The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : NY23: Hoffman Surprised by 'Overwhelming' National Support

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NY23: Hoffman Surprised by 'Overwhelming' National Support

By Robert Stacy McCain on 10.22.09 @ 4:58PM

SYRACUSE, N.Y.

"I got into this race to win it," 23rd District congressional candidate Doug Hoffman said today at a press conference here when asked if he was surprised by his recent surge in the upstate New York special election. "Most of all, I'm surprised by the support we're getting nationwide. . . . It's overwhelming. I never expected it."

Indeed, as endorsements have poured in -- and Michelle Malkin and other conservatives have begun to demand the withdrawal of liberal Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava -- the momentum in NY23 appears to have shifted decisively toward Hoffman.

Hoffman appeared this afternoon with former House Majority Leader Dick Armey at a press conference in front of the Federal Building in Syracuse, where the Conservative Party candidate endorsed the flat tax. "Even though I'm a CPA, the flat tax is the way to create an environment for economic growth," said Hoffman, noting that simplifying the tax code would result in a substantial loss of tax-preparation business for his firm.

Armey said that Scozzafava lost the election "the day she was elected," since her record and policy stances place her far outside the mainstream of the conservative 23rd District. Armey expressed the hope that "the Republicans will learn a lesson" from the defeat of Scozzafava.

Local volunteers supporting the Hoffman campaign got a pep talk Wednesday night from Armey at an event in nearby Cicero, N.Y., reported by Nina Wegner of the Syracuse Post-Standard:

"You're sitting right in the eye of the storm. This country is at a crossroads," Armey told the group. "We have a special election. This is the game-changer. We've struggled with a Republican party ... that has lost its way. They don't remember about Reagan ... they don't remember about small government. They let their thinking be controlled by self-serving political objects. And frankly, they made a lot of fools out of themselves."

There is a strong feeling of momentum for the Hoffman campaign, but there have been some bumps in the road, including a contentious interview today with the publisher of the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily News. Despite the "fireworks" during that interview, however, nobody called the police.

View all comments (13) | Leave a comment

SoCon| 10.22.09 @ 5:45PM

Maybe there's hope for the STUPID PARTY after all. I sure hope so. We have to be strong and stand up for Conservatism; we have to do it now!

NO MORE RINOS!!

Eric Dondero| 10.22.09 @ 9:01PM

Hey this is great news for us hardline Rightwingers. But how about a little fair play?

There's a race for Durham, NC City Council same day. It's a run-off. A shocker! The Libertarian Party candidate placed 2nd and now advances to the final round against a horrible statist liberal Democrat.

Guy's name is Matt Drew. He's an IT professional. Solid Hayekian. Not at all a wierdo Libertarian either. Real family guy.

How about the Republican Party of North Carolina formally endorsing his candidacy?

There's no Republican in the race. Only a Libertarian vs. a Democrat.

This is a no brainer! And the Conservatives have just opened up Pandora's Box on the 3rd party front with Hoffman.

Don't just back Conservative 3 party candidates,VOTE LIBERTARIAN TOO!!

tollen| 10.22.09 @ 9:26PM

Sarah Palin on her facebook page posted the Hoffman endorsement! YEAH!

Spicy Joker| 10.22.09 @ 11:56PM

This guy Hoffman doesn't have a prayer. There are too many fools who aren't following this and will just vote for the Repubic. Plus, Gingrich has sold out and endorsed the Repubic.

Sassy| 10.23.09 @ 1:33AM

Fatalism is for losers, you may as well just bend over and grab your ankles.

ROTB| 10.23.09 @ 2:55AM

Speak your courage man! Hide your fears. You're better than this.

When has it even been acceptable to give up in the face of evil? Scozzafava got a tidy promise from some unseen puppet master, to pretend to be Republican enough to get elected. I pity her, that her cynicism has overwhelmed her to the point of selling out at this level: Not even standing overtly for what she believes, but lying to get elected.

Man's heart does not change over-night. If you make it a point to believe your Bible, fight despair, speak courage to yourself and others, you will be a new person. Guaranteed.

Mary Ann| 10.23.09 @ 2:16AM

Good for Armey. Newt and his mistress-cum-third wife are really missing the boat on this one. I think they are more concerned that we just follow our leaders (and send them the donations they need to enjoy their nice lifestyles) like good little sheep, just like wives are supposed to do when they are cheated on by their scoundrelly husbands.

Tim| 10.23.09 @ 8:34AM

Gingrich has a nice living raising funds for himself but when it comes time to do something he backs up the same brain dead, back scratching crony GOP that ran themslves right off a cliff.

anne m erskine| 10.23.09 @ 8:35AM

The republican Party just like the United States belongs to the people, not the idiots who are trying to destroy them both! Thank God for Armey, Malkin, Hillyer and the rest who speak out - KEEP FIGHTING AMERICA AND TAKE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND OUR BELOVED UNITED STATES BACK - we CAN do this.
One man with courage makes a majority - let's make that one nation - FIGHT OR DIE. No other options exist! God bless the USA and our military!

Tim| 10.23.09 @ 9:33AM

Has Olympia Snow endorsed a candidate?

Bob Belvedere| 10.23.09 @ 10:40AM

Quoted from and linked to at:
23 SKIDOO III

Larry| 10.24.09 @ 7:21AM

The author of this slobbery piece is openly campaigning for Hoffman on his personal blog, and openly attacking Scozzafava. He's soliciting contributions and volunteers for Hoffman, for crying out loud. Why have you assigned coverage of this three-way race to somebody who's shilling for one of the candidates? In this piece, McCain takes a shot at his candidate's opponent for calling the police on a persistent reporter, but doesn't report that his candidate told the Watertown Daily News that reporters shouldn't ask him any questions they haven't submitted in advance. What the hell kind of journalism is the Spectator practising?