Modern News

GOP Rift Bared in New York

What began as a little-noticed congressional campaign in upstate New York has become a high-profile battle for the direction of the Republican Party, and it could play a big role in the GOP’s approach to the 2010 elections and beyond.

Supporters of Mr. Hoffman, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, say the GOP needs to return to its conservative roots. Backers of Ms. Scozzafava, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, say the party must embrace centrists who can capture swing districts.

With Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman mounting a serious challenge to moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens, prominent Republicans are splitting support between Mr. Hoffman and Ms. Scozzafava, providing an unusually raw display of the party’s divisions.

Hoffman embodies honesty, integrity

As an accountant by profession, he understands and practices that values that we need in Washington, DC. Fiscal responsibility, honesty and integrity, an ethic of public service, and “outside the Beltway” thinking — these are the treasures he would bring to Congress, and from which his constituents and residents of New York State would benefit.

Michael Steele: Doug Hoffman win is a GOP win

“You’ve got two Republicans running in that race. My upside is that one of them will likely win,” Steele said. “We want to be supporting the one that wins.”

“I don’t split the party into conservative or not,” he said. “I’m looking as the national chairman to walk out of there one way or the other with a win.”

Asked if he would support Hoffman in 2010 if the Conservative Party candidate won the special election and sought reelection, Steele responded: “Why wouldn’t I?”

Morning Fix: What NY-23 means

Two things have become abundantly clear about the special election in New York’s 23rd district over the past week.

The first is that Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman could win the special election next Tuesday.

The second is that neither major party knows what to think about the Hoffman candidacy and both are trying to adjust their spin to accommodate what a victory by the Conservative Party candidate would say about the national political field.