Reminder: GOP Was Against Hoffman Before It LOVED Him… Conservatives Are Paying Attention, Newt
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 4, 2009
I know politics are dirty… heck, the term “politics are dirty” is as old as civilization.
The NY-23 special election went beyond dirty. But the underdog still almost won. The conservative underdog.
To the RNCC: Your hypocrisy, arrogance, and flip-flopping during this special election makes you look like the ugly twin sister of the DNCC. First you attacked conservative Doug Hoffman every which way possible, so as to strengthen that stellar Democrat, oops, I meant REPUBLICAN candidate Dede Scozzafava you picked to run in the NY-23 election (and that GOP leaders sang umpteen praises about without ever examining her “love to raise taxes” track record or her other statist beliefs).
Then, after Scozzafava resigns in tears on Halloween morning (but, thanks for the million bucks, GOP!) and scoots over on El Día de los Muertos (also known as All Souls’ Day and Day of the Dead) to the DEMOCRAT side to offer her endorsement, the RNCC has no horse to back… must think, must think…. now the RNCC LOVES HOFFMAN.
But even that switch to support Hoffman took more time (and I’m guessing, pride swallowing) for the Republicans to muster than it should have.
The RNCC ad that was used to smear Hoffman, before they stopped smearing him and started LOVING him, was filled with several cheap shots, and has been removed from YouTube (natch, can’t have that embarrassing thing out there in cyberspace when you LOVE the guy now). Here is National Review Online’s evaluation of that RNCC ad (they still have the shell of the missing video embedded):
Hoffman once supported civil unions? Outrage! Good thing the actual GOP candidate is rock-solid on that whole marriage issue, right? Oops.
Hoffman doesn’t even live in the 23rd district! What a carpet-bagger … except the charge is misleading and irrelevant.
“Doug Hoffman: Running from himself” is the NRCC ad’s tagline. Pitiful. In the NRCC’s defense, however, it’s still a bit better line than the Scozzafava camp’s apparent new rallying cry: “Sprinting towards irrelevancy.”
Here is Newt Gingrich last week, attacking Hoffman before he LOVED Hoffman (I used to admire and defend Gingrich… not so much these days):
UPDATE: This video has also been yanked from YouTube. Of course.
Later, he endorses and speaks highly of Hoffman on Hannity’s show, when just a short time earlier, he was smearing him:
And here’s Newt again, channeling his “dark side,” while attacking Sarah Palin last week:
UPDATE: Another yanked video. The RNCC has been busy.
Yes, politics are dirty. And this past week in New York, despite the dirtiness of the RNCC attacking Hoffman, Newt Gingrich attacking Hoffman, the DNCC attacking Hoffman, Dede endorsing the Democrat opponent, and the Democrat party channeling big-big bucks to defeat Hoffman, the end result was that Hoffman lost by just a few percentage points.
Hoffman is a solid conservative and that resonates with a growing number of Americans. His defeat was small compared to where he was in the polls a mere couple of weeks ago.
The element that made the biggest difference in Hoffman’s third-party candidacy for NY-23 was the endorsement of Sarah Palin. Donations poured in within 24 hours, and his approval numbers skyrocketed with voters. And that was DESPITE the GOP still trying to dress up ultra-liberal Dede as a Republican. Many Democrat leaders were throwing in the towel before the polls closed, that’s how much Hoffman gained.
If Dede had resigned just a day or two sooner (and not been a Judas by endorsing Owens), Hoffman’s supporters may have been able to gain those remaining points for him to win, may have been able to offset the RNCC previous attacks… before they LOVED him. Heck, more than 7,000 knuckleheaded New Yorkers voted for Dede… just five thousand of those folks voting for a candidate who was actually still running could have made the difference.
We’ll never know.
Palin is no stranger to sucker-punch attacks from her own party, right, Newt? She’s a force to be acknowledged, with more Americans rallying to her for her sound, conservative principles. But the GOP keeps ignoring or demeaning her. Palin’s brilliant move to bypass the jackals of the media and putting her messages out on her Facebook page is… simply brilliant. And effective.
From Michelle Malkin:
As I’ve repeated many times over the last several weeks:
One thing is guaranteed at the conclusion of the NY-23 special congressional election: The Beltway Republicans who endorsed radical leftist Dede Scozzafava are going to have indelible egg stains on their faces. And GOP establishment fund-raising organizations will be the poorer for it.
From Da TechGuy’s Blog: NY 23 Final Roundup…
I expected a lot more crowing on MSNBC but I guess the gay Marriage defeat is such a shock they can’t manage to bring themselves up to joy.
The message from conservatives should now ring loud and clear… no more tax-and-spend RINOs, no more fake Republicans like that turncoat Dede. Find a conservative candidate to back… there are plenty out there. ARE YOU LISTENING, GOP? ARE YOU LISTENING, NEWT?
If not, your sorry butts will rue the day in 2010.
