Headlines in the special election to fill Rep. John McHugh’s seat in New York’s 23rd Congressional District have been dominated by Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava. And it’s not good news.
Scozzafava, an assemblywoman in the state legislature, and her campaign are receiving slashing criticism after a member in her camp, thought to be her husband, called the police on a reporter from The Weekly Standard who questioned her stances. The campaign has continued to attack the journalist in a obvious attempt at intimidation. Up to this point the assemblywoman has been the target of scorn for her liberal stances – she’s pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, and recently endorsed card check.
Meanwhile, Scozzafava is receiving endorsements as mixed as her message. She’s supported by NYSUT, New York’s largest labor union, and GOP leaders like Newt Gingrich.
SEE RELATED:
Scozzafava’s campaign keeps muffing up at a time when their candidate desperately needs a break to catch frontrunner, Democrat candidate Bill Owens. She’s trailing in the latest polls by four points in a district that has elected only Republicans to Congress since 1993.
New York Bloggers comment:
The Albany Project: NY-23: Caution, campaign implosion in progress. Wear hardhats.
The Daily Politics: Gingrich endorsement called “a mistake.”
Capitol Confidential: Gingrich’s letter of endorsement.
The Village Voice: “National conservatives continue to push hard for the defeat of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava.”
The Albany Project: Gingrich and RNC money, questionable timing.
“There are conservatives who don’t want anything to do with Scozzafava. But Republican Party leaders don’t want to come off as abandoning their candidate. The problem, of course, is that the conservatives in the party are questioning why the party is backing someone who is pro-choice, pro-equality and closer to the middle than most of the party’s current leadership.”
Rochester Turning: Siena Poll reveals tight and changing race.
“Owens is far ahead with the Democrats in the district, Scozzafava is ahead by a fair margin with Republicans, but Hoffman has a slight lead over Owens with independents. Scozzafava went from leading among independents two weeks ago by a 26-23-20 split (Scozzafava-Owens-Hoffman) to being in third place 31-28-24 (Hoffman-Owens-Scozzafava).
Doug Hoffman responds to Siena poll.
Scozzafava responds to Siena poll.
The American Spectator: Conservative Party wonders why former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hasn’t endorsed Hoffman.
Albanys Insanity:
“But many conservatives have been backing independent Doug Hoffman over Scozzafava, a split that could prove fatal to the Republican’s chances. And the intra-party warfare is starting to get nasty.New Scozzafava ad attacks Owens’ pledge to create jobs.
Quote of the Day:
“Maybe NY Republicans are RINO’s because that is the only way they can get elected.”
-Adirondack Musing
