Open thread: NY-23; Update: Fox News calls it for Owens; Update: Hoffman concedes
posted at 8:52 pm on November 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Here we go. Could be a 10-point win for Owens, could be a 10-point win for Hoffman. InTrade is betting heavily on the conservative.
The Watertown Daily Times will be updating as results come in, but you’re advised to check Newzjunky too. They’ve been all over the Hoffman saga since day one.
I don’t want to raise expectations too much, but if DH pulls this off and Christie squeaks through in New Jersey, we’re getting a humpbot cameo tonight. For the first time in a long, long time.
Update: The WDT results page is loading slowly. Try this one instead.
Update: Results are coming in very slowly but apparently exit polls had Hoffman by three, 50/47.
Update: With more than 10 percent of the vote in, Hoffman’s … down by seven. According to Marc Ambinder, Republicans in the district are very nervous. We’re not actually going to get a Christie upset and a Hoffman defeat, are we?
Update: Gingrich is writing his jeremiad about third-party challenges as we speak. From Dave Weigel:
WHOA – Hoffman splitting Madison County, where he was leading 2-1 in Siena Poll. Getting ready to say “Congressman Bill Owens.”
Update: A much-needed shot of hope from Erick Erickson: “Just talked to ppl close to Hoffman. They think he’s won. Owens votes in. Their sampling tracks with what we’re seeing.”
Update: At least one Hoffman supporter thinks it’s over.
Update: Hope and change — Hoffman narrowing the gap?
The Plattsburgh attorney has 57,050 votes compared to Conservative Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid CPA, with 54,538 votes…
There are more than 10,000 absentee votes to still be counted…
Owens is maintaining a 48 percent to 46 percent lead.
Update: Chuck Todd notes that there may not be a call in this race tonight given that the absentee ballots won’t be counted until tomorrow. Fair enough, but if Hoffman’s still behind by three or four thousand votes at evening’s end, how likely is it that he’s going to make up the difference by winning 75 percent of those ballots?
Update: FNC has called it for the Democrat. Points to take away from the loss: (1) PPP’s last poll was way, waaaay off; (2) Scozzafava’s endorsement must have had some impact on her supporters, as it erased the five-point lead Hoffman held in the last Siena poll after she dropped out; (3) third-party challenges, while sometimes warranted, are a very risky proposition (attention Glenn Beck!); (4) the win in New Jersey, where The One staked his own political capital in campaigning for Corzine, was huge compared to the loss here; and (5) as I said over the weekend, the actual result of this race is unimportant. The point in torpedoing Scozzafava and swinging the GOP behind Hoffman was to send a message to the Republican leadership that only fiscal conservatives will be tolerated henceforth, and that message has been sent even with Owens winning a squeaker. The loss is disappointing but it’s a detail on an otherwise great night.
So great, in fact, that it deserves something special. This special.
Update: He’s not going to make up the difference in absentees, especially since many of them were sent in when Scozzafava was still in the race. So the time has come.
Blowback
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Are you trying out for a job with Xerox, or have you run out of crap to say?
Erich66 on November 4, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Yep, and the Cuda had nothing to do with that.
Newt is the one responsible for that.
Newt is finished.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Wingnuts, we don’t fear her. We find her amusing.
Unfortunately, moron like her means Obama will get elected again in 2012, and take this country to ruin. So yes, we are unable to enjoy the joke for long.
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Oh. I lived in Pearland for about 8 years.
NathanG on November 4, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Maybe Mitt Romney was smart enough not to endorse Hoffman. I don’t think Romney was convinced that Hoffman was going to win and therefore it wasn’t worth endorsing him but to focus on providing support to Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie.
It was a very good night for conservatives. And hopefully the GOP establishment gets the message that was sent to them.
But I think it remains seen whether or not the tea party conservatives will have enough clout to win elections in 2010. We’ll just have to wait and see on that.
As for the humpbot…that was hilarious! Certainly a good way to celebrate.
Conservative Samizdat on November 4, 2009 at 1:04 AM
We all want to know how long have you been beleaguered?