Riehl World View has the audio and transcript of Scozzafava’s recorded phone message that was used to cold call New Yorkers to vote for her buddy Bill Owens the last few days before the election. I like the transcript Dan Riehl wrote that SHOULD have been read by Dede for her “robo-calls”:
Hi, I’m Dede Scozzafava. As you know, I’ll sell my fat ass to any party willing to either put up the dough, or promise me perks after I’m done with my latest charade. Who needs a bandwagon when you can pummel my junk all you want on election day.
Congrats on coming so close, Doug. You were within reach of grabbing the brass ring. “This one was worth the fight,” Hoffman said in his concession speech. “This is only one fight in the battle.”
Conservatives are paying attention, GOP.
Related reading:
Gateway Pundit: Newt Gingrich Refuses to Apologize For Supporting Far Left Scozzafava (Video) and Obama Not Watching the Results Tonight and Sarah Palin Slams Biden After His Ridiculous Attack Today and Rush: Scozzafava Guilty of ‘Bestiality’ for Screwing Every RINO in the Country (Video) and At Half Empty Rally… Biden Urges NY-23 Voters to Teach Conservatives a Lesson
Political Integrity Now: Obama: NBA more important than America’s voice and Obama’s “misguided” agenda will lead to a Democrat disaster in 2010
Diary of a Mad Conservative: CNN finishes in last place on election night
Michelle Malkin: Election Day primer — and pushback against preemptive Democrat-media spin and Colorado Republicans stand up for Doug Hoffman; more GOP support pours in and NY-23 Watch: The Scozzafava meltdown continues and Dede Scozzafava: Liar and Radical leftist Dede Scozzafava can’t stand the heat and A message from NY-23 conservative candidate Doug Hoffman… “It’s time for conservatives to show the Republican establishment who’s in charge” and An ACORN-Friendly, Big Labor-Backing, Tax-and-Spend Radical in GOP Clothing
American Thinker: Hoffman lost, but tea partiers won in NY-23 after all
The Washington Post: Contests serve as warning to Democrats: It’s not 2008 anymore
Papa Mike’s Blog: Sarah Palin Smacksdown Clueless Joe Biden
Mommy: Palin Raises the Stakes in New York’s 23rd District
Sister Toldjah: Tuesday’s Elections and the Democratic Agenda
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Election Day 2009: It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over, New York Voters in NY-23, Your Vote Counts… Vote for Conservative Doug Hoffman (video) and Buh-bye, RINO Dede: Scozzafava Has Surrendered, Conservative Hoffman Gaining BIG in NY-23 Nov. 3 Election (video) – Update: RNC Now Backing Hoffman
Smart Girl Politics: Why NY23 is a simple choice by Katy Abram
GayPatriot: Republican Defeat in NY-23 Could Lead to GOP Victories in 2010
The Other McCain: Why CNN Sucks and No Backing Down and NY23: SCOZZAFAVA QUITS! UPDATE: New polls shows Hoffman in dead heat with Democrat Owens
The Palination: It’s Imperative That We Exercise Our Right to Vote Today
Ztower: President Bothways is aiming blame cannons at losers in governor and congressional races. But if the losers happen to win, Obama will take all the credit!
Hot Air Green Room: NY-23: New York Race – Chicago Rules, and What Dede Learned From David:
Caffeinated Thoughts: Traditional Marriage 31 for 31 and Election Night Results: Big Wins in VA & NJ Governor’s Races, Loss in NY 23, Maine Smacks Down Gay Marriage
Blue Crab Boulevard: Christie Wins, Hoffman Loses
Hot Air: Gingrich endorses Hoffman and Scozzafava endorses Democrat in NY-23 and Palin on Scozzafava’s withdrawal: Now we must unite and Video: Scozzafava accepts Margaret Sanger Award and Too good to check: Hoffman leading in NY-23?
Nice Deb: Republicans Sweep Governorships in VA and NJ and Hoffman Gets Giuliani Endorsement and Video: Scozzafava Out
Mike Flynn, Big Government: The Long, Dark Tea-Time of the GOP’s Soul
Diary of a Mad Conservative: Can you believe this woman? and Scozzafava backs out: A major turning point for the Conservative movement?
