| I'm afraid I can see both sides in this whizzing contest. The Publicans lost control of Congress because they were trying to act like Dems, something the Dems do ever so much better. Therefore they should be acting like Publicans if they want to regain control, which doesn't mean putting time, money, and other resources behind an Olympia Snow clone or, worse, a new Arlen Specter. On the other hand, to rebuild their missing majority they've got to elect somebody. Without the headcount they're in the minority by definition. Supporting the third party in a two-party system's a sure enough recipe for disaster. The time and place to have had this fight should have been in the primaries, where Publicans are free to throw pies at each other, kick, bite, scratch, and call names. Once you've settled on a nominee you should get behind him/her/it. If you had the good sense to nominate an actual Publican in the primaries that makes it easier. |
In endorsing Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman in the Nov. 3 contest, Santorum joined former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes, all of whom announced their backing for the conservative third-party candidate this week.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty suggested Friday that he might be the next well-known Republican to break with the party establishment and support Hoffman. When asked about the race Friday during an interview with ABC, he expressed frustration with GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava and said he will "probably" endorse in the race.
Scozzafava, a state assemblywoman who supports gay marriage, abortion rights and has a close relationship with leading labor officials in her region, has been the target of sustained criticism from conservatives who claim that she is so liberal that they cannot in good conscience support her candidacy. As evidence, they point to her unofficial endorsement from the leading liberal blog Daily Kos.
While Scozzafava can point to many other prominent conservatives who support her bid--including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill--this week's surge of leading conservatives to Hoffman's camp is a troubling sign for her campaign and the national GOP establishment since several of the recent Hoffman endorsers have significant followings and represent the most energetic part of the Republican base.
"I would prefer to not have to go up to New York to endorse and campaign for the conservative candidate. But Republicans lost the race when they nominated Dede," Armey told POLITICO.