Americannodash on November 4, 2009 at 1:04 AM
I like Hoffman but he did not strike me as a great candidate. When he was interviewed on Fox by sympathetic people, he would sometimes give very short or one word answers. You wanted to say “and …?”. Also, I asked my mother, who is kind of an everyvoter type, and she said “he looks weak”. Again, nothing wrong with any of this, but he was an inexperienced person before the camera. And lots of voters are kind of shallow. Maybe he can acquire the polish necessary to win in 2010, I don’t know. But it seems to me that one of the “lessons” for 2010 for conservatives is that while holding the right positions, a candidate must also have presence and the ability to speak and project him/her self. It was not an issue in this race because there was no primary, and Hoffman was all we had.
chris999 on November 4, 2009 at 1:05 AM
That was a an error, dude. And what is your problem if a woman wants to do something to her own body. Who the hell are you to dictate her choices? Freedom, baby?
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Can’t be repeated enough.
JohnGalt23 on November 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Too bad, the nation could use another ‘Silent Cal’.
Fighton03 on November 4, 2009 at 1:07 AM
Don’t use big words with the trolls. They’re even worse when they’re frustrated.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:07 AM
He was. Here’s the thing; To win any elections you need compromises. As a social liberal, I find some of the crazy Christians from the South intolerable–the kinds who lecture on Jesus before boinking in Argentina. But I live with them because…okay..the alternative is worse. But for our “true conservatives”, fiscal and social conservatism go together. That is not salable in most of this country except the Deep South. We like our freedom but not just of our wallets.
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:09 AM
It’s touching to see the trolls trying so hard.
Thanks, Doug, for a good, clean run. Scozza can enjoy her new status as Obama asslicker… one of the minions. She must be so proud.
evergreen on November 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
I’m confused. You’re a rightist liberal who hates Palin and Obama. So you’re neither right nor liberal. Do you have any idea who the hell you are?
Erich66 on November 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Politics is the art of the possible.
This is a political BATTLE here and that means not charging the enemy machine gun nest every five minutes. Sometimes you need to use your damn brain. If we had left a republican in there sure she would have voted a pretty straight democrat ticket… but that’s unavoidable. I hope you see that now. That was going to happen.
What you lost by sinking the admittedly very moderate republican is a vote for the speaker of the house. She might have voted for all the obama stuff but she would have voted against Pelosi’s control of the house.
Do the math.
Complaining about her voting record is pointless. That’s a zero sum game. Her district apparently wants that stuff. We gave up a vote for control of the house FOR NOTHING.
Good work.
Seriously, start thinking strategically here people or you’re just going to get outmaneuvered like a bunch of rubes.
Karmashock on November 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
gary4205 on November 4, 2009 at 12:58 AM
quoting our esteemed future President
I say – words for warriors
seesalrun on November 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
It’s kind of a straw man, though. Scozz never would have made it through a primary in NY-23. There’s no reason to take away from this that there will be a wave of third party challenges in 2010.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Just shows we got to hunt done and demolish the RINOs in the primary. ANd there’s no limit on the number of RINOs bagged in one season.
michaelo on November 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
“Nice handle. Unfortunately, reminds me that all the good Korean spots are out in the ‘burbs just when I’m getting hungry.”
Um, ok.
“However you want to cut up NY 23, the fact is that intramural Republican sniping turned a red seat blue. You may have a theory that the sleeping giant Republican base is awakening, but I have the fact that they lost. (Aside: given that Dede was a liberal in disguise and that Owen’s is a liberal by party alleagiance, does that mean that NY-23 has actuually become a liberal district under the Obama Administration? That’s great news!)”
What Republican sniping? They ditched a RINO and voted in mass for a no name third party candidate. Hoffman undoubtedly garnered a lot of libertarian and indpendent votes, unless you believe all of the 45% of his votes came from right wingers.
The liberals barely survived a challenge from a relatively obscure (recently converted) third pary candidate in a blue state, even if the district or where ever was red. Meanwhile the GOP won two governors race. Party hearty, dude.
“The Conservative movement is, at this point, more heat than light. Not that they’re not worth keeping an eye on (like that dog with the foam bubbling around his snout), but they haven’t done much yet. So, yeah, bring on the “vibrant conservative movement.”
Yes, this is just a first step for conservatives at the moment. But “conservative movement” for you probably means just a bunch of angry republicans rising to oppose Obama. Again, you libs HAVE to accept that the tea party movement (and this election result) is an accurate reflection of public’s sentiment in general. Most Americans don’t buy that the stimulus package is working wonders for the economy, and they’re not thrilled that two administrations bailed out mega corporations.
