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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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43

Dem Owens Takes NY-23

Win follows GOP moderate, conservative split

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(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 Republican Dede Scozzafava received 6% of the vote despite withdrawing from the race over the weekend under pressure from the party's right wing.

The race was widely portrayed as a referendum on the Obama administration, although Owens focused mainly on job creation and other local issues. Hoffman's defeat came despite endorsements from Sarah Palin and other prominent Republicans. "This is only one fight in the battle, people," Hoffman told supporters after conceding the race. "Let's keep the fight going. Let's make sure our voices are heard."

New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens greets supporters after his victory at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, today.
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens greets supporters after his victory at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, today.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Doug Hoffman, Conservative Party congressional candidate in New York's 23rd district, waits to speak during an election night event in Lake Saranac, NY, early today.
Doug Hoffman, Conservative Party congressional candidate in New York's 23rd district, waits to speak during an election night event in Lake Saranac, NY, early today.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, today.
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, today.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens thanks volunteers at a campaign headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, early today.
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens thanks volunteers at a campaign headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, early today.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, early today.
New York's 23rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at Democratic headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY, early today.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
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43 comments
VIEWING:
 
Galileo
Nov 4, 09 1:05 AM CST
So I guess we have our answer. Is there an amazing conservative awakening sweeping the nation? No. And what a joke it has all been. NY-23 hasn't elected a Democrat to that post since the 1850s. Enter the Conservative candidate: Democrat wins. Weird how you paint this fantasy of ultra-conservatives "taking back" the nation, yet their entrance into a race resulted in the first liberal official being elected there in over 150 years. You fail. You fail so badly. And it feels so good. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+13
IN RESPONSE:
Count-Spatula
Nov 4, 09 1:38 AM CST
157 years of GOP control gone after a disastrous gambit involving Palin, Limbaugh and Beck. Please keep talking tea-baggers... you're toxic to conservativism.
Vote up! Vote down!
+16
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Nov 4, 09 1:45 AM CST
They are toxic to conservatism. I think even traditional American conservatism lost its footing with all the problems not funding government and privileging the rich causes -- and especially with the 2008 financial crisis. The tea baggers are not even conservative. They're a mish-mash of special interests. The libertarians don't care one wit about abortion and they want to end American imperialism; the neo-cons want government subsidies to their friends and more wars; the Christian fundamentalists want a theocracy following whatever their dear leader leads them to; the white supremacists want to ship everyone else out. How can you find enough in common to generalize about them? The libertarians are the only respectable ones in the group.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Jayster999
Nov 4, 09 4:08 AM CST
45% is a good showing for a 3rd party candidate in a district with a democrat stranglehold. If the republican turncoat would have cast her support where it should have gone, this race could well have gone our way. One year in, and it's been anything but blue skies for Barry. The tide is turning, whether you see it or not. People are going to have to quickly choose whether they want a constitutional republic or an oligarchy.
Vote up! Vote down!
-6
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Nov 4, 09 6:03 AM CST
Drink up that Kool Aid Jay. Defiant to the last. In case you didn't realize this 2nd place doesn't get you anything. Oh and "Democrat stranglehold?" This district hasn't voted for a Democrat since the Civil War and that was a long time ago in case you didn't know. Look for these results to be repeated wherever Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and Sarah Palin try their little experiment.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7

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