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.
Why does he keep talking? You made your decision and your point, so shut up already. Really, you don’t see Sarah or the others talking about their decision to endorse every single moment.
LOL!!
“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.”
Uh, aren’t you from Georgia?
There’s only one party in DC - and Hoffman isn’t a member of it.
Call it what you will, Newt, but it’s a WAKE UP CALL!.................
“We have not yet begun to purge ...”
“Damn the torpedoes, full purge ahead ...”
“A purge by any other name would still clean the party of RINOS ...”
Newt is smart enough to see it as a purge. His mistake is siding with the party before his country.
.. and the problem with this is ???
“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?”
F U Newt!!! I am a conservative living in Texas,I GREW UP(Plattsburgh) and went to college(Oswego) in the 23rd district.
Dede Scozzafava DOES NOT represent the views of the majority of folks in the North Country.
And Newt is clueless as well.
Newt is a smart guy - not sure how he got so stupid on this issue.
When the real purge comes, Newt should be first against the wall. /I keed...or do I?
Wow, what an astute observation, Newt! Maybe you’re not as dumb as you look.
Purge of all ACORN supporters.
He really needs to put a lid on it.
He surely realizes he made a serious mistake by endorsing the party’s choice but now his ego won’t allow him to either change his mind or shut up about it.
All reminiscent of the traits that caused me to vote against him while I lived in his district.
OK...your point is what?
Get lost Newt. You screwed the pooch this time and your hysterical rantings trying to absolve yourself are embarrassing. I’ve supported and defended you for years...hoped against hope that you would enter the race last year. No more. I’m sick and tired of your stupid little gadfly games and your flirting with liberals. Just get lost!
GOOD!!
Oh yeah it’s a purge all right. I’ll bet if the GOP purges conservatives they’ll cease to exist in 5 years or less. They’ll cease to become a political force in less time than that.
“GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava” The GOP is support Dede.
It is the rest of the party that is not. Newt needs to buy a clue on this issue.
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