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.
I am surprised he didn’t characterize it as a “Putsch”. Noot left his nads hanging on the concertina wire around nancy peeloousi’s compound. Being bipartisan can do that to you.
Newt prefers to rule, not serve. He’s darn ticked off that the peasants are questioning those who rule.
OK Newt, let's say I agree that we can't expect 100% agreement between the candidates and the voters. What's the line then; 80%, 70%, 50%? Under the Newt-plan, at what point can I look at the GOP candidate and say "Nope, they don't reflect my values?" Or is it sufficient that they have an 'R' after their name?
WTF???????? I’ve just lost whatever small measure of respect that I still held for Gingrich. HE needs to be purged.
Dede Scozzafava, is the product of an obscenely corrupt political bargain by GOP bosses that sells out their party and New Yorkers generally.
You hear that Newt? They're talking about you babe!
Well, he’s right on something. It’s a purge and meant to be a purge.
“We need a purge - of RINOS”
***************************
We have a bingo.
That’s right Newt!!!... and guess who just put themselves in the crosshairs!
3
100 percent? Try five percent, Newt. Try a GOP candidate so liberal that DailyKos endorsed her.
Forum rules forbid me from saying what I really think about Newt's spin on this.
Newt, go sit on the sofa with pelosi and support global warming, oops, he already did.
The government is like a Bulimic teenage girl, after binging itself on the chocolate of government spending there must be a purge of all the excess she has incurred.
Newt, you moron, the revolution of 1994 was due to the People’s thirst for ideals in the “contract with America” but you idiots got the power and soon you yourselves were drunk with it. The contract with America was conservative ideals, the main reason we lost the election in 1996 was the RINO milquetoast candidate that was Bob Dole.
We the people thirst for conservatism, wake the hell up Newt.
Old newty is really bucking for that RINO outreach Czar post in the bammy administration.
for her socially liberal positions
Her positions not just socially liberal. They are liberal in EVERY sense of the word. The author uses this word because he knows it drives a wedge between conservatives and he wants to start a fight.
Shut up, Newt.
In a ‘normal’ process...
I would encourage all efforts to purge the rinos in the primary elections;
while ultimately backing the most conservative candidate available in the final election.
This race in the NY 23rd district is a special case.
There was no primary; the GOP ‘selected’ the wrong horse; and
the ‘leadership’ is apparently too proud to admit their mistake.
What a cry baby. Because he has been spending time on the couch with Miz Pelosi, he obviously doesn’t know what’s going on in the country.
Newt is for Newt, exclusively. An Opportunistic, self important, self-aggrandizing blowhard, is Newt. In any other world this man would have been a used car salesman, and would have written a book about it.
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