The leader of Republicans in the House said today that he regrets backing his party’s nominee in the NY-23 special election. At a press conference with reporters on health care this afternoon, House Minority Leader was asked if he regretted his past endorsement and financial support for Dede Scozzafava, the GOP nominee in the race who dropped out over the weekend and endorsed her Democratic rival.
“Yes,” Boehner said, flatly.
“This lady clearly has an agenda that’s different from that of the Republican Party,” he added. “She was out there to promote herself.”
Boehner said that like the rest of the GOP establishment, he’s turned his allegiances to the Conservative Party candidate in the race, Doug Hoffman. Boehner said he “looks forward to welcoming” Hoffman into the GOP caucus and said he hopes Hoffman beats Democratic nominee Bill Owens tomorrow.
Asked if he thought the race, which has been seen by many as a battle for the soul of the Republican party, could signal an end to the GOP’s moderate wing, Boehner was dismissive.
“I see no reason why centrists and conservatives won’t be able to work together in the future,” he said.