Belive you me, I don’t want the GOP to return to power without learning their lessons.
Mad Kimchi on November 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
I agree. But we’re in the age of television. And youtube.
chris999 on November 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Conservative Samizdat on November 4, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Mitt didn’t endorse not because he has a crystal ball…its because he wants to remain in the good graces of the power brokers. Right now he is the Republican son, and he doesn’t want to upset the apple cart. Problem is, its his mistake. The one thing that Mitt has with the base is people aren’t convinced he does things out of principle…but because its calculated to give him more political power. I will vote for Mitt if he wins the primaries…because I fear Obama more, but I hope he loses the primaries.
If he endorsed Hoffman and distanced himself from Romney care, then he would have my vote in the primary.
Conservative Voice on November 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Owens couldn’t even muster a majority. He won on a plurality of the vote. Pathetic showing by the liberal Democrat if you ask me.
TexasDude on November 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Now that puts the mind to rest and commons the nerves a little.
To the numbnut trolls if/when Sarah runs HER own campaign it is a different story. ex. McDonnell Gov. Elect VA. all positive.
Clyde5445 on November 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM
A little more optimistic view…tonight was a wholesale sweep by conservatives: we took the NJ and VA executive leadership, and we kept that fraud Dede from winning. The price was Owens, but the message was much bigger than the NY result would indicate. A football analogy – we scored two TDs, and allowed only a FG while playing defense. So, we won 14-3. Good game team!
NumberTwo on November 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM
What in the living hell are you babbling about now? You are probably the most confused person alive right now (a rightist liberal who is neither right nor liberal…wtf??). Who brought up abortion or whatever you are attempting to talk about?
Erich66 on November 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
After stunning Republican wins in VA & NJ, it’s a good thing that Hoffman did not win NY-23. Had he won, Democrats might have actually taken notice and made some strategic changes in anticipation of 2010. As it is, Dems can now smugly settle into their fantasy that all conservatives are wing nuts who can’t possibly win. And in 2010 they’ll be blindsided to a degree that’s never been seen before.
texasentrepreneur on November 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
I think he’s sharing it to build traction, so that in a year he can say “Remember 11-3-09? We got back to basics and won huge” without a wall of flak.
Chris_Balsz on November 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
You are a troll, you are the definition of a moron.
Blake on November 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Republicans also took the PA state judiciary.
progressoverpeace on November 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Guys, a Democrat got that Congressional seat tonight. But it might well turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory, in the long term.
You see, there is one little word Democrats in NY won’t do well to count on: Census.
The Census will be commenced next year, and you can be sure that the numbers for Upstate NY are going to diminish significantly after the counting is done. Again, New Yorkers are voting with their luggage and moving to friendlier climates.
And then, that seat won by the Democrat might well be lost because of reapportionment – not enough people for it to count as a district. However, the numbers are better for a new Congressional seat in a state with population gains… such as Texas.
Yee-Haw! :-)
newton on November 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Lesson learned. The GOP cannot pick a candidate that is as liberal as Dede. She was not a fiscal conservative. That cost her, she would have never won.
Second lesson, you cannot win an election in two weeks. The Republican vote was definitely split.
The media has been trying for days to say that the GOP has kicked out the moderates, but that just is not true. Christie won. The GOP grassroots are kicking out the Democrats from their party. Dede=Democrat.
kcarpenter on November 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
uknowmorethanme on November 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Eh, got lazy and didn’t finish…you get the point though. Barack Obama = Fail.
uknowmorethanme on November 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
texasentrepreneur on November 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
love it agree 2x 200%
seesalrun on November 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
I’ll try. It’s the old lesser of two evils argument. Is it better to have a member of Congress who votes with Republicans 50% of the time, or someone who votes against Republicans 80% of the time? In most cases, I swallow hard and vote for the lesser of two evils.
However, this also raises the big versus little tent problem. I believe the only way Republicans can win nationally is by putting together a conservative led coalition like Reagan had. This means we advocate for conservative issues, support conservative candidates, but don’t try to kick out of the party the elected Republicans or their voters with whom we disagree at least a certain percentage of the time and at least on certain key issues.
