Posted on 11/03/2009 9:58:12 PM PST by rabscuttle385
America has changed, and you have helped. Although we did not succeed in winning this election, we have succeeded in making sure political parties and special interests no longer take the people for granted. I believe we have sent a powerful message and laid the groundwork for future conservative campaigns.
I congratulate Bill Owens on a hard won victory. In our tradition of free elections, our country continues. And although Bill Owens has won, I believe America is turning the page to a new dawn.
The ideas of freedom, sound fiscal management and citizen government have sprung back into our consciousness. Our founding fathers would be proud of New York 23. It was here that our principles, those that have been the foundation of our nation, came back to life with a vengeance. And it was here that the people rose up against the political bosses who tried to impose their will. It was here that people reached out to control their own destinies again.
Despite the election results, I am optimistic for our future, because now I know that I am not alone in wanting to repair our great nation. Throughout this campaign I have been inspired by the outpouring of support and the intensity of that support.
I’ve met many different people in this campaign, from many walks of life and many professions; each with a different personal story to share. Yet we are all united in the belief that by participating in democracy, we could inspire change.
I urge that no one feel defeated, for this was only one of many elections. We came close, we put our agenda in front of the nation and the nation took notice. The worse thing we could do now, is not continue forward. Next year there are other elections and other candidates who have drawn inspiration from our efforts.
I would like to thank all of you who placed your faith in me, who worked tirelessly and shared your enthusiasm with those around you. You are all patriots, you have all stood up for your country and I am honored to stand among you.
Thank you,
Great great points. Thanks!
Hey, isn’t this the race that the media made clear that Obama stayed away from? Very interesting.
Dede endorsed Owen because she is a petty human, with human feelings and frailties, but she has a legitimate grievance against out of district conservatives. The 6% who voted for her also have a legitimate grievance against out of district conservatives.
You do sound defeatist and I for one find that disturbing because normally you are an inspiration-type freeper.
But it’s a full moon, and a big day... actually a pretty good day. 2.5 out of 3 aint bad.
Well, I apologize for being defeatist. Just calling it like I see it is all.
So, this loss is due to conservatives and has nothing to do with the fact that local party officials picked a candidate that was unnaceptable to her district (she had even been endorsed by Acorn) and then despite the NRCC pouring money into the race the Liberal Republican dropped like a rock in the polls. After dropping out of the race that “republican” candidate eventually endorsed the democrat. Perhaps this loss could better be blamed on the party bosses in NY and Scozzafava’s bitterness over her loss.
Tonight Britt Hume commented on the district issue—said it wasn’t Hoffman’s fault, something about the districts had been changed. I don’t know the details, but I’m sure others here do.
So, actually no one should have had a grievance.
I agree
Romney/Scozzafava 2012
Well, we just have to cheer up and speculate on who is Sarah going to mess up next?
It was 11 GOP county chairmen of the 11 counties in the congressional district. I don't know how those chairmen are elected but in WI, they are elected by the members of the county GOP. Perhaps you could send a letter to all the Republican party members in NY-23 to tell them about your out of state demands.
The seat was not Dede’s nor the GOP’s to give. Nor were the votes of the conservatives in her district hers by right. She still had to run a race and convince the electorate of her ability and earn their votes. If she can only poll 6%, then that’s all the power she had and the GOP (and her out of district supporters like Newt and others) backed a big loser.
If this had been settled with a primary election (like should have happened here) then the moderates wouldn’t have been nursing a grudge and a conservative candidate could have won easily.
Ummmm...........no.
This just reveals the liberal bent of the NY GOP.
What we are learning here is that you truly supported her as the candidate for the very reasons that we are against her, you wanted her in that seat.
I am quite sympathetic to your vision here, but I’m not convinced you’re right yet.
The GOP could claim this proves a conservative can’t win today, but we both know Howard could have won if the GOP bad fallen in line behind him weeks ago.
All we need to do is make sure good candidates are on the ballots in the primaries next spring. To heck with the GOP leadership.
Well, she did kind of take down Newt. T-Paw didn’t fall for it, but Huck and Willard did. And Newt will continue to defend his position for years now that Hoffman lost and make himself look like more of an ass. That’s definitely a plus. :)
Oh, please.
Maybe you should look into conservatism, it is real popular here at freerepublic.
this race clearly had a bunch of special circumstances.
In 08 McHugh won it 65-35 or 145k to 75k for the dem.
Owens won tonight with under 65k. Only 120K total voted as opposed to 240k in 08. Obama won it 52-46. Owens won it 49-45.
Looks like pretty much the same number of dems showed up when you compare Owens to the dem in 08. But McHugh got 145k and Hoffman and Scozzofava combined only got 65k.
Clearly a whole bunch of people stayed home. I don’t know who stayed home because I havent seen any exit polls. How did Is go? Rs? Ds? But a lot of people just didn’t show up. Doesn’t really tell us much about what would happen in a full fledged election in a normal midterm year.
McHugh was a longtime guy who everyone knew. Hoffman was a new guy who no one knew and whose campaign ended up being seen as being about a national issue and not really the district.
I don’t really see it as a black eye for conservatives. If the party had gone with him from the start instead of mesisng around with Scozzafava and he had a few months to campaign and introduce himself he likely wins. I think if he sticks around and proves himself to the residents thre, he can win next year.
Pick the right candidates from the beginning and make sure you have party unity and you’ll do well, like in NJ and VA.
Still, any downside to conservatives is more than outweighed by the huge egg on Obama’s face after going all out for Corzine and getting spanked.
Things look good for 2010. Dems are losing enthusiasm, if health care goes down they’ll lose even more. We have good candidates and favorable races next year.
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