FNC Projects Bill Owens (D) Winner NY-23

[Hey Paula]

IIRC Owens got 49%, Hoffman 44% and Scozzafava 5%.

[MercedesV]

Good. Too bad there was such interference in this race by outsiders. I wonder if the win is by default and the candidate they would have preferred was thrown under the bus by her own party.

[juliekan]

I really liked Hoffman after I saw him on tv. No agenda other than wanting to serve his constituents.

I want a Congress full of Mr. Deeds.

[theal3]

Well since it's a House seat, interesting. The other 2 were Governors. Sends mixed messages IMHO. Guess NY got bluer.

[MercedesV]

I really liked Hoffman after I saw him on tv. No agenda other than wanting to serve his constituents.

I want a Congress full of Mr. Deeds.

He didn't have any idea what the concerns/problems/issues of the district were. How can you serve people and not know any of their concerns? And he didn't seem to think that was important when interviewed. Strange to me to say the very least.

[juliekan]

He didn't have any idea what the concerns/problems/issues of the district were. How can you serve people and not know any of their concerns? And he didn't seem to think that was important when interviewed. Strange to me to say the very least.

link to
"He didn't have any idea what the concerns/problems/issues of the district were"

thanks

[Hey Paula]

This is an interim vote/seat. I believe there will be a full-term election in 2010. This seat was vacated by McHugh (R) when BO selected him for the post of Secretary of the Army.

[daniel green]

Maybe that is the message.......Republicans can't throw people under the bus for not being socially conservative enough if they want to be a political power today.

I think the message is what Gingrich and Steele said about it. If radical fringes want to purge the GOP, well, there won't be a GOP left. And that they will ensure that the President gets a second term and Speaker Pelosi is speaker for life.

[MercedesV]

In fact, iirc .... he seemed quite "put upon" when quizzed about the district he was hoping to serve.

jmo

He was on with Armey, isn't that great, and Armey claimed that was parochial. As if anyone should complain that the candidate was clueless when he was pro life, anti gays and far right. What other issues could anyone in the district care about.

[MercedesV]

Hi Mercedes .... I think there is a definite statement here. The voters of the 23rd NY district were not about to let "outside interference" tell them how conservative they should be.

jmo

I agree, and I say good for them. It was said all along this was a moderate district. And the Republicans put up a moderate candidate. I would love to hear from actual voters in the district how they feel about it all. I can't help thinking many of them had the candidate of their choice thrown under the bus. But it would be interesting to hear what the actual voters felt about it all.

[daniel green]

Palin had made those recorded messages that were being phoned to GOP voters about how important it was for Hoffman to win and send a mssg to the WH.

Oh, well. They did.

[MercedesV]

Palin had made those recorded messages that were being phoned to GOP voters about how important it was for Hoffman to win and send a mssg to the WH.

Oh, well. They did.

Now I'm sure they will be convinced it doesn't mean people approve of Obama.

I think the results reflect what is happening within the GOP. Both in NJ and VA candidates did not want Palin anywhere near them campaigning because they feared she'd turn off more moderate/Independent voters. And they couldn't afford that. In NY Palin jumped in and others followed and threw all their support toward Hoffman. We see how both methods worked.

For those who think Republicans should only be ultra conservative, and the party should purge moderates, maybe they need to learn a lesson from the election. You aren't going to win with extremes, and not everyone is going to vote ultra conservative.

[juliekan]

Now I'm sure they will be convinced it doesn't mean people approve of Obama.

I think the results reflect what is happening within the GOP. Both in NJ and VA candidates did not want Palin anywhere near them campaigning because they feared she'd turn off more moderate/Independent voters. And they couldn't afford that. In NY Palin jumped in and others followed and threw all their support toward Hoffman. We see how both methods worked.

For those who think Republicans should only be ultra conservative, and the party should purge moderates, maybe they need to learn a lesson from the election. You aren't going to win with extremes, and not everyone is going to vote ultra conservative.

