. I hope he can live up to it. 80 plus Democrat seats in the Senate should really teach those GOP’s a lesson. Yessir.
mike_NC9 on October 26, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Ultimately Republicans don’t want to lose, and I don’t think it will take too many losses due to divided Republican votes before they catch on and realize that we are no longer willing to cast our votes for RINOs. Back to Conservative values or lose, baby. Bring it on.
sisterchristian on October 26, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Sent back my FIFTH “survey” to those idiots in DC tonite. I don’t even know which one, the RNC, the Senate R re-election peeps or even the House R re-election peeps. What is the difference?
Once again, I wrote in thick sharpie pen the following:
NO RINOS!!!!!!!!
NO AMNESTY!!!!!!!!!!!
NO UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!!!!!!!!!
STOP SPENDING!!!!!!!!!!
Then I wrote on the back page where they want a donation, that I only donate directly to the REAL conservatives in the primary running against RINOS. I told them that as long as they are sending national money to SNOWE, COLLINS, CRIST, etc, they will NEVER get a dime from me. I told them I am making it my MISSION in life to purge DC of RINOS!!
After five of these in a week, are they getting a clue?
Meanwhile, I got a thank you letter from Duffy running for Congress as a Conservative in WI next year. Check him out. http://www.duffyforcongress.com He got my money, not the national committee!!! I am also supporting Russell who is running against Murtha, and I sent in TWO Hoffman donations this week.
karenhasfreedom on October 26, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Show me the moderate in NY-23. Seriously. Stop blowing off the same old losing GOP claptrap of the past four years and show me where Dede Scozzafava has shown any indication at all that she will hold fast to just one major GOP plank.
There is no moderate running in NY-23. There is a Democrat and someone who is backed by the big unions, has allied herself in three different elections with ACORN, has not voted to cut taxes once, and has shown no inclination toward smaller nor limited government.
But, let’s assume that I play your game and back Scozzafava. What, pray tell, will you do with a majority that counts her a member? What legislation will you push that will both get her vote and push the nation away from the nigh-totalitarian state it’s in right now? Are you just going to put that power in a nice display case and shine it up once in a while, because that it, from where I sit, all you’ll be able to do if we adopt your strategy. You will have no power at all as a majority and you’ll have to fight every day to get even your cornerstone pieces of legislation passed.
Don’t believe me? Look at the headaches Rahm Emanuel is getting from his Blue Dog contingent who reaches Congress using exactly the same strategy you want the GOP to use right now. You think he’s a happy camper right now that one of his pet power projects is saying publicly that he and 40 of his buddies will stymie Obamacare unless there’s a vote on the abortion provisions?
If you want a permanent minority, the first step is easy. Elect Dede Scozzafava to Congress and I guarantee the voting public will walk away from the Republicans because it will be abundantly obvious to them that the party has no principles on which it is willing to stand except for “power for power’s sake”.
Jimmie Bise, Jr on October 26, 2009 at 11:30 PM
No third parties please. This guarantees a democrat ala Clinton and Ross Perot.
DEMAND THE REPUBLICANS ELECT ONLY CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES, pressure them to DROP people like Scuzzynavel. Call the republican office in New York to drop her and place Hoffman in as the republican candidate.
If we go third party, this will surely be the last election republicans EVER have a chance to reject the socialist policies and democrats WILL win….and America will lose.
dthorny on October 26, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Nailed it. We have to pick and choose our battles, and here is one we can fight and win. We might not be able to pick off all the RINOs, but do we have to tolerate a LIBERAL running as a Republican? Heck no!
Laura in Maryland on October 26, 2009 at 11:34 PM
If Hoffman can win that is good (which I don’t know yet). Do I prefer Hoffman to Dede? Yes. However, I don’t want it to be standard practice of conservatives challenge moderates in areas they can’t win.
terryannonline on October 26, 2009 at 11:35 PM
I’m sickened by both partys. I’m tired of choosing between a douche and a turd sandwich every election day. If the third party candidate is a real conservative I’ll vote for him.
MCGIRV on October 26, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I will disagree with Beck slightly. You have to take each case individually.
Connie on October 26, 2009 at 11:45 PM
That’s a rational stance, but even though I’ve argued for Scozzafava, I don’t know what the politics of NY-23 are like. Perhaps, they are like Idaho-1 and Hoffman should win. I doubt it, but if NY-23 is inhabited by the far right, then Hoffman should win. It’s the corollary of your stance.
thuja on October 26, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Come on Allah, you’re better than that.
Maxpower on October 26, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I would think if you can turn out voters at Fort Drum, you could really help the cause. Most folks we talk to in the military are as tired as we are of liberals and RINO’s.
Christian Conservative on October 27, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Wow, so much of that is still so relevant today, thanks for posting that.
Dollayo on October 27, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Again, you persist in contending that Scozzafava is a moderate. Where is your evidence for that belief?
Jimmie Bise, Jr on October 27, 2009 at 12:10 AM
terryann, the NY-23 has nothing to do with conservatives vs. moderate and everything to do with the party doing whatever the heck it thinks it has to do to win a seat. I think I’ve asked enough questions to throw into serious doubt the efficacy of that strategy.
A party that goes all-in on someone who voluntarily sides with ACORN is not a party that I want any part of. Believe me, there are lots and lots of people like me, as well. If you don’t want us, then fine. Do us the decency of telling us so and we’ll go do our own thing and cry no tears over it. All I’m asking is that you don’t BS us with pretty words about all the marvelous things you will do if only we give you all the “moderates” you want, because it won’t be happening. It can’t happen.
Jimmie Bise, Jr on October 27, 2009 at 12:16 AM
In fact, conservatives kick no one out of the tent. We just ask that you respect our opinions and not ask us to change them. Unfortunately, people like Gingrich are asking us to change them – which means not being conservative anymore. $crew that.
Connie on October 27, 2009 at 12:27 AM
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