NY-23 2009: America has changed [Hoffman concedes defeat to Owens]

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.

All I’m saying is that DeDe was a local assemblywoman and represented counties that Hoffman needed to win in order to win the seat. With her support Hoffman would have won. So, it doesn’t really make sense to do anything that could even be construed as insulting or making fun. There’s no benefit.

If Rush and others had said Dede made the right call and she’s good representing her district in the state but in the House we need another direction, maybe she stays on board and doesn’t throw the election.

From the Weekly Standard writer who covered the race:
“The one you’ve got to credit with this win for Owens is [New York Democratic Party executive director] June O’Neill,” says Watertown mayor and Hoffman supporter Jeff Graham. “She brokered the deal to get [Scozzafava] out and then made her into a victim—got all her endorsements and labor stuff. It probably made the difference in the end.”

The county-by-county election returns seem to support Graham’s take. John McCain won Jefferson county in 2008 despite losing the entire congressional district by 5 points, but Hoffman lost the county—represented by Scozzafava in the state assembly—49 percent to 46 percent. According to the Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman, Hoffman’s performance in this county and another represented by Scozzafava “demonstrated that Dede Scozzafava’s base of supporters turned to Owens in sizeable numbers.” He added: “It helped that the local paper, the Watertown Daily Times, embarked on a crusade against Hoffman late in the race.”

Her supporters went to Owens in sizeable numbers. It’s understandable if you think you’ve been hounded out of the race by a bunch of outsiders who go on to make it personal that you would do what you can to take them down with you.

That said, I don’t think it portends anything long term.

Buut I do wish some of the radio guys would be a bit more civil especially with regards to other Republicans. It doesn’t really do anyone any good to make things personal or get people angry at you.

Still, Hoffman went from down 35-23 10 days ago to 49-45 and that was with DeDe throwing her support to Owens after she felt slighted. Not bad for a first time camapign thta basically flew by the seat of its pants and made a large number of mistakes. It’s a good foundation to build on for next year.

Also, here’s more on Hoffman from the biggest local paper the Watertown Daily Times:

Douglas L. Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate for the 23rd Congressional District, showed no grasp of the bread-and-butter issues pertinent to district residents in a Thursday morning meeting with the Watertown Daily Times editorial board.

In a nearly hour-long session, Mr. Hoffman was unable to articulate clear positions on a number of matters specific to Northern New Yorkers rather than the national level campaign being waged in a three-way race for the vacant seat of now-Army Secretary John McHugh.

A flustered and ill-at-ease Mr. Hoffman objected to the heated questioning, saying he should have been provided a list of questions he might be asked. He was, if he had taken the time to read the Thursday morning Times editorial raising the very same questions.

Coming to Mr. Hoffman’s defense, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, who accompanied the candidate on a campaign swing, dismissed regional concerns as “parochial” issues that would not determine the outcome of the election. On the contrary, it is just such parochial issues that we expect our representative to understand and be knowledgeable about, if he wants to be our voice in Washington.

So, basically, it appears Hoffman really knew little if anything about the local issues that residents cared about. He had guys like Armey pushing this as a natl race instead of a local race which it was.

If he had been more informed and better able to talk about the district and its key issues he likely wins.

I wouldn’t take a guy who pissed off the biggest media outlet and didn’t really take local issues seriously as a referendum on conservatism. A conservative who knew the area could have won just fine.

Combine that with Scozzafava gertting upset at being forced out and throwing most of her 20% or so to Hoffman and you have why Owens won.

Not necessarily some rejection of a conservative, but more local specific and candidate specific issues.

It also shows the importance of having a candidate the party can unite behind from the begining, like with Christie and McDonnell and not having a fractious battle play out until the weekend before the race where one guy gets the nod and the other takes her ball, goes home and endorses the democrat. If the GOP had one candidate everyone could have gotten behind from Septemeber on, they would have won.

I've read many of your post and I hold your intellect, and writing skills in high esteem. So if my post seems disrespectful I don't mean it to be. Sorry for the delay in responding, but I tired of the non-responsive name calling I was receiving. Yours was a substantive reply with a valid argument.

You make a good point that many candidates don't win their first time out. However, Hoffman is lousy speaker. He's a flash in the pan that was in the right place at the right time to capture the hearts and wallets of disaffected conservatives today.

I live in the 2nd district of WI. I used to have a solid conservative rep named Scott Klug. You may remember him as one of the congressmen leading the charge against corruption during the House banking scandal. He was replaced by a rug munching socialist named Tammy Baldwin, She promptly sent out mass mailing on how much pork she was bring into the state, and has a competent staff to personally deal with the issues and concerns of her constituency. I expect nothing less from Owens. We have a worse chance of getting that seat back in 2010 then we did last Tuesday. That is a fact proved by history too.

So yes. If Hoffman runs again from outside of the 23rd district, and somehow wins the primary(which I doubt he can do)...I bet you $100 he loses. This time he won't be able to count on RINO’s (a majority of GOP voters in that district, as proved by previous elections) holding their nose and voting for him as a message to 0, they are just as like to be angry at Hoffman for electing Owens in the first place...Or do you concede the point?

What interests me is the out-of-district thing. It looks like a situation I had a couple decades ago, where the boundaries of the California District were changed, AFTER the date on which my client had to declare as a Republican candidate for Congress. I missed getting the US Supreme Court to take the case, on a technicality.

I agree that Hoffman is a dubious speaker, compared to the Democrat who won. But I think if Hoffman wins the Repub primary, that he will then win the general. And since Hottman’s loss was the only peg on which Obama and his minions could hang their hat in 2009, the symbolism of that result would be most helpful in 2010, going into 2012,

Remember that Obama and his flying monkeys have no substance. They run on pure symbolism. I'm looking at the long-range picture here.

Cordially, and thank you for the thoughtfulness of your response,

John / Billybob

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