I don't think that works for the Republican party. They had McCain as their candidate, and he is a moderate...and we know he didn't win. I don't think that's what they are looking for. I think that party might do well to go back to their ultra conservative roots. But what do I know? :tongueside:

[MercedesV]

I don't think that works for the Republican party. They had McCain as their candidate, and he is a moderate...and we know he didn't win. I don't think that's what they are looking for. I think that party might do well to go back to their ultra conservative roots. But what do I know? :tongueside:

I don't consider McCain all that moderate, however he tried to become more conservative and he had an ultra conservative running mate. Throwing moderates out of their party just isn't going to do them any good with moderate and Independent voters.

[theal3]

Now I'm sure they will be convinced it doesn't mean people approve of Obama.

I think the results reflect what is happening within the GOP. Both in NJ and VA candidates did not want Palin anywhere near them campaigning because they feared she'd turn off more moderate/Independent voters. And they couldn't afford that. In NY Palin jumped in and others followed and threw all their support toward Hoffman. We see how both methods worked.

For those who think Republicans should only be ultra conservative, and the party should purge moderates, maybe they need to learn a lesson from the election. You aren't going to win with extremes, and not everyone is going to vote ultra conservative.

Just like we couldn't win with far lefters and became more moderate and tolerant and inclusive. pro life and pro choice and birth control or not, are both allowed in our party, as we respect all religious choices and practices. The Dems are more together than ever before IMHO, and we've proven the Dems can do a good economy: Clinton most recently. A more inclusive party IMHO. That's what I like, the diversity. Dems knows Obama isn't far left, he's moderate no matter how the GOP, Libertarians, Conservative Party, and their supporters and Talking heads portray him. IMHO. The extremes they use with all this socialsim, nazi, terrorist, death camps, stuff they throw out, like Beck's wild theories..... the more they who follow blindly appear marginalized IMHO. It's out of the norm in these days and age... good entertainment though.

See NYorkers are smart folks.

[juliekan]

I don't consider McCain all that moderate, however he tried to become more conservative and he had an ultra conservative running mate. Throwing moderates out of their party just isn't going to do them any good with moderate and Independent voters.

that's my point, i think they would do better just going for the conservative vote. trying to be inclusive, as in Scozzi, who sounded from what i heard, more to the left than the Dem, wasn't working either.

[MercedesV]

that's my point, i think they would do better just going for the conservative vote. trying to be inclusive, as in Scozzi, who sounded from what i heard, more to the left than the Dem, wasn't working either.

Actually from what I read, her voting record was to the right of center. Except she was pro choice and pro equal rights. Just can't have those equal rights for people. Without seeing the record it is hard to judge, but she apparently was a moderate, running in a moderate district.

Just going for the conservative vote is a guaranteed method to fail in most areas. May work in some sections of the country but on a national level it is never going to work. You can't win elections with just the far right vote. Or even just the conservative vote.

[LisaM22]

so democrats win another seat, what message does that send?

[ninetoes]

that's my point, i think they would do better just going for the conservative vote. trying to be inclusive, as in Scozzi, who sounded from what i heard, more to the left than the Dem, wasn't working either.

IMO, neither Hoffman nor Scozzafava would have won in NY.

[crocdog1]

that's my point, i think they would do better just going for the conservative vote. trying to be inclusive, as in Scozzi, who sounded from what i heard, more to the left than the Dem, wasn't working either.

In other words, Scozzi is one of the few MODERATE Republicans left in the GOP.

If you are not a very strong believer in THE RIGHT TO LIFE AGENDA, you are not wanted in the GOP.

You must march in lockstep with their very strong faith based social values, convictions and beliefs or you are not one of their "kind."

Their leaders include the so called entertainers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.

If you do not believe in their fundamental Christian convictions then you are a godless (refer to Elizabeth Dole), evil, and immoral person.

Also, you are not a true patriotic American as are the patriotic members of the GOP.

I wonder who is next? Charlie Christ??

Just My Humble Opinion

[ninetoes]

The funny thing was .... before the election .... most seemed to think that it was a "given" Hoffman was going to win, simply because the district had always voted Republican.

I wasn't so sure. I think the Republicans showed their true colors here, and it certainly wasn't one of tolerating anything OTHER than right of center.

jmo

I sure didnt think Hoffman would win. Posted as much a week or more ago.

