New York, Moderates and the GOP
Top Stories from CQ — ... acknowledged Sunday that the situation in New York’s 23rd District race is “pretty unusual” but the message remains that Republicans accept “moderates in our party.” In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Boehner, R-Ohio, discussed Republican Dede Scozzafava’s decision on Saturday to suspend her campaign in Tuesday’s special election for the seat left open by GOP former Rep. John M. McHugh , now secretary of the Army. On Sunday afternoon, Scozzafava released a statement supporting Democrat Bill Owens in the race. “You know me, and throughout my ...

No Doubt About It: Scozzafava Endorses Dem
Hotline On Call — ... Assemb. Dede Scozzafava (R) -- who had reportedly been telling those close to her to support atty Bill Owens (D) -- has now publicly backed the Dem in Tuesday's special election. ...

Scozzafava Endorses Democratic Candidate In NY-23
Below The Beltway — The race in New York’s 23rd Congressional District just keeps getting more interesting: Scozzafava released the following statement at 2 :06 p.m.: I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday. Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly. You know me, and throughout my career, I have been ...

NY-23: Scozzafava Endorses Owens
Delaware Liberal — The GOP war is now fully engaged: Scozzafava released the following statement at 2 :06 p.m.: I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday. Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly. You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice ...

It's Official: Scozzafava Endorses The Democrat Against Hoffman
Ace of Spades HQ — It's Official: Scozzafava Endorses The Democrat Against Hoffman And there it is. You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it’s about the people of this District. It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same. It’s not in the ...

Somebody Call the Waaahmbulance for the Nutless NuConservatives (UPDATED)
Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler — ... strategy for eight long years, and all it got us was… Well, look around you. If you think that us “purists” are going to let you pursue that even further , then you have a second thing coming. Playtime is over, you Inbred Imbecilic Ignoramuses. If you can’t live with that, then by all means go caucus with the Donks, because that’s exactly the effect your policies have had so far. Giving power to the Democrats. Might as well join their party and be honest about it. Thatisall. UPDATE: This just in , courtesy of ...

NY-23: Scozzafava Backs Owens
Swing State Project — Breaking now: It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same. It's not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to provide the leadership and continuity of support to Drum Country just as John did ...

This Was Inevitable
Balloon Juice — Nothing surprising about this (via the GOS): It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same. It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh’s lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to provide the leadership and continuity of support to Drum Country just as John ...

NY-23: Republican drop-out Scozzafava endorses Democrat Owens
Open Left - Quick Hits's RSS Feed — The Republican drop-out in NY-23 has endorsed the Democrat Bill Owens. I am wary of this endorsement, because right-winger Hoffman will probably still win. As such, all this endorsement does is allow the teabaggers to claim victory against a bipartisan, establishment coalition. Basically, it keeps all the "populist" energy--even if it is backed up by huge money--on the conservative side.

PROVING HER CRITICS RIGHT: Scozzafava Endorses Democrat….
Instapundit — PROVING HER CRITICS RIGHT: Scozzafava Endorses Democrat.

GOP candidate endorses Democratic rival in N.Y.
Political Animal — ... . Scozzafava said in a statement released about an hour ago. "You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it's about the people of this District. "It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same. "It's not in the cards for me ...

Scuzzy Flavor Endorses Democratic Opponent
Commonsense & Wonder — After dropping out of the NY-23 race on Saturday, Dede Scozzafava endorsed her Democratic and not her Conservative Party opponent who has the backing of Republicans following her departure. Kind of proves what everyone has been saying all along doesn't it? That she is a RINO (supported card check and the stimulus) and would be someone who would likely pull a Specter down the road. ...

Scozzafava Endorses Democrat Bill Owens
Weekly Standard Blog — The Watertown Daily Times posts Scozzafava's endorsement of Democrat Bill Owens--a big development in the NY-23 race: I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday. Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly. You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice ...

BREAKING NEWS: Scozzafava Throws Support to Democrat Owens
NewsBusters.org - Exposing Liberal Media Bias — Dede Scozzafava, the Republican and Independence Parties' candidate for the 23rd Congressional District of New York state who suspended her campaign Saturday, announced moments ago she was throwing her support behind Democrat candidate Bill Owens rather than the Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman. This should make liberal media members ecstatic for the next 48 hours. Scozzafava just released the following statement to the Watertown Daily Times (h/t Tweeter NYfitter): I want to thank you for your support and friendship. ...

Scozzafava Backs Owens in NY-23
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire — Dede Scozzafava (R), who dropped out of the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district yesterday, just endorsed Bill Owens (D) over Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.

BREAKING: Scozzafava Officially Endorses Owens In NY-23
Firedoglake — The Watertown Daily News has the statement from Dede Scozzafava: Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a ...

Scozzafava Shows True Colors
The Jawa Report — November 01, 2009 Scozzafava Shows True Colors Dede Scozzafava, the erstwhile Republican nominee to represent New York's 23rd district, has endorsed the Democrat candidate after withdrawing from the race. No word yet on what sort of payoff Scozzafava will get for her whoring herself out to the American Marxist Left: A Democratic source said that Scozzafava and her husband, Ronald P. McDougall, met with U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D-Huntington, and state Democratic Committee Chairwoman June F. O’Neill at a restaurant in Gouverneur on Saturday afternoon to discuss the endorsement. ...

