Posted on 11/03/2009 2:52:17 PM PST by Steelfish
November 3, 2009 2:30 PM
Where’s Mitt Romney? Why was the once and no doubt future presidential contender missing from NY-23?
By Kathryn Jean Lopez
In October, everybody seemed to be doing it — getting into the campaign in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, that is. It was a three-way race among Republican Deirdre Scozzafava, Democrat Bill Owens, and Conservative Doug Hoffman to fill the seat that had been left vacant when President Obama tapped Republican John McHugh as secretary of the Army. Endorsements became such a popular sport for out-of-state Republicans that the special election came to seem a litmus test for conservatives looking at the 2012 presidential race.
If it was, Newt Gingrich didn’t come off well among conservatives. Perhaps the biggest news was when the former Speaker of the House endorsed the Republican candidate. On the face of it, that doesn’t sound like news. But Scozzafava is a Republican who supported President Obama’s stimulus package and who won the support of NARAL Pro-Choice America in the NY-23 race. When she announced on Halloween that she was suspending her campaign, and then went on to endorse the Democrat, Owens, Gingrich declared himself “deeply disappointed.”
Among other prominent Republicans, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty was caught off guard during a Washington, D.C., fundraiser, but once alerted to this race he quickly endorsed Hoffman and has been talking about him ever since (and has been subsequently pressed on what being a Republican means).
And Sarah Palin Facebooked her enthusiastic endorsement of the same. Mike Huckabee showed up to deliver a paid speech at a New York Conservative party dinner but did not actually endorse Hoffman — that is, until Scozzafava withdrew. He’s been Tweeting for Hoffman ever since.
But notably missing from the endorsement mix was former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
I’m sure he’ll rear his hairy head again. He’s the RINO that won’t die.
muck fitt
I am ashamed at some of the names that were silent, on the wrong side or came in at the last minute.
There are a lot of former contenders in that group.
Mitt is too busy giving r9etb and Bob J pep talks to keep them posting anti Palin crap on every thread.
Just a little congressional race a full three years before the next presidential election, but yet it provides the clearest indication of exactly who all the major candidates are: Here are my grades from a conservative perspective.
Sarah Palin
First on October 22, Sarah Palin came out on her Facebook page with a strong endorsement of the Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. A clear shot across the bow of the GOP establishment favoring principle over party. Palin cited Reagan’s ‘time for choosing’ and the principles of “smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense, and a commitment to individual liberty “. Palin’s bold action against the party establishment further established her strong conservative credentials. GRADE: A
Tim Pawlenty
Three days after the Palin endorsement, Pawlenty followed suit and endorsed Hoffman. He gave a solid endorsement. But Pawlenty seems jealous of Palin’s popularity and appears just trying to keep up with Palin among the conservative wing. Pawlenty scored a few points with conservatives for doing the right thing, but would have come out a bigger winner if he endorsed sooner. GRADE: B -
Mike Huckabee
On October 15, Huckabee made it very clear he could never support a pro-abortion candidate, but yet did not endorse Hoffman despite saying he agrees with him on most issues. Huckabee had a chance to publicly be the first leading candidate to make the endorsement, but instead showed he feared going against the establishment. Huckabee has now finally endorsed Hoffman, but only after Scozzafava threw in the towel. GRADE: C -
Mitt Romney
“I have chosen not to endorse the Republican candidate in New York’s 23rd District.” Basically identical to Huckabee, but Romney did not articulate why he could not endorse Scozzafava and gave no praise to Hoffman. The thought of going against the GOP and supporting a conservative did not even appear to cross Romney’s mind. GRADE D
Newt Gingrich
Not only did Newt endorsed Scozzafava, but he attacked those who dared support Hoffman. Gingrich completely mischaracterized this election, insisting it was anti 10th Amendment to go against the party operatives to endorse the conservative. Newt’s star has fallen far since leading the 1994 revolution, and instead of being a visionary is now a simple establishment guy. Now, hypocritically he has finally endorsed Hoffman. GRADE: ZERO
I will never vote for a rino again for president even if satan himself is in the race.
opportunistic...RINO..don’t need him, don’t want him
I like the word ‘former’ as I don’t want to see the names of anyone who ran in the GOP primary in 2008 on the primary ballot in 2012.
Well done!
Romney Romney Obamney stay where you are wherever you are.
And without the jam?
He’s done. The public failure of Romney Care was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. He had enough problems with social conservatives, but now, I can’t see fiscal conservatives giving him strong support, either.
My message to Romney? Don’t let the door hit you in the backside on the way out.
Stupid article.He’s been in Virginia supporting Bob McDonnell. I guess anyone who didn’t stump for McDonnell is irrelevant now too? STOOPID!
Surely you intended to ping them! :-)
He’s off somewhere for a face lift. His mask came off and the true Mitt is not a pretty site. Lies are ugly.
Yes. As far as i am concerned he’s middle of the roadkill. He can’t be trusted.
Romneycare finished him. The duct tape is over his mouth for a long time.
He sealed his own fate. He is done.
Too busy to make a statement??? give us a break. If he can’t do two things at one time, he will never make it as president anyway.
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.