The disagreement we are having internally is over what that percentage should be and which those key issues should be. This will require a lot of talking.
To me, Dede was unelected and didn’t meet my criteria regarding fiscal, union, and abortion issues, so I would not support her or vote for her. However, when voters elect a Republican with whom I have many important disagreements, I accept the voters’ choice. For me, it’s far easier to apply litmus tests for who is and who is not an acceptable member of the party to candidates who have not been elected to the positions they are seeking. It’s a bit of a cop out, I admit, but this is how I am attempting to have a big tent, inclusive party, that is still led and dominated by real conservatives.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
I agree. Hoffman likely is a nice guy with good intentions, and strong values. The problem for me (I live in upstate NY) was his inability to engage his audience and advance an articulate agenda. Despite his political and rhetorical inexperience, he did manage to win a respectable number of votes, and for that effort, he’s quite remarkable.
anXdem on November 4, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Maybe next time republicans in NY will have a primary where republicans can battle for the nomination and then hopefully become united against the dem. The real questions: Is it better to have a RINO or a Dem? (yes, there is a difference, more for some RINOs than others). Is it better to have a republican majority with RINOs or a Dem majority with blue dogs? How about at a time when dems have a veto proof congress and the presidentcy with no checks and balances? Was Newt right??
I wanted Hoffman, I’m disapointed the RINOs won this one and I have a feeling that they are never going to let us forget it.
Dollayo on November 4, 2009 at 1:16 AM
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Not to turn this into a pro life thread, but I am pro-choice…I just figure the choice was made when the pants came off. And in those instances where it was rape or incest…then get cleaned out and take the morning after pill. Her rights to her body getting fat ends when it effects someone else’s right to live. Adoption is a wonderful thing if she feels she can’t raise the kid.
Conservative Voice on November 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
For every commenter on HA, there are a hundred readers who are either not registered, or who are content to lurk for their own reasons…and who agree with the “batshit” “crazy” “wingnuts” who post here…and have millions and millions of friends who still believe in the shining city on a hill.
A bunch of them voted tonight, and we acknowledge them. Leeches that voted for the democrats, well, what can we say?
Pucker up, parasites.
RushBaby on November 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
If you want to win, don’t invite Palin, Fred, Hannity and that whole crew unless you are in the reddest of states.
That’s what it looks like anyway. They appear to have scared the indies off in 23.
Moesart on November 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
The trolls are not what’s irritating, what’s irritating is those who reply to them. Trolls don’t troll where no one replies. Its so annoying when a perfectly good discussion gets derailed by what sounds like kids in a sandbox bickering back and forth. Can’t mature adults exercise some self-control?
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
What’s that got to do with killing the unborn? Scott Peterson is on death row for TWO counts of first-degree murder. Does that offend you?
Chris_Balsz on November 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Not sure exactly what a ‘wingnut’ is besides some type of derogatory insult. Of course libs are scared of Obama. During the 08 campaign, they were terrified of her. It’s one reason the media went into napalm mode.
People like you are the reason we’re in the mess we’re in. You have no real principles or values, end up straddling the middle of the road, and are then surprised when millions of people reject your candidate(McCain) for somebody that at least stands for something.
Hoffman lost today, but I’d rather have him run as my rep and lose than have Dede run as my rep and win. Dede and Owens were two sides of the same coin, and they collaborated together to get Owens the victory here. The Hoffman defeat can be laid at the feet of the Republican Party establishment that decided to anoint Dede as the nominee. THEY are the ones to blame, not Hoffman who would be the winner now if not for that mindblowingly stupid move.
Sixth Guard on November 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Thanks for your kind words. Now, keep on fighting for what you believe.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
:lol Palin just says a few words and almost beats
a Lib in a blue state…. With a unknown guy…
Hoffman in his next election maybe a bigger Conservative
force than anyone can possibly imagine.
Plus Palin had just exposed a stealth RINO in the process,
with exposing the fake Republican who betrayed her own party..:lol
dec5 on November 4, 2009 at 1:20 AM
Hoffman did not turn a red seat blue, morons. If Hoffman had not run, it would have been either blue or blue: a liberal pretending to be a Republican or a Democrat who’ll need to be red enough to keep a relatively conservative district happy. Personally, I’d rather have an honest Democrat than a turncoat RINO.
evergreen on November 4, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Remember that people, The One actually LOST a campaign….
BBBBWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…..!!!
Seven Percent Solution on November 4, 2009 at 1:22 AM
Agreed.
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:23 AM
I think Dede would never have beat Owens in a two way race. Conservatives would have stayed home to protest, giving it to Owens. Does anyone doubt this? With her acorn and big labor connections?
chris999 on November 4, 2009 at 1:25 AM
The RNC can take it’s “moderate” candidates and stuff ‘em!
GarandFan on November 4, 2009 at 1:25 AM
Or maybe we shouldn’t run candidates that have names starting with H, if you’re looking for another random correlation to pull out of thin air.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Oh yeah, Hannity, Rush,Levin, Sarah Palin, ect. are not to be listened to or you will lose like NY 23. Right…… You forget that these “un-clean” people also were going all out for Christie, and McDonnel.I guess their support for them doesn’t count…..
sandee on November 4, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Owens is going to be harmless. It is almost time to start campaigning for 2010. By the time he gets oriented in Washington, he will be back in NY campaigning again. Nothing much gets done in an election year because the entire House is busy campaigning for most of the year.
Hoffman may or may not be back next year. The net gain was exposing Scozzafava for what she is. With hundreds of races going on, people aren’t going to remember NY-23 next year.
crosspatch on November 4, 2009 at 1:28 AM
A third party candidate just destroyed the Republican picked DIABLO and almost won the election.
The main point of supporting Hoffman was to send a message to the party elites that the habit pushing democrat leaning Republicans in areas where they aren’t required or wanted is over! The all moderate, everywhere era is finished!
Message sent!!
kagai on November 4, 2009 at 1:28 AM
Yes: fiscal conservative, and social liberal. I don’t want the government to tell me what to do but I don’t God to tell me either. Or those who speak for him.
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:28 AM
You’re exactly right. I realize, however, that some dyed-in-the-wool conservatives disagree with this premise.
Dede was a ridiculous RINO, and as such, should never have been selected by the party. Still, there are other conservatives who may not match the purely conservative MO, but who may make excellent candidates and legislators. To win in 2010 and 2012, the bigger the tent the better.
anXdem on November 4, 2009 at 1:28 AM
All moderate? Which moderates are you talking about?
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:29 AM
I want Obama on TV every day. The more, the better.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:29 AM
I think Newt gets a bad rap, he just found himself stuck in the middle of a perfect storm. And I’ve gotta admit, considering the deed has been done in terms of showing the GOP that we have a better memory of our principles than they do, I’m kind of glad that Hoffman isn’t a congressman. I’d much prefer Owens either having to tack far right or get his clock cleaned by a serious conservative candidate in a year.
What’s important about this hasn’t changed. This was never about Hoffman or NY-23. This is about weak ass elites who are so concerned with the superficial aspects of winning elections that they hollowed out the core of the Republican Party. This is about the core rising up against them, clearing the debris of the old guard so the party can be rebuilt. If the message wasn’t received after tonight, it will be.
galenrox on November 4, 2009 at 1:30 AM
Yikes.
misslizzi on November 4, 2009 at 1:31 AM
Amen to that. And Virginia just shoed that. The guy never talked about social issues at all focusing on the economy and jobs.
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:31 AM
And why is that? Some people don’t like to be controlled: either by God or the government.
I cruse the government every time I buy something for the taxes. And I curse those who speak for God everytime I want to buy alcohol on Sunday mornings.
rightistliberal on November 4, 2009 at 1:33 AM
I see CNN went with a Christie photo and “A Big Night for the GOP” joke.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:34 AM
“Sarah is the ONLY fiscal conservative on the horizon for 2012. There may be others, but her track record is as a solid fiscon. She killed the bridge to nowhere, and reduced government spending as governor.
She comes out of this as the ONLY GOP national politician towards 2012 that kept her word to support conservative candidates that match her values.
She once again walked the talk.”
Did she really kill that program? I haven’t heard about that.
She’s a solid candidate, but I don’t see her beating Obama in a presidential race. Her abrupt resignation certainly didn’t help her cause. She tries too hard to appear as the “everyday woman” IMO, which was evident in the VP debate.