SCOZZAFAVA THROWS SUPPORT TO OWENS
Democratic Underground Latest Breaking News — Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY) "Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly. You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it's about the people of this District. It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you ...

Scozzafava Endorses Owens
Power Line — ... Vindicating all who criticized her as an unsuitable Republican nominee, Dede Scozzafava, having suspended her fading campaign yesterday, endorsed Democrat Bill Owens today. ...

Scozzafava (Not R Enough) Backs Owens (D) in NY-23
The Political Carnival — Fight!! Dede Scozzafava (R), who dropped out of the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district yesterday, just endorsed Bill Owens (D) over Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. Andrew Sullivan: "Her Republican supporters would normally go to the Conservative Party candidate, Hoffman. But Hoffman's unfavorables among Scozzafava voters are higher than Owen's. Polls suggest that Hoffman is soaring; but the local paper's endorsement of Owens (after backing Scozzafava) and now Scozzafava's following suit may create a new dynamic. I don't know. I'm not from ...

NY-23: Did Doug Hoffman Throw The Democrats A Lifeline?
Daily Kos — For all intents and purposes, the special election to replace Republican Congressman John McHugh should have been over the second GOP nominee DeDe Scozzafava decided to fall on her sword and drop out of the election. With the battle between Democrat Bill Owens and third-party insurgent candidate Doug Hoffman within the margin of error, Hoffman should have picked off the bulk of the Republican vote from Scozzafava's remaining core group of supporters, and that should have been the ball game. Few people suspected that in an historically Republican district, Owens could survive without split opposition. But, then, by virtue ...

Benedict Dede
Blue Crab Boulevard — ... So much for remaining a proud Republican. Scozzafava has turned her coat and endorsed the Democrat in NY-23 . It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same. It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh’s lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to ...

BREAKING: Scozzafava endorses Owens
Stop The ACLU — ... by liberals, see. You don’t get fame and notoriety and goody bags just by serving your constituents and adhering to your conservative principles. That gets you mostly scorn and very little reward — except, of course, the reward of knowing you’ve stuck by your principles and served your country as a person with dignity, integrity, and honor. It’s just hard to find politicians like that these days, and when we do, they’re spurned by the GOP establishment. In today’s breaking news, Dede Scozzafava has endorsed Democrat Bill Owens in the NY-23 race. After bowing out of the 23rd ...

Three Big Questions in NY-23
FiveThirtyEight: Politics Done Right — Let me disclaim that the utterly fascinating special election in NY-23 has become nearly impossible to forecast. Special elections, with their low turnout, are intrinsically pretty difficult to predict. So are multi-candidate races. And certainly, races where there are substantial late-breaking developments -- such as the Republican candidate dropping out four days before the election and endorsing her Democratic rival -- present especial difficulties for forecasters. Here, you have all three of those circumstances, producing a perfect storm of uncertainty. Not only will I ...

Former GOP Candidate Scozzafava Officially Throws Her Support to Dem Owens After Talks With Chuck Shhumer
Gateway Pundit — Dede Scazzafava officially endorsed democrat Bill Owens today after she held discussions with democratic New York Senator Charles Schumer. The Watertown Daily News reported: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., was among those who urged Dierdre K. Scozzafava to endorse Democratic congressional candidate William L. Owens, the senator’s spokesman said Saturday. The spokesman, Maxwell Young, said the senator called a number of north country political leaders after Ms. Scozzafava suspended her campaign and had more than one conversation with the ...

Scozzafava Stabs Hoffman In The Back, Endorses Democrat Candidate
Say Anything — ... And remember, people, Scozzafava was the candidate the Republican establishment originally wanted to win this election. ...

Scozzafava Proves Conservatives Right
Blogs For Victory — She endorses the Democrat: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., was among those who urged Dierdre K. Scozzafava to endorse Democratic congressional candidate William L. Owens, the senator’s spokesman said Saturday. The spokesman, Maxwell Young, said the senator called a number of north country political leaders after Ms. Scozzafava suspended her campaign and had more than one conversation with the Republican candidate ahead of her announcement. He said the senator also called other Democratic leaders about the situation, including White House Chief ...

NY-23: Bookerista Perspectives
Booker Rising — ... Scozzafava was going to vote with House Minority Leader Boehner if she won. Boy does [sic] Newt and others have some serious egg on their faces right now. I know all about how moderate and liberal Republicans operate. At the end of the day, they are still moderates and liberals first. Dede Scozzafava is a hardcore liberal. That is her core. That wasn't going to magically change i[f] she won Tuesday. So it didn't shock me and it shouldn't be shock[ing] to conservatives and the GOP that Dede has now thrown her support behind Democrat Bill Owens. Some are now calling a her a ...

