Posted on 10/29/2009 4:45:59 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
n shift, GOP leaders embrace Hoffman By: Alex Isenstadt and Josh Kraushaar October 29, 2009 05:57 PM EST
The House Republican leadership is prepared to welcome Doug Hoffman into its ranks, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said Thursday, a sign that the GOP establishment is recalibrating its approach toward the contentious New York special election and the Conservative Party nominee whose candidacy has divided the party.
“He would be very welcome, with open arms,” Sessions told POLITICO in an interview off the House floor.
Sessions’s comments came as polls showed Hoffman surging in the Nov. 3 special election against Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava, a moderate who supports abortion rights and gay marriage, and Democratic attorney Bill Owens. Nearly a dozen rank-and-file Republican members announced their endorsements of Hoffman Thursday.
While the NRCC–along with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.)—have all thrown their backing to Scozzafava, grassroots conservatives have revolted against the GOP nominee, asserting that she is too liberal for them to support. Some have even called for conservatives to withhold donations from the NRCC in protest.
On Thursday afternoon, Sessions appeared to tacitly acknowledge that Hoffman may represent the GOP’s best chance to keep the Republican-held seat from being picked up by a Democrat.
“I think it’s pretty clear that a person who would vote for John Boehner, support tax cuts, support growing our economy, and defeat Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spend agenda will be really welcome in our conference, and I think having a person who can win that district off that message would be really good for the Republican Party,” Sessions said.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Does that mean the NRCC and RNC will quit their hatchet job on the guy?
Ain't that big of you.
Hypocrites! they knew they weren’t getting another dime; so NOW they start backing Hoffman. F the RNC
Is he the best person we have for the speaker position, if we can ever recapture the House?
After all the intra-party bickering that this aroused, I sure hope Hoffman doesn’t prove to be a RINO once elected.
True leaders with a steadfast vision the GOP is. /s
They made a mistake (after the mistake of Spectre, Jeffords, Chaffee...). Let’s allow them back in. Did they learn their lesson? Probably not. I forever know that Bohner doesn’t give a hoot about conservative principles. I hope he never become the Republican leader in the House. I can’t respect someone who will throw any principles for power. We’ve seen that movie before.
I hope Mr. Perot in NY23 wins.
Until they stop with the hatchet jobs, more and more members will float over to the conservative party till no republicans are left. Only RINO'S will remain.
And some are actually withholding instead of calling.
If they learn from this and quit supporting RINOs, it's a good thing.
Trent Lott in the senate!
I;d like either Steve King or Mike Pence as Speaker and Majority Leader (in either order).
Don’t do this. We are winning this one. The leadership is capitulating to our side. Drop it. Move on. Your attitude is foolish.
AMEN!!
I watched a video of Steve King last night...
I like that dude!
“I sure hope Hoffman doesn’t prove to be a RINO once elected.”
Of course he will. Everyone is. Is there an elected Republican that hasn’t been called a RINO ? I don’t know of one.
Maybe Hoffman will be the first !
F the RNC
well said
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.