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Meet the Future of Conservatism

Novice Doug Hoffman is shaking up the right

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 6:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – He's a "nerdy-looking" political novice, but Doug Hoffman just may be the "conservative superstar of the future," writes Marc Ambinder. Hoffman is running as a Conservative in the closely watched special election in New York’s 23rd congressional district. Despite his lack of experience, the lifelong accountant has racked up impressive credentials: He's got big financial backers, Dick Armey is stumping for him, and Fred Thompson, Michelle Malkin, and Glenn Beck are singing his praises.

Hoffman is a hardline conservative and a populist: He’s as firmly opposed to bank bailouts as abortion or new taxes. His appeal is to conservatives who feel that Obama-age Republicans are running as “Democrat-lite,” writes Ambinder in the Atlantic. He speaks to those who believe that “if only Republicans would act like true conservatives and proclaim their conservatism loudly and proudly—they'd win.” And though Hoffman may not win—he's currently in third but trending well—he’s already having an effect on the GOP.

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Doug Hoffman appears in a campaign ad. (YouTube)

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A video on behalf of Doug Hoffman (YouTube)

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He's a private citizen who had enough. That's reflective of all the people we see marching down in Washington, at the Tea Parties and events like that across the country.
- Rob Ryan, Hoffman's senior communications director

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 36 comments

Face-Of-RNC

Nov 11, 2009 2:03 AM CST

Everything will be so much better when the christians have turned America into their version of Iran.

ende

Nov 2, 2009 4:50 AM CST

Not really true. Yes, there are some shared characteristics, but there as many shared characteristics between fascism and socialism. Really, all ideologies, as their implementation rely more heavily on the authority of the state, all approach authoritarianism and lose any distinguishing characteristics. There are many routes to tyranny, both right and left.

ende

Nov 2, 2009 4:32 AM CST

Close, JoeQ. The history actually goes back a bit earlier. Rove was merely capitalizing on a trend that had been building since Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act which pretty much marked the official end to the Democratic control of the South. Gradually the Goldwater-lead intellectual wing of the GOP was elbowed out by these now politically homeless bible thumpers, initially as a mere pillar under Reagan's Big Tent, and then more recently as GWB's ticket to the white house.

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Meet the Future of Conservatism