NY-23: Scozzafava Endorses Democratic Candidate
Lakeshore Laments — And there were people questioning those of us who said "You know, there's talk if she won she'd just become a Democrat..." So, Dede Scozzafava; one day after dropping out of the race for New York's 23rd Congressional District, goes and proves those folks right by endorsing Democrat Bill Owens. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., was among those who urged Dierdre K. Scozzafava to endorse Democratic congressional candidate William L. Owens, the senator’s spokesman said Saturday. The spokesman, Maxwell Young, said the senator called a number of north country political leaders after ...

The Final Straw
Daily Pundit — Watertown Daily Times | HOFFMAN CALLS SCOZZAFAVA A ‘TURNCOAT’ Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., was among those who urged Dierdre K. Scozzafava to endorse Democratic congressional candidate William L. Owens, the senator’s spokesman said Saturday. Irritating GOP moderates will probably portray her endorsement of Democrat Bill Owens as a disaster for Doug Hoffman, but frankly, they aren’t very bright. (Most “moderates” aren’t). In fact, this will absolutely seal the deal for Hoffman, by ...

Flopping Aces — ... supporters in advance of Tuesday’s special election to fill the vacant congressional seat in New York’s 23rd district. At the time, Ms. Scozzofava said: “I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that with my actions today, my Party will emerge stronger.” Obviously that statement had about as much truth in it as her promise that if elected she would fight to hold down taxes. On Sunday, Scozzofava made another statement in which she ditched any pretense at being a Republican and declared: ...

Does this mean Michael Steele gets his million bucks back?
QandO — ... Dede Scozzafava, who suspended her House campaign earlier this week, in the face of rising discontent from Republican rank and file voters over her candidacy in the conservative NY-23 district, made the following statement this afternoon: ...

No More Mister Nice Blog — ... even after Republican Dede Scozzafava's decision to endorse Democrat Bill Owens, in a district that's long been Republican but supported Barack Obama in 2008. ...

Scozzafava endorses Owens, rejects Republican extremism
The Reaction — ... As most of you who follow this sort of thing have surely heard by now, Dede Scozzafava, the Republican who dropped out of the House race in NY-23 yesterday, has endorsed not the Conservative (and new Republican) candidate, Doug Hoffman, but the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens. ...

Scozzofava Officially Backs Owens
Little Green Footballs — It’s official: Republican Dede Scozzofava has endorsed Democrat Bill Owen in the NY-23 special election. Doug Hoffman’s camp is calling her a traitor, but they were doing that already. Those in the camp of the Conservative candidate Douglas L. Hoffman called Ms. Scozzafava a turncoat. “This afternoon Dede Scozzafava betrayed the GOP,“ Senior Communications Advisor Rob Ryan said in a statement. “She endorsed a Pelosi Democrat who will spend more, tax more, and push the liberal agenda that is dragging down this ...

Once a RINO, Always a Democrat
No Runny Eggs — After Dede Scozzafava announced that she was suspending her campaign, I thought it was odd that she didn’t immediately endorse Hoffman.  In fact, you can see my comment about that in my Saturday post.  I guess this was just another of those “call me Carnac” moments. On Sunday, Scozzafava endorsed the Democrat in the race, Bill Owens.  In attempting to explain her endorsement, Scozzafava wrote: You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our ...

Scozzafava Endorses Democrat Owens
Outside The Beltway | OTB — ... Well, now Scozzafava has endorsed Democrat Bill Owens over Conservative Doug Hoffman in a press release. ...

Reason Morning Links: A Gripping Election in New York, a Disintegrating Election in Afghanistan, and an Old Election in Nevada
Hit & Run — ... • NY-23's freshly withdrawn Republican endorses the Democrat over the Conservative. • CIT Group files for bankruptcy. • Republicans prepare their own health care bill. • The Afghan runoff is cancelled after the president's opponent exits the race. • The White House and members of the press reach a compromise on a media shield law. • Artificial snow falls in China. • Late-breaking news from Nevada: Ron Paul won. (His audit-the-Fed bill, on the ...

Strange Brew: GOP war clouds comeback picture
The Note — ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: We knew the road to 2010 ran through 2009 -- but we didn't know it had this particular (right) turn. The war in New York's 23rd congressional district claimed a casualty even before Tuesday's election. That guarantees that the Republican Party's power vacuum/identity crisis comes into full view ...

Anyone can rat
Stubborn Facts — ... those following only loosely, Scozzafaza obtained the GOP nomination in the NY23 House race in a process that demonstrates aptly why reformers who dislike the American primary system haven't thought it through. She was accused of being a liberal, and promptly came brow to brow with a GOP rebellion and a third party conservative candidate who garnered endorsements from folks like Sarah Palin. When Scozzafaza's numbers sunk, she announced her withdrawal, which was honorable. She then endorsed the Democratic candidate, which was not, and in doing so, confirmed the aptness of every ...

Shocker: Scozzafava endorses Democrat in NY-23 race
Sister Toldjah — ... A bitter liberal Republican throws her support behind the Democrat. Who’da thought? The Watertown Daily Times reports: ...

Scozzafava Endorses Owens, Rejects Republican Extremism
The Moderate Voice — ... As most of you who follow this sort of thing have surