The national Republican Party is stepping up its efforts to support moderate GOPer Dede Scozzafava in the upcoming NY-23 special election, sending in money and big endorsements — which might just make the current split with the right wing on this race even worse.
Scozzafava is being opposed by not just Democratic candidate Bill Owens, but also by Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who has the support of right-wing groups such as the Club For Growth, the Family Research Council, and conservative bloggers who are incensed at Scozzafava’s liberalism on issues like gay rights and abortion.
The Republican National Committee, after having not put in resources, will now give $85,000 to the coordinated campaign, and transfer an undisclosed six-figure sum to the state GOP to help Scozzafava. In addition, the Scozzafava campaign has rolled out the endorsement of the big conservative icon of the 1990’s, Newt Gingrich himself — which is only making the right-wingers even madder.
Gingrich’s endorsement touts Scozzafava’s conservative credentials:
But now we have a chance to make things right. The special election for the 23rd Congressional District is an important test leading up to the mid-term 2010 elections. Our best chance to put responsible and principled leaders in Washington starts here, with Dede Scozzafava.
Dede has signed Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge. This is the latest in her strong record as a champion of low taxes. As a Member of the State Assembly, Dede voted against Gov. David Paterson’s budget that raised taxes to unprecedented heights and increased spending by more than $10 billion.
Dede has also always been tough on crime and opposes the Left’s big government health care bill currently in Congress. She also supports common sense tort reform that will protect doctors against frivolous lawsuits that are driving up the cost of health care.
So far, the big right-wing voices out there aren’t impressed:
⢠Erick Erickson declared: “Today Newt Gingrich Takes Himself Out of the 2012 Running.”
⢠Michelle Malkin said: “If you have given to the NRCC, RNC, or Newt Gingrich under the impression that they are using the money to support conservatism, you might want to ask for your money back.”
⢠The Club For Growth said: “He does whatever the party committee asks him to. He likes to cultivate this image of being an innovator and a thinker and so on, and then he endorses the most tired, worn-out, special interest-genuflecting candidate you can possibly find.”
Make no mistake that this race will have a huge impact on the direction of the GOP as it attempts to rebuild. If Scozzafava loses due to vote-splitting with Hoffman — or if Hoffman were to win — the message would be loud and clear: The Republican Party will not be allowed to nominate moderate candidates anywhere, for any office in the land.
