Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


20

Palin Bucks GOP, Backs Conservative

Race for NY House seat turns into battle for soul of the right

Share

(Newser) – Sarah Palin has bucked the GOP to endorse a third-party challenger in a closely-watched House special election. In the race for the upstate New York seat, Palin has joined Fred Thompson and Dick Armey in endorsing the candidate for the Conservative Party, Doug Hoffman, over a Republican nominee, Dede Scozzafava, who is pro-choice and supports gay rights. "There is no real difference between the Democrat and the Republican in this race," the former governor wrote on her Facebook page.

GOP leaders see Scozzafava as a pragmatic choice for the seat vacated by John McHugh, a Republican whom President Obama nominated to be secretary of the Army. "We have to decide which business we are in," Scozzafava backer Newt Gingrich wrote yesterday. "If we are in the business about feeling good about ourselves while our country gets crushed then I probably made the wrong decision."  The schism may open the way for the Democratic candidate to win the race, Andrew Malcolm writes in the Los Angeles Times.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Toledo, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Toledo, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Sarah Palin in Anchorage after the 2008 presidential election.
Sarah Palin in Anchorage after the 2008 presidential election.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
20 comments
VIEWING:
 
Stasis
Oct 23, 09 6:02 AM CDT
LOL...he's definitely not gonna win now. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
IN RESPONSE:
Shannonals
Oct 23, 09 4:16 PM CDT
I doubt Palin's support of Hoffman will readily affect him. Hoffman doesn't have any baggage in his closet, so it's a sure bet. The question is how long will it take Hoffman to become seduced by Washington revealing to all it doesn't matter what party you belong to, every politician is corrupt
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Oct 23, 09 6:38 PM CDT
She is setting herself up as the Conservative in the GOP race in 2012. She will be successful. Republican faithful are waiting for a conservative to lead the party, not a pansy liberal like McCain.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
RockyPneumonia
Oct 23, 09 6:03 AM CDT
Good. The Democratic majority will be increased by one. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+9
Reader64481089
Oct 23, 09 6:14 AM CDT
"The schism may open the way for the Democratic candidate to win the race, Andrew Malcolm writes in the Los Angeles Times. " ...... Can we call this "The Pallin Touch" ? Thank you again Sarah, you helped so much get rid of McCain and it looks like your helping once again :) Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+9

View all 20 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

8 Stories

Nate Silver

 Blame Weak 
 Candidates, 
 Not Obama 

Polling guru gives a post-mortem on last night's elections

Nov 4, 09 8:36 AM CST
(Newser) - The numbers are in, now it's time to make sense of them. Nate Silver breaks down last night's election results:
  • Don’t blame Obama; Creigh Deeds and Jon Corzine were probably just weak candidates. In New Jersey, 57% of voters approved of Obama, but 27% of those supporters voted
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gay marriage • New York City • Jon Corzine • New Jersey • New York • Michael Bloomberg • Virginia • exit polls • election • poll numbers • Nate Silver • Creigh Deeds • Christopher Christie • Bob McDonnell • Doug Hoffman • Bill Owens • Election 09 • election day November 2009

 Dem Owens Takes NY-23 

Win follows GOP moderate, conservative split

Nov 4, 09 12:55 AM CST
(Newser) - Retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens has pulled off a major upset for the Democratic Party and won the closely watched election in New York state's 23rd congressional district. Owens was ahead of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman 49% to 45% with 92% of precincts reporting, according to AP . Moderate... More »

MORE ABOUT:
special election • New York state • Doug Hoffman • Dede Scozzafava • 23rd District • Bill Owens • election day November 2009

election day

5 Things to Watch
in NY-23 Race

Hoffman looks to pick up Scozzafava's supporters

Nov 3, 09 11:41 AM CST
(Newser) - With late polls inconclusive, Josh Kraushaar of Politico runs down five things to watch in the NY-23 congressional race as returns filter in:
  • Dede Scozzafava's supporters: The big question is whether independent-minded GOP voters will go to her endorsed candidate, Democrat Bill Owens, or Conservative Doug Hoffman. Results
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • Conservative Party • Republican Party • Doug Hoffman • Dede Scozzafava • Bill Owens • Election 09 • election day November 2009

8 Stories


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
New York • political endorsement • special election • Sarah Palin • conservative movement • John McHugh • Doug Hoffman • Election 09 • election day November 2009

from our news partners

Associated PressAssociated Press