Sigh.
Doug Hoffman is giving his concession speech. He said he called Bill Owens to congratulate him.
What a shame. But he sure did fire up the grass roots and ran a great campaign. He closed with “This was only one fight in the battle. …Let’s make sure we make our voices heard and that we stand up!”
I hope New York Republicans, the RNC and the NRCC learn a lesson from this episode.
Update: No video available. The Watertown Daily Times has a short piece about Hoffman’s concession.
Update: The Wall Street Journal has the story, and notes the implications for the two parties in DC. “For Mr. Obama’s Democrats, political momentum was at stake. For the GOP, it was a question of how successful candidates backed by Tea Party activists could be in more moderate parts of the country.” Democrats’ momentum was crushed today in New Jersey and Virginia. The NY 23 election isn’t a test for Republican Tea Party activists. The Republican Party spent hundreds of thousands attacking Doug Hoffman, only to lend him a little support at the end. So it shouldn’t be assumed that this is some sort of repudiation of Tea Party activists.
Reagan didn’t win the first time either.
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With this being a special election, there was no primary. Only 30 days recognition for Hoffman. Unions fought hard.
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I’ve sent my message to Newt. Conservatives won the battle of principle. Had the GOP leadership gotten behind Hoffman he would have won nicely. $900,000 to Scozzafava. Disgraceful.
I hope Gingrich has the class to admit this.
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That being said, I wonder if this chaotic episode in election history could be a lesson for tea-partiers who lean right. If the Republican candidate is viable, go with him/her. For instance, Charlie Crist in Florida was respectful to Obama. He is also socially conservative. Bob McDonnell is socially and fiscally conservative, but did not campaign on anything social. Chris Christie is not absolutely conservative on gun rights. But are we glad he won New Jersey’s governorship?
I am thoroughly in agreement with fiscal and social conservatism and limited government. However, should we make this an exclusive club? Lots of people don’t go to church for that reason. Something to think about anyway.
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Andrew – let’s hope he runs again next year. Maybe he’ll move to our district and run agains that Buffoon, Dan Maffei.
Maggie – Good for you.
Soldier – I tend to agree, but Dede was far too liberal on all fronts. Social and fiscal. What a loser. She wouldn’t have been any better than Owens. All she managed to do was drain nearly a million bucks from the RNC.
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Oh, and thanks everyone for sticking around. I planned to go to sleep hours ago but couldn’t tear myself away. Gotta run, 7 AM will be here in no time.
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