Republicans across New York are practically salivating at the prospect of turning New York red at the Governor’s mansion, United States Senate, and at tons of state and local races from Broome to Queens County. It’s the kind of excitement that should raise the brow of New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer, former Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, but the GOP need not worry, he’s one of those politicians so self absorbed that if he was playing right field he wouldn’t see a pop-up until it hit him in the face!
Schumer is also plenty busy trying to secure his party’s leadership (now that polls show the current majority leader is about to lose his seat in a landslide) and is fully immersed in partisan behind closed door discussions that would, he hopes, transform the shape of American healthcare from a market driven industry to a government-run universal program.
The current conservative, freedom loving, flag waving, waive of enthusiasts that unite Americans against big government, large deficits, and wasteful spending, are no doubt part of the reason why Republicans think they can win even in liberal New York. Ironically conservative New Yorkers have been talking about these issues for decades, and for decades the GOP leadership have, all too often ignored them even though the party touts conservative principles in its platform.
The media circus-like race in New York’s 23rd Congressional District this past November is one example of how the GOP has spurned conservatives before. Recall that this was the race that pitted a liberal Republican vs. a Conservative Republican vs. a liberal Democrat. Third party candidate conservative Doug Hoffman in normal circumstances would not have a chance in hell against deep pocketed and intrinsically politically connected – the Republican and Democrat Party respectively – but because he was the only true conservative in the race, this unknown and boring accountant came a hairline away from becoming one of just a handful of third party candidates elected to the United States Congress.
No one could have predicted that the Republican-endorsed candidate Dede Scozzafava would drop out of the race just three days before the election, endorse the Democrat and burn the Republicans, but what happened is more than just a bad turn of events, it is a result of choosing the wrong candidate to begin with. And it appears they are about to make the same mistake in New York’s 19th Congressional District race this year.
Nan Hayworth is seeking the nomination of the Republican Party in her endeavor to unseat Democrat John Hall. Previous to the election of Hall in 08, the seat was held by a Republican for twelve years. All things considered, it’s a winnable seat.
UrbanElephants.com reports that the “[National Republican Campaign Committee] sees Hayworth as a tremendously unimpressive and uninspiring candidate who has not warmed to local party support and is considered too liberal to get the grassroots base excited.” Now is probably the time for the state party to start looking for a new candidate lest they lose much needed resources and support from the national campaign operation.
Daniel Peterson goes on to say “The NRCC, which had been very optimistic about GOP chances in New York, is disappointed with the state and will begin to focus on other districts across the country. Unless a better candidate steps forward immediately and shows an ability to build true party support, the New York GOP will flounder in a year where congressional wins are expected everywhere.”
I have a few suggestions for the GOP:
a) Look for a candidate that is not a wealthy liberal;
b) Is likable enough to get the support of the tea party and conservative movement; and
c) Is serious about real change in New York and in Washington.
Mr. Cox – it’s a pop-up, put your glove out and catch the ball!
(cross posted from www.raquelokyay.com)
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