Posted on 10/31/2009 5:07:30 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Base sends GOP warning shot in NY-23 By: Jonathan Martin and Alex Isenstadt October 31, 2009 07:43 PM EST
Republican Dede Scozzafava’s decision Saturday to drop out of the New York special congressional election gave conservatives a big win, but may present a challenge for Republicans heading into next year's mid-term elections.
The long-term implications from Scozzafava’s Halloween surprise will depend on what lessons Republicans take from the race, where Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman now seems poised to consolidate center-right support and win the seat previously held by Republican John McHugh, who resigned to become President Obama’s Secretary of the Army.
The message from national and New York conservatives is unambiguous, though: This was an angry, energized base telling the national party that an anything-for-a-majority approach by GOP leaders is unacceptable. They are serious and deeply concerned about what's going on in Washington.
While the Empire State's unique ballot rules and a Republican candidate to the left of the GOP mainstream helped open the door for Hoffman’s unlikely run, the national effect of this race may be to embolden more conservatives to take on party establishment-approved candidates who don't toe the idelogical line.
At issue is whether the GOP next year will be able to channel the electricity now coursing through the conservative grassroots to fuel Republican candidates or if the fervor that’s propelled Hoffman to the precipice of victory in a district he doesn’t even live in will continue to divide the party’s pragmatic and right wings.
“Over the long term, if we keep dividing up it may cost us,” said former Rep. Tom Davis, a Virginia moderate who helped build the GOP House majority as NRCC chairman. “You’ve got to stay under one tent and that’s got to mean accommodations on both sides.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Why do they keep saying Hoffman doesn’t live in the district he is running for, and why would that be legal?
At last something truthful from an otherwise biased Politico commentary. When the alternative is Obamanomics, Conservatism is going to fly just nicely, thanks a lot Politico
I sincerely hope the Rep[ublican party leaders get the message.
It’s Conservative or nothing.
You betcha!
They redistricted 2 years ago and he fell outside the borders.. This is just another propaganda misinformation from the DNC Politico.
yes, someone posted me the info yesterday........he works in the district and his professional office is in it, yet his home is just outside......true. and it is legal for him to run and represent that district. very interesting.
Yes - I've got the same question. Anybody here know?
In federal races, the Constitution’s requirements rule. And in the case of the House of Representatives, all that is required is that you live IN THE STATE, not in the district.
Vote out RINOs in the primaries — Vote out Blue Dogs in the general election. The Constitution is on life support and is not doing well. It’s hard to believe that a Congress with a 15% approval rating could do any more damage — but they are trying. Let’s take the CON out of Congress.
“We need to capture this lightning in a bottle,” he said of the conservative energy. “They’re now the energy base of the party. But you can’t let them run the show or you’re going to lose all the independents.”
Screw you Davis. You didn't run the show so damn well in this race did you? Look to Florida, that's our next battle.
Let’s hope they’re smart enough to get it!
If John McCain had been elected, would this now be happening?
Didn’t stop Hillary or RFK.
They don’t.
One was blowing hot air in the article about “moderates” being able to do the same thing. Let them try. They can pick the candidates with their money and institutional seats at the table but they do not have the feet on the ground to pull this off as a true upstart challenge.
Still they talk about trying to mold us to suit their interests. To hell with that. I don’t work for the Republican party. I work to suit MY interests and that means conservatives or nothing.
No more RINOS!! No more big government!! No More socialism!! Stop spending our money!! Restore the constitution!!
There’s a TEA Party Rebellion underway!!
We need to combat the claim that the Tea Party Movement is far right, it isn’t! This is another attempt at slander by the left.
I’ve read that Owens doesn’t live in the district. Is this true?
“Over the long term, if we keep dividing up it may cost us,” said former Rep. Tom Davis, a Virginia moderate who helped build the GOP House majority as NRCC chairman. “You’ve got to stay under one tent and that’s got to mean accommodations on both sides.”
No, Tom Davis did NOT help build the GOP House majority. He was first elected in the ‘94 sweep; later as NRCC Chairman helped to maintain the majority.
After the ‘06 election (and more important, his wife’s VA ‘07 State Senate loss), Davis announced his retirement, rather than face a serious Dem challenge. His seat was turned over to a Dem.
There is no residency requirement for candidates or members of Congress, other then being from the same state
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