The New York 23 Race - Fred Thompson vs. Michael Steele

Jawa Report ^ | 10/19/2009 | Ragnar Danneskjold

[iowamark]

RedState, Michelle Malkin and many others have been doing outstanding work covering the race in New York's 23rd Congressional District.

If you haven't been following it, the race in NY-23 has Fred Thompson, Club for Growth and Bill Kristol on one side, Newt Gingrich, Daily Kos and Michael Steele on another side, and Bill Clinton and Barack Obama on yet another side.

In short, it's a free-for-all.

Much like the earlier Toomey v. Specter fight in Pennsylvania and the ongoing Crist v. Rubio fight in Florida, the fight in New York 23 represents another hard-fought battle for the soul of the Republican Party.

For those of you still on the fence about which candidate to support in the NY-23 race, I've prepared some helpful info below the fold.

On the other hand, in a fight between Michael Steele's team and Fred Thompson's team, is this really a tough call?

DEDE SCOZZAFAVA

Website : http://www.dedeforcongress.com/

Prior public office experience : since 1998

Profession : COO for Seaway Capital Partner and Corporate Secretary for Wise Buy Stores

Education : Scozzafava holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Boston University School of Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the Clarkson Graduate School of Management.

Positions:

For the Obama stimulus For card check / Against secret ballot in union elections Does not support 'no pork' pledge Signed no tax pledge October 15th For Cash for Clunkers Does not support school choice / vouchers Does not support teacher testing / merit pay Does not support concealed carry For same-sex marriage For expanded 'hate crimes' legislation For inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws Believes abortion should be legal in all cases For making morning-after pills available to minors without a doctor’s prescription Endorsements / Supporters: National Rifle Association New York State United Teachers Newt Gingrich Republican National Committee National Republican Congressional Committee Daily Kos (Endorsed by Working Families Party (ACORN affiliate) in prior races) Background : Scozzafava was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1998. She was a Village of Gouverneur Trustee for four years and Mayor of the Village of Gouverneur from 1993 until her election to the State Assembly. Scozzafava has been appointed to serve on the Assembly Standing Committees of Ways and Means, Ethics and Guidance, and Banks for the 2005-2006 Legislative Session, and is the Ranking Member on the Assembly's Codes Committee. Previously, she served on the Task Force on Education Standards, the Nursing Shortage Task Force, the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices, and the Task Force on Integrative Medicine and Agriculture.

Scozzafava is married to Ron McDougall, the head of the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence County Central Labor Council and a UAW member.

DOUG HOFFMAN

Website : http://doughoffmanforcongress.com/

Prior public office experience : None

Profession : Accountant and Entrepreneur

Education : Hoffman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh, an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Connecticut (1976). He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Positions:

Against the Obama stimulus Against Cash for Clunkers Against card check / FOR secret ballot in union elections Signed no tax pledge in August 2009 Signed no pork pledge For school choice Against same-sex marriage Pro-life Endorsements / Supporters: Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) Club for Growth PAC American Conservative Union The Conservative Victory Fund New York State Right to Life PAC Susan B. Anthony List Concerned Women PAC Family Research Council Action PAC Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers Background : Hoffman is a Managing Partner of Dragon Benware Crowley & Co. (www.dragonbenware.com) and oversees Hoffman Family Enterprises (www.hoffmanfamilyenterprises.com) a diverse group of companies involved in Investments, Real Estate, Construction, Hospitality and Tourism.

Hoffman served as a member of the New York State National Guard from 1970 – 1973 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973-1976. Hoffman held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the time of his discharge. Hoffman also served as Corporate Controller for the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Organizing Committee, overseeing a budget of $150 million and eventually 2,500 employees and 6000 volunteers.

Hoffman's wife Carol is a highly decorated Trooper in the New York State Police.

[iowamark]

http://doughoffmanforcongress.com/

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60541-fred-thompson-spurns-gop-special-election-nominee
“””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,” Thompson said in an e-mail from his political action committee, FredPAC. The e-mail includes a link to a page for donations to Hoffman’s campaign.””

[mosaicwolf]

I live in FL but Hoffman sure looks like any easy choice to me.

[verga]

Seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again I know I hate P1$$ing money down a RAT hole

[Venturer]

Sounds like Newt is on the wrong side-—again. Maybe he should confer with Sharpton.

[iowamark]

http://sl7.sendlabs.com/link.php?M=1222928&N=5526&L=8769&F=H
Audio clip: Fred Thompson explains his support for Doug Hoffman and his anger at leftist Republicans “You have to decide!”

[taildragger]

So tell me where Michael Steele has not been an unmitigated disaster?

Paging Haley Barbour?

Heck paging Tom Selleck for that matter or any GOP Volunteer to do his job....

[pnh102]

So tell me where Michael Steele has not been an unmitigated disaster?

From the Democrats' side of course. He's the best RNC chair the Democrats could ever want.

[EmilyGeiger]

I believe Herman Cain would do very well as RNC chair!

[muir_redwoods]

Hoffman would be my choice,he’s clearly the more conservative, I like Fred and I too got my MBA from UCONN(1982)

[muir_redwoods]

"Heck paging Tom Selleck for that matter or any GOP Volunteer to do his job...."

Hmmm, I wonder if Ted Nugent is too busy....

[netmilsmom]

>>If you haven’t been following it, the race in NY-23 has Fred Thompson, Club for Growth and Bill Kristol on one side<<

Add Mark Levin to that list.
He announced it yesterday.

[k2afe]

The tide has turned and presently Hoffman is rising rapidly. check this out at Northcountrynow.com..... k2.....

[Shery]

Newt is trying his wings for a run for Prez...but he is stupid to think that he could win. He’s gone soft and fuzzy. And I’m not comparing him to my two pet bunnies. They have a LOT more common sense than him.

[MrB]

Newt needs to be in an invisible advisory role to GOP politicians.

I’m not sure where Newt is on the “individualist vs elitist” scale, though.

[Canedawg]

On the other hand, in a fight between Michael Steele's team and Fred Thompson's team, is this really a tough call?

It's not a tough call for us, but I read somewhere that this district, which had gone repub for 100 years, tallied a majority of votes for obozo last year. That makes the outcome of this race unpredictable.

[verga]

Makes me wonder what the Heck Newt is thinking, I realize that STeele is a RINO, but Newt!
First Global warming apologist.... now this!

[Engineer_Soldier]

Go Rubio! It’s time for Charlie to be kicked to the curb.

[Marysecretary]

Well, she has more experience than obama, LOL.