The attacks keep on coming in the NY-23 special election, with Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava the target of more attacks from her right.
Scozzafava is in a three-way race with not only Democrat Bill Owens, but also Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who has attacked Scozzafava as a liberal on issues like abortion, gay marriage and spending. The split in conservative ranks threatens to hand the seat to the Democrats. And now Hoffman’s camp and the Conservative Party are calling her something else: “The Bernie Madoff of New York politics.”
Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan used the term in reference to Scozzafava’s recent endorsement by Newt Gingrich, explaining it as follows: “She is pulling a scam on Republican voters, and it looks like she is pulling a scam on Newt Gingrich.”
In an e-mail to TPM, Scozzafava spokesman Matt Burns shot back that it’s Hoffman who is the dishonest one here, having broken a previous offer of support for Scozzafava after she was selected by local party leaders to be the nominee. Hoffman also sought the nomination, but congratulated Scozzafava upon her nomination and asked if there was anything he could do to help. Shortly afterward, he instead launched his campaign with the Conservative Party.
Said Burns:
Dede has consistently opposed higher taxes and she’s voted to cut taxes dozens and dozens of times, saving taxpayers from billions in wasteful spending. She also voted against Gov. Paterson’s entire reckless budget this year. After thoughtful consideration, Dede signed this pledge because it is consistent with her long-held belief that less government and lower taxes will foster job creation. Let’s not forget that Doug Hoffman’s entire campaign is the result of him breaking the most important pledge — his word. The fact is Doug Hoffman is growing more and more desperate by the day. It comes as little surprise that he’d rather attack someone else than talk about his own failing campaign.