I don’t want smiles and “main street is neat!” sentiments in 2012. I want someone who can come out swinging. It was painful to watch Obama run his mouth about the evils of deregulation and the virtue of “Sharing the wealth” in 08 while Palin and Mccain failed to come up with an effective rebuttal – probably because they were afraid of coming off as sympathetic to Wall street and corporate America.
Mad Kimchi on November 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Damn you Scozzafava voters.
FontanaConservative on November 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Replying to trolls says more about the person replying than it does to the troll. Trolls are at best immature and at worst mentally unstable. Why would anyone want to contribute to that? They’re to be truly pitied but not responded to.
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Right now, I’m seeing 26 to 36 Republican gains in the House and 5 to 6 in the Senate. We need 42 to take back the House, and more for comfort. But Obama hasn’t started campaigning for Democrats around the country yet. More seats will become competitive or lean Republican once Barry starts performing.
And even your projection of a 4 to 5 seat gain in the Senate is enough for us to sustain a filibuster.
Finally, we have two new Governors to help us get out the vote in important states.
So, things are looking up for conservatives and down for liberals. Awwwwwwww.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:36 AM
RECOUNT!
Come on. You know the Dems would be demanding one by now if the tables were turned.
Sharke on November 4, 2009 at 1:37 AM
Damn you Scozzafava voters.FontanaConservative on November 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
O.K. maybe it was before she dropped out, but still.
FontanaConservative on November 4, 2009 at 1:38 AM
Allahpundit subtitled this post “the big one” and it was. The NY-23 election in particular, just like the grassroots movement surrounding it, was in no small part about taking stands based on principles instead of politics as usual.
For that reason, Fred Thompson and Sarah Palin are not losers and will get credit for fighting the good fight, no matter how much their opponents may spin it. They advanced the conservative cause, eliminating the most liberal of the three candidates from the race who was a Republican in registration only.
This election meant more than we fully understand to the conservative base. It brought independents back to the Republican Party. It convinced Jim DeMint to support Chuck DeVore against Barbara Boxer. The losers will be those who supported the compromise candidate, Scozzafava, or played politics as usual with their endorsement, including Huckabee and Romney. They blinked.
Terrie on November 4, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Just breaking that filibuster-proof majority would be enough to stop a lot of things.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Heh. The libs are counting on their fingers trying to figure out if their “progressive revolution transforming America” will last a whole of 2 years. How cute!
evergreen on November 4, 2009 at 1:40 AM
Well said.
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Well, conservatives fired one across the GOP bow. They need to take notice. You’ve got people pledging not to give money to the GOP general fund.
I’d say though, before I’d trust them again they need to totally clean house of all the milquetoast media-placators within the RNC. Although I think the voters should take care of the media-spooked candidates.
Axeman on November 4, 2009 at 1:42 AM
I wonder if Palin would have been embraced with open arms and asked to campaign in Ny23 if 2001 votes would have swung towards the conservative away form the GOp ticket.
hmmm. Nothing like keeping someone at arms length…..
unseen on November 4, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Americannodash wasn’t using big words. He was just saying that Norman Blizter is in the Troll B League, but he misspelled it.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Just breaking that filibuster-proof majority would be enough to stop a lot of things.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 1:39 AM
I think the results tonight are enough for the dems to back down some. No more rahm thru’s in the middle of the night. I think
unseen on November 4, 2009 at 1:43 AM
I take your point.
misslizzi on November 4, 2009 at 1:43 AM
We have much more bloodletting to do. RINO blood.
platypus on November 4, 2009 at 1:45 AM
I’m inclided to agree with you, particularly in this case. That woman was so liberal she hardly even qualifed as a RINO. This seat has been republican since the 1800s, it was worth it to go for a conservative in this case.
Republicans blew this one, spending all that money against the person they ended up endorcing in the end. This is why you have primaries people!! He only lost by 4%. That money could have made the difference.
Dollayo on November 4, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Though I value your words, I respectfully disagree. At least with a democrap, you know where the knife is–it’s in plain sight. With a democrap lite, like Dede, you would always wonder when she would turn on you. We need only to pick our battles carefully.
This was NOT a call for a 3rd party, though some may wish it to be. It was a foot in the door, when the repulican hacks wanted to shut us out. We have pried open that door, and taken our place at the table.
I will still NEVER give another cent to the RNC, only to deserving candidates.