Im not sure I see it Republicans showing their true colors, though. I just see it as politics. It really no different than the WH tossing Deeds aside because he wouldnt commit to being "an Obama democrat". Its politics, pure and simple.

[beattherap]

Actually from what I read, her voting record was to the right of center. Except she was pro choice and pro equal rights. Just can't have those equal rights for people. Without seeing the record it is hard to judge, but she apparently was a moderate, running in a moderate district.

Just going for the conservative vote is a guaranteed method to fail in most areas. May work in some sections of the country but on a national level it is never going to work. You can't win elections with just the far right vote. Or even just the conservative vote.from the not conservative daily kos---

"Dede Scozzafava, the Republican, is actually the most liberal candidate in the race. (Heck, she has run on the very liberal Working Families Party ballot line in the past.)"...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/1/12236/8760...

she supported the stimulus bill, backs card-check, supported paterson's budget...

she's closer to a modlib dem than a mod r.

imfo.

[syringa]

The message imo is that when someone enters a race late in the game with no name recognition and little money, it is amazing that they made it this close. Given another few weeks Hoffman would probably have pulled it off.
jmo

[Thumper Too]

from the not conservative daily kos---

"Dede Scozzafava, the Republican, is actually the most liberal candidate in the race. (Heck, she has run on the very liberal Working Families Party ballot line in the past.)"...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/1/12236/8760...

she supported the stimulus bill, backs card-check, supported paterson's budget...

she's closer to a modlib dem than a mod r.

imfo.

Finally!!! Thanks for the link. It clears up a lot for me.

[Lynden1000]

I don't think that works for the Republican party. They had McCain as their candidate, and he is a moderate...and we know he didn't win. I don't think that's what they are looking for. I think that party might do well to go back to their ultra conservative roots. But what do I know? :tongueside:

IMO, the Democrats should remain far left, the Republicans should remain far right, and the huge group that is left over should form a third party to get things done.

But alas, probably not in my lifetime.

[crocdog1]

The message imo is that when someone enters a race late in the game with no name recognition and little money, it is amazing that they made it this close. Given another few weeks Hoffman would probably have pulled it off.
jmo

I am an Obama INDEPENDENT.

It hurt Obama to lose the NJ and VA races to the Repubs.


However in the case of NY, Republicans lost a district that had voted Republican for the past 100 (THAT'S ONE HUNDRED) YEARS.

They threw their big guns into this very small race--especially Sara Palin.

I was kinda hoping if the Repubs had pulled it out, they would again do it in 2010 with the Congressional elections.

The extreme Right Wingers in the GOP can call it anything they want. You are not going to fool the American People by calling a dyed-in-the-wool Right Wing person a Conservative instead of an extreme Right Wing Republican. They are one and the same.

Just My Humble Opinion

[crocdog1]

I sure didnt think Hoffman would win. Posted as much a week or more ago.

Im not sure I see it Republicans showing their true colors, though. I just see it as politics. It really no different than the WH tossing Deeds aside because he wouldnt commit to being "an Obama democrat". Its politics, pure and simple.

I Disagree.

Granted, the WH did not support Deeds. However, they did not actively campaign to have him defeated.

This certainly was not true in NY. They actually sent someone in to take away the Republican votes meant for the Republican challenger.

Also, they actively campaigned for the Conservative in Republican sheep's clothing by sending in their big guns, such as Sara Palin, to actively support him.

Just My Humble Opinion

[syringa]

I am an Obama INDEPENDENT.

It hurt Obama to lose the NJ and VA races to the Repubs.


However in the case of NY, Republicans lost a district that had voted Republican for the past 100 (THAT'S ONE HUNDRED) YEARS.

They threw their big guns into this very small race--especially Sara Palin.

I was kinda hoping if the Repubs had pulled it out, they would again do it in 2010 with the Congressional elections.

The extreme Right Wingers in the GOP can call it anything they want. You are not going to fool the American People by calling a dyed-in-the-wool Right Wing person a Conservative instead of an extreme Right Wing Republican. They are one and the same.

Just My Humble Opinion

The Republican Party did not send in Sarah Palin. Those that went in and endorsed Hoffman did independently without the blessing of the party. The party spent $900,000 on Scozzafava only to have her become a turncoat and endorse the democrat.