In a Washington Post profile of the erstwhile Republican candidate for New York’s 23rd district, Dede Scozzafava marveled at her new fame — and warned her party against pushing out the moderates.
“My name’s a verb now,” she told the Post. Indeed, the nearly unpronounceable “scozzafavaed” made its way into the user-generated Urban Dictionary after she withdrew from the election amid sinking poll numbers and a nationally-supported conservative candidate.
She also issued a warning to the Republican party.
“There is a lot of us who consider ourselves Republicans, of the Party of Lincoln,” she said, her face now flush. “If they don’t want us with them, we’re going to work against them.”
The state assemblywoman was stripped of her Republican leadership position yesterday.
The profile also recounts the days leading up to, and immediately following, her decision to withdraw from the race.
Scozzafava said she heard conservative-funded robocalls decrying her as a “child killer,” a “lesbian lover” and a “homo.”
According to the Post, she was heavily courted by Democrats — sent by the White House — and urged to endorse the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens. Owens won the election.
Bill Clinton tried to get in touch with her. She received calls from Owens, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, considered the administration’s choice for governor, all lending their support. The Democratic leader of the State Assembly reportedly told her she was welcome in his caucus.
