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Republican Armageddon
It just keeps getting better. Forget Dancing with the Stars: real entertainment these days comes from watching the so-called GOP imploding before our eyes.
Yesterday, the bitterly contested race to represent NY-23 in the House, between Bill Owens, the Democrat, Dede Scozzafava, the republican, and Doug Hoffmann, the out-of-district, Palin-endorsed teabagging wingnut, was thrown into chaos by the withdrawal of Ms. Scozzafava; the RNC, NRCC, God alone knows who else on the rapidly shrinking right, threw their support behind Hoffmann.
Today, Ms. Scozzafava threw her support behind the Democrat.
Scozzafava released the following statement at 2 :06 p.m.:
I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday.
Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly.
You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it’s about the people of this District.
It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same.
It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to provide the leadership and continuity of support to Drum Country just as John did during his tenure in Congress.
In Bill Owens, I see a sense of duty and integrity that will guide him beyond political partisanship. He will be an independent voice devoted to doing what is right for New York. Bill understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first.
Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday. To address the tough challenges ahead, we must rise above partisanship and politics and work together. There's too much at stake in this election to do otherwise.
Make no mistake: this is an earthquake, no matter who wins. If Hoffmann prevails, the extreme right will mount primary challenges in 2010 and beyond against any republican who strays even on the margins from hardcore orthodoxy. It would be a bloodbath, and the challengers are already waiting in the wings.
Stay tuned.
© Michael Bouldin, 2009. All rights reserved.
Re: Republican Armageddon
Even if Owens wins, they will use the Democratic victory as proof that the insufficiently pure Scozzafava should never have received the nomination in the first place. Either way, the outcome of this race will push the Republican Party even farther to the right.
Much as the partisan in me rejoices at their mad disarray, to the extent that it further empowers dangerous loonies, I don't think it's healthy for the country.
Re: Republican Armageddon
I'm glad that Scozzafava had the guts to endorse Owens. What her own party did to her was disgraceful. I've heard that in a poll only 17% of those asked identified themselves as Republicans. Their numbers are dwindling and it's their own fault. If they want to take this party to the extreme right they're going to find themselves reduced to a 3rd party with Dems and Independents the major parties.
Re: Republican Armageddon
This can be more than just entertainment. As the "Club for Growth" (a.k.a. the "Club for Democratic Growth") continues their political assassination of every Republican who isn't enough of a wingnut to suit them, a window of opportunity is opening.
Until someone shakes the Republican Party by the tail and straightens them out, moderates will flock to the Democratic candidates. This is our chance to run more progressive candidates in conservative areas and win. (We can also run a real Democrat in Connecticut in 2012!) From now on, "reaching across the aisle" should mean trying to get votes not from elected Republicans but from ordinary Republican voters.
How do we do this? By playing the fear card, of course. Make people understand that as soon as they take power they will gut the First Amendment (meaning your freedom of religion), start another unnecessary war, and send the economy back into a tailspin.
When do we do this? Next year, as soon as jobs start coming back and the press begins giving Obama the credit for turning the Republican economy around (they're going to have to, because almost nobody in the mainstream media has the slightest clue what they're talking about, and it's the easy way out).
Re: Republican Armageddon
I'm feeling bruised this morning, but this district's result is one of the few bright spots. I disagreed with a lot of people over the last day or two who were sure that Hoffman would win, and I'm very relieved that my instincts were right; sane attracts sane, it would seem.
I hope this discourages the Palin wing of the GOP from more of this type of behavior, but I doubt it will. And Ms. Scozzafava should join the Democratic Party.