Posted on 10/27/2009 7:45:09 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Gingrich calls GOP support for Hoffman a 'purge' By Jordan Fabian - 10/27/09 09:47 AM ET
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) late Monday had some choice words for Republicans supporting Conservative Party party candidate Doug Hoffman (N.Y.), accusing them of conducting a "purge" of the GOP.
Many national Republican figures, such as Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and ex-Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), have backed Hoffman over GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava in the 23rd district's special election this year. The district has been long-held by Republicans, but many conservatives have shied away from Scozzafava for her socially liberal positions and the local GOP's selection process that they say was not transparent.
Gingrich broke the mold and backed Scozzafava, saying her candidacy gave the Republicans the best shot of regaining a congressional majority. The former Speaker faced a push-back from the right after his announcement but he upped the ante on Monday.
"This idea that we're suddenly going to establish litmus tests and all across the country we're going to purge the party of anybody who doesn't agree with us 100 percent; that guarantees Obama's reelection, that guarantees Pelosi as Speaker-for-life," he told Fox News last night.
Gingrich called Scozzafava a "liberal Republican" for her support of gay marriage and abortion rights. But he defended those positions as in-step with her district and her predecessor, former Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.), who was tapped to be President Barack Obama's Army Secretary.
But he said that her endorsement from the National Rifle Association, her signing a no tax-increase pledge, and her opposition to cap-and-trade and healthcare reform legislation made her "adquately conservative in an upstate New York district."
Gingrich also attacked Hoffman for not having proper knowledge of local issues and living outside the 23rd district.
"So I say to many conservative friends who suddenly decided whether they're from Minnesota, or Alaska, or Texas, they know more than the upstate New York Republicans? I don't think so," he added.
Thanks, I had read that recently but my mind forgot where.
That's all well and good. Left out, on purpose I'm sure, is how many of those pledges were made because Hoffman was eating her lunch. This "lady" is cast in the mold of Snowe and Collins.
I'm sure she'll fit right in with the eight "Republican" traitors that voted for Cap & Tax. Yes, I've not forgotten.
I say Nutz to Newt!!!
I was stationed at Plattsburgh and lived in Watertown, and I agree.
Can't blame you these days. That's for sure.
Shut up, Newt.
Hey Newt...
Without US , there IS no GOP.
Can you hear us now?
No RINOs. Not now, not ever.
Even if, let them blame all they want, it won't stop the conservative movement. I doubt any true conservative today would look at ONE lose as defeat, in fact it will probably give another surge in our resolve to win.
Newt is a f-in moron.
I have an urge to purge!
I see he has hit on the Ozero tactic of the straw man.
CONTROL THE LOCAL AND YOU CONTROL THE NATIONAL.
folks NOW, RIGHT NOW, is the time to put in your names for your local party leadership and block captain.
NOW because the national is pushing to shut out the conservatives.
LOOK UP YOUR LOCAL GOP and get active so that Newt can have his female undergarments in a bind and it will not matter.
What a PATHETIC excuse NEWT!
“And I hate it that I don’t understand why he has changed. I just don’t get it. “
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Do you understand now?
Newt was always an opportunist, as are most pols, I’m afraid. He says what he thinks will be the most profitable for him. He is a man with no principles.
Newt is dead to me.
Ha, ha, no matter how gloomy I become over the current state of affairs, I can always count on Freepers to make me laugh!
Newt wants to purge conservatives.
This is the purge the country club RINOs want. They don’t like ordinary peoples in THEIR country club.
Good idea, we may need to look at not just a statement to do this, but an actual organized effort. Just brainstorming here, but I suppose the first thing is to look at all the areas with competitive races where we have a RINO problem, list them along with their local processes for voting in local GOP officials. Then, identify FReepers in those areas who can run and go from there...
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