[KevinB]

Michelle nails it.

[LS]

Yes, but . . . the unaddressed issue here is "could Hoffman, with or without the GOP money, have brought over that 5-6% that Scuzzy won?" That's the key question. We know that RINOs won't win without conservatives. Is the reverse true? So far, Santorum, Talent, and now Hoffman suggest you need to have a lot going for you besides "pure conservatism" to win. You need organization, you need $ (though after Palinizing the race, I seriously doubt Hoffman lacked for cash), and you need an attractive candidate. Was Hoffman too dull for his own message? From what I saw of him, he could have been better.

So, I don't think there is as clear a message from NY-23 as many here want to think.

[Once-Ler]

Conservatives owe NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman immeasurable gratitude. He overcame impossible odds (single digits just a month ago) to come within two points of defeating Democrat Bill Owens.

It helps when the GOP candidate drops out. Headlines last week were Hoffman had more money than Scuzzy. Conservatives always suffer from short term memory loss when they lose. See FR/Malkin coverage on Sen. Santorum, Rep JD Hayworth, Sen George Allen, Rep Richard Pombo, Rep. Curt Weldon, and Rep. Charles Taylor Vs. loud cheers for a couple RINO's from same period.

One sided commentary from the queen of conservative spin, if you like that. I prefer truth. Big wins for Republicans last night. NY-23 was a loss for conservatives and a win for rats...no matter how it is spun.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Better a donkey in office that acts like a donkey than a donkey in elephant’s clothing making a complete ass of the GOP."

What a line!!! That's gotta sting a bit.

[Leisler]

Your RP money at work.

Nothing to see, move along, Little People, move along.

[rae4palin]

I predict NOTHING changes at the RNC. Maybe different wording on their beg-o-grams but the same people will remain in charge.

[Earthdweller]

I'd like to know who had the idea to leave Scozzafava on the ticket. She drew more than enough away to put the Conservative over the top ...that is what gave the election to the dems. Someone should be taken to court over it.

[syriacus]

Owens won ONLY because Obama eliminated the strong Republican (McHugh) from the race.

Obama has a history of removing opponents before an election.

Obama played hardball in first Chicago campaign

As a community organizer, he had helped register thousands of voters. But when it came time to run for office, he employed Chicago rules to invalidate the voting petition signatures of three of his challengers. Obama's past battles

The move denied each of them, including incumbent Alice Palmer, a longtime Chicago activist, a place on the ballot. It cleared the way for Obama to run unopposed on the Democratic ticket in a heavily Democrat district.

[Rocky]

Fire the GOP leadership.

[PapaBear3625]

Hoffman was a threat to the GOP machine officials. The party officials must be purged at Primary time.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Hoffman was running against BOTH major parties. His showing in the election is remarkably strong given the obstacles he faced, and a tremendous marker for a coming sea change in American politics.

[AmericanInTokyo]

NAILED IT! RIGHT ON!!!

[CharacterCounts]

Anyone have another link to the Republican video. It says “this video removed by user.”

[mo]

Until a Tom Delay is RNC chair...this stuff will continue.

[Antoninus]

LOL. I have mailed back two or three RNC donor cards with things exactly like that written on them.

NY-23 = No $$ for the RNC.

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Hoffman lost for the following reasons:

1.) He entered the race late. That hurt.

2.) Compared to Owens, Hoffman had zero name recognition.

3.) He was oustpent by Owens and Scuzzafava.

4.) He was undermined by Newt’s endorsemnt of Scuzzafava. Maybe just a little, but he was still undermined.

5.) He was fighting a three-front war against the RINO establishment, Scuzzafava and Owens.

6.) Scuzzafava had hard-core supporters that did a revenge-based vote against Hoffman.

7.) He did not have as much political expertise in running as effective a campaign as Owens did.

A year from now, Hoffman will be ready. For now, people need to rally around Hoffman, because the RINO establishment in NY will be seeking to undermine Hoffman running on the Republican ticket or any ticket. They undoubtedly are angry that him running forced the RINO’s tool (Scuzzafava) out of the race, and they won’t soon forget that.

[ZULU]

NEVER, EVER, contribute ONE NICKLE to any GOP soliction.

Contribute ONLY to specific conservative candidates.

The BEST way to get rid of the RINOs is to fiscally strangle them and support conservative candidates.

[newgeezer]

I WISH the RNC would call me and ask for money so I could give them a piece of my mind.

(Unfortunately, I probably made my position very clear the last time they called. ;^)