Posted on 10/23/2009 4:15:29 PM PDT by ellery
Continuing his rounds on the national political talk circuit, Gov. Tim Pawlenty this morning gingerly stepped into an upstate New York congressional race that has been splitting the Republican Party.
The special election in the state's 23rd Congressional District has become a flashpoint for the GOP, with national figures lining up behind the endorsed Republican candidate and the Conservative Party's standard-bearer. No less a party heavyweight than former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has endorsed Doug Hoffman, the conservative, while more moderate voices in the party, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich have backed the GOP's Dede Scozzafava.
Appearing today on the daily webcast streamed by ABC News, Pawlenty was asked about hte race. He replied that he will "probably" make an endorsement in the race, but didn't sound like he's exactly enthusiastic about his party's nominee.
He elaborated: "As a conservative, I'm concerned about some of the alleged issue positions that she holds. I want to be fair to both candidates and look at their records. But there are some things that I've been told that, you know, she holds dear, that may not be consistent with conservative principles."
Beyond burnishing his conservative bona fides, Pawlenty said he's been "working my can off" on behalf of the Republican Governors Association, of which he is vice chair. He also chided congressional Democrats for "thrashing around" on health care and ripped President Obama's Afghanistan policy review: "He seems to be indecisive and that's troubling."
Meanwhile, the Pawlenty-for-president speculation got a new boost today, when the Washington Post's political blog, The Fix, named him the second-most influential Republican in the country.
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(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Well yeah, sure, O’Mitt, Life Long Hunter, Dashing Millionaire Bid-ness-man, he...ah...this...little...well, um, ...he’s working on Big, B.I.G., bigbigbig..um..Things.
Top secret. Hush hush. Oh, and a book. Yeah that’s it. Anyways, Mitt has learned. NO more Mr. Fli...p.. No No. Rock steady. Like a Rock. Rock on....
I'd pretty much be willing to bet everything I own or ever will own, that this is the first time that the Minneapolis "Red" Star Tribune called Newt a "moderate voice".
It's rather amazing how the biased press changes its treatment of someone after they come around to doing what's best for liberal Democrats.
It is a knee slapper!
If we consider the WaPo source it all makes sense, they want to push forth that which is worst for Republicans and Conservatives.
NOW she's a heavyweight? The Minneapolis Star and Tribune?
I'm quite sure she was a washed up has been according to them not even a month ago.
Ha, great point!!
Kind of like you when it comes to the global warming hoax and socialized medicine, huh Tim? Kind of like the dope you supported for president last year, now that I think about it.
“Fracturing? A little late isn’t he. The fracture happened with the Senates “Gang of 14”
Got that right!. It continued to fracture with open borders, Dubia Ports deal and Harriet Myers.
Kind of makes in official. Newt is NO LONGER to be considered a conservative.
Excellent assist from the liberal media.
Yes, it is. I still think a Conservative victory is actually possible here. We should be playing for the win. If that doesn’t happen, having a conservative that beats the libeRal DIABLO candidate that the R’s are running would send a strong message.
mrsixpack36 wrote:
This is a perfect chance to teach the GOP a lesson. Why not let the dem win? It is only one seat and maybe the GOP will get the message. Conservatives will win the seat back next year anyway.
I would be surprised if Pawlenty made an endorsement in this race. I am sure he is being pressured by the Republican leadership to endorse Scozzafava, but it sounds like he won’t do that. Endorsing Hoffman is a very risky move for someone who is an elected Republican official. I don’t see Pawlenty taking that risk.
Really, these endorsements are getting silly. Hoffman needs to be focusing in his district. An endorsement from John McHugh (the congressman this district elected last year) is the only one he should be pursuing actively. These others might help with grass roots fundraising from all over the country, but I doubt they have too much effect in the district itself.
Has everyone seen this: “The Most Important Number in Politics Today.”
Doug Hoffman is the Conservative alternative in this race (or Hoffman by PayPal).
Markos Moulitsas, founder of The Daily Kos has endorsed Scozzafava. Dede Scozzafava has also been endorsed by NYSUT, the largest labor union in New York, and an affiliate of the National Education Association.
Scozzafava also holds these positions:
Scozzafava has also run in past elections on the Working Families Party (a progressive party associated with ACORN) line on the ballot.
This lady isn’t a RINO, she is a big “R” libeRal democRat. Mark Steyn has coined the term DIABLO for her and others like her. Democrat In All But Label Only.
There are also at least 17 unprincipled DIABLO enablers in the house who have donated funds or otherwise supported to this LibeRal democRat's DIABLO’s campaign. They include Boehner, Cantor, Sessions, Hensarling, Brown-Waite and McCotter. I don’t have a full list, but I will be looking for it. These unprincipled enablers should be targeted for elimination in the primaries next year.
Also, perhaps those of us who donated to the RNC or RCCC should ask for our money back so we can support the conservative candidates of our choice.
| From the desk of cc2k: |
I support Doug Hoffman for Congress (PayPal). Please, spread the word about this important election on November 3, 2009 in New York’s 23rd congressional district. |
Thanks for the ping. If you’ve started a list, please make sure I’m on it. I really think we can win this one and slap the GOP back into the real world.
Newt just wants to be loved so badly by the SRM, it’s pathetic.
If Pawlenty’s torn about who to support in this race, he’s not anyone I would support for a national office.
The choice is clear: Hoffman.
I don’t do pinglists. What you have seen a lot from me is my "FReply all" button (my own invention). If you post on a Hoffman thread that I haven’t been to yet, you will most likely get my reply when I get there. I tend to put eveyone in the "To:" on my first reply to ping anyone who has posted on that thread to my response(s). Always check the links in my sig, or in the info that I post on my first reply to a thread. That usually has the latest threads on it.
panaxanax wrote:
Thanks for the ping. If you’ve started a list, please make sure I’m on it. I really think we can win this one and slap the GOP back into the real world.
| From the desk of cc2k: |
I support Doug Hoffman for Congress (PayPal). Please, spread the word about this important election on November 3, 2009 in New York’s 23rd congressional district. |
You’re doing a hell of a good job.
Thanks.....panax
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