Question, can you truly say that Rubio should not be allowed as opposition to Crist? That a person that supports the stimulus and kisses up to Obama is a better candidate? That we should throw our principles to the wind?
How else can we get the point across to the republican establishment? If we keep on carrying the banner, albeit, half-heartedly–what is the point?
It may turn out the way of the bullfight, with the “R” candidate stabbing us with the sward he/she had hidden in the banner….
lovingmyUSA on November 4, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Thanks again, sarah!
benny shakar on November 4, 2009 at 1:47 AM
Congratulations to the new Governors-Elect of Virginia and New Jersey! I’d also like to offer a special word of support to the new Lieutenant Governor-Elect of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno, the first woman to hold that office.
Of course, the real victors in this election are the ordinary men and women who voted for positive change and a return to fiscal sanity. Your voices have been heard.
The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.
To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976:
“The cause goes on. Don’t get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.”
The cause goes on.
- Sarah Palin
she never gives up. Just pivots and starts a new attack. god this woman is tough.
unseen on November 4, 2009 at 1:47 AM
+++
lovingmyUSA on November 4, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Staggering intellect and self-righteousness. Internet anonymity be damned, you just made it credible with your gravitas.
daesleeper on November 4, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Your gratitude is misplaced. Thank the NY state party bosses who chose Schozzo. Schozzo vs. Owens, Owens wins cause we righties stay home.
chris999 on November 4, 2009 at 1:50 AM
A task I look forward to with great pleasure.
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:51 AM
A+
beachgirlusa on November 4, 2009 at 1:53 AM
These fights need to be made at the primary level, without party insiders trying to fix the game. Let the people decide- the Republican people, please (closed primaries!!!)- or the natives are going to be restless.
If Hoffman’s loss makes the Democrats complacent and wakes the RNC up, it will be worth it.
I for one am going to a) step up my pressure on the idiots in Congress, but b) dial back my agitating among family and friends. No more Tea Party protests for me. Time to let the Democrats sit back a little, and tear each other apart over the one thing they suck at most: Governing.
evergreen on November 4, 2009 at 1:54 AM
A solid showing by a very weak candidate. I didn’t want to say so before the election – but I watched Hoffman do an appearance reading off a teleprompter and it was tragic.
Still, he was better than Scuzzyfava by a wide margin. The GOP misread the public and lost a seat. I hope they learn from that lesson.
Mr Purple on November 4, 2009 at 1:54 AM
The NY state party bosses managed to hold that seat since for the past 100 years or so — until tonight. Just sayin’.
Thanks, sarah!
benny shakar on November 4, 2009 at 1:56 AM
I’m thinking the Republican “bench” must be really thin in NY state. They also ran a worthless hack who lost a winnable race in a downstate district by a razor thin margin a few weeks after the Nov. 2008 election.
chris999 on November 4, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Two of my principles include being as inclusive as I can be to others with whom I disagree, and that compromise is often a worthy thing to do, as long as it doesn’t violate my other principles.
I often like people with whom I disagree about religion, politics and many other things. I often learn from them, sometimes how not to do something, but sometimes a different and better way of looking at things.
I don’t like uniformity, especially enforced uniformity, when it comes to people. To me, that is another important American principle that I want to advance, including in the Republican Party.
Of course, I also have my limits. And Dede was far beyond them. So, we agree on this case.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 1:58 AM
The end of the big headline story on foxnews.com.
Oh brother.
silverfox on November 4, 2009 at 1:59 AM
That’s only because she’s too scatterbrained to remember she had just started a different new attack five minutes ago.
My prediction: if she wins in the primary in 2012, she’ll drop out of the race in September to run for Miss America. My second prediction: when she does that, her worshipers will talk about how shrewd a move it was.
hicsuget on November 4, 2009 at 1:59 AM
Its a shame that dirtbag Obama didn’t go up and campaign for Owens cause it would have destroyed his chances like it did for Deeds and Corzine.
elduende on November 4, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Good try at humor. You’ll get ‘em next time, champ.
rightheaded on November 4, 2009 at 2:03 AM
Unless you’re talking about sheep sex with Simplesimon. Teeeeeeheeeeeeeee! Just had to say it.
NathanG on November 4, 2009 at 2:03 AM
Who held the seat in 1990?
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 2:03 AM
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