Ace of Spades HQ: Dede’s Farewell and Palin Endorses Hoffman UPDATED and Bumped
VotingFemale Speaks!: America Will Not Go Down Without A Fight; NJ and VA Defeats sent Loudest of Message; YOU CAN RUN DARTH OBAMA BUT YOU WILL NOT PREVAIL and Palin Nails Socialist RINO Scozzafava to the WALL; BarackObama.com Bombshell revealed and Sarah Palin Backed Hoffman Severely Beats out Scozzafava in polls; Dede Withdraws; GOP switches support to Hoffman
Another Black Conservative: This RINO Is Toast! Dede Scozzafava Quits NY-23 Race
Ryan Sager, True/Slant: Election Day: A Vote for Irrationality
No Runny Eggs: Weekend Hot Read – Robert Stacy McCain’s “NY-23 EXCLUSIVE PROFILE: Conservative Doug Hoffman: ‘Citizen Who’s Had Enough’”
Health Care BS: NY-23 AIN’T ABOUT HOFFMAN
Lisa Graas: Scozzafava Withdraws; RNC Backs Hoffman
Doug Hoffman, Big Government: Exclusive: Why I am Running, Doug Hoffman, Candidate for Congress in New York
Robert Stacy McCain, American Spectator: NY23 UPDATE: Video of New Ad for Doug Hoffman
Publius, Big Government: GOP Sweep: New Jersey Called for Republican Christie and Breaking: NY County GOP Chairman Writes Off Scozzafava
Politico: NY-23 race first test of tea party power
RedState: Dede Scozzafava is Toast. But We Need $25,000.00 ASAP
Founding Bloggers: ACORN And Bloomberg Are Killing New York
My Two Cents Worth: The latest from Sarah: East Coast Races Impact All Americans
Bill Hennessy, Big Government: New York 23: When a Nation Calls
About the author
Rush just stated that Dede was on the ballot twice.
To confused drone voters casting their vote for the republican, they voted for a non-existent candidate.
The percentage was so small, Doug could have won that seat if it were not for insidious ballots.
Ill-informed voters are a threat to the 2010 elections.
I think we can overcome the ignorance at the voting booth.
Afvet
There will be a next time. 2010. Owens is just a fill-in. Folks in NY 23 will not be fooled again by masqueraders like Dede.
But it was a shrewd tactic by the Obama machine wasn’t it? Take the guy out and put him in a WH position that leaves the Rep’s seat vacant and requires a special election. The special election puts a Dem in – for a year – and he has his foot in the door when the real elections roll around next year. Makes it easier for the Dems to hold this seat for the entire time.
OK, that depresses me more than I’d thought it would. Need more caffeine to offset the negative energy in my brain…
You’re right, though, AFVET – we CAN overcome the ignorance at the voting booth in 2010. Just have to be foxier in figuring out what devious tricks the Dems will try to pull.
I noticed that Newt has not been on news lately. I think he’s embarrassed because Dede betrayed him.
Arlene, touche’. Tit for tat, though… Newt betrayed conservatives. I’ve forgiven him many times over the years… not sure when/if I will forgive him for this one. His nasty attack on Palin on television was total bull puckies, and the flip-flopping on Hoffman made the GOP look like salmon on the shore.
Dede is a lying RINO fraud. Newt needed to wake up and look past the “R” after a person’s claim to a political party and examine that person’s actions, voting record, and proven ideologies. Dede failed on everything before even leaving the gate, but Newt and other GOP members didn’t recognize any of the signs of a Republican fraud. Maybe Newt’s getting too old for these political games. Maybe he and other GOP members need a slap of reality from the nation’s growing number of conservatives.
Love your blog, BTW, Arlene. The piece you wrote on the pending fate of conservative bloggers was well done and very “1984-ish”… and made me resolve to write faster and harder than ever before. My hubby said he’s prepared to visit me in the pokey, if necessary… dang, I love it when a man loves a woman like that…
Maybe Newt is getting too old but Fred Thompson sure isn’t!!! LOL He and Jeri knew which horse to back.
Fred impresses me more and more these days, Roxy.
Arlene, Newt got caught in his own political elitism. HAHA !
Love your blog !
I’ve noticed the same thing Arlene. For the last month, I was getting emails from his website telling me what show he was going to be on and to be sure and watch. All of a sudden, they stopped.
He’s laying low right now because he was wrong on this and he has to know it.
The GOP gave nearly $1million to Dede. My family stopped donating to the GOP a long time ago, and it’ll be a cold day in hell before we’ll ever donate to those idiots again. We’ll donate directly to the conservative candidates (like Sarah Palin) we support instead. BTW, we are no longer holding our noses to vote for someone just because they have an “R” by his or her name. Better wake up, GOP, because there are lots of people out there like us.
Doug Hoffman did great in the election; I still can’t understand how anyone could be dense enough to vote for someone who withdrew from the election. And they tell US not to waste our votes on a third party candidate!? Talk about wasting your vote. Why bother? Hoffman would have won if he’d gotten those votes. Maybe people should be required to pass an intelligence test before they can vote.
My husband says Republicans do nothing to earn our votes. They just wait around until we get sick of what the Dems are trying to do. Dems and Repubs are both driving us over the same cliff. The Repubs are just doing it slower!
You’re so right, Momcat, and your husband is a wise man. I keep looking at the RNC donation request letters I’ve received recently… I am not sending in any money unless I believe they are representing conservatives, not just being a less radical version of the Democrats. And this past week, with the NY-23 debacle, they earned a big, fat “F.”
I did, however, donate directly to Doug Hoffman for his campaign. So far, I’ve given more to individual politicians this year than I have given to the Republican party. I’m likely not the only one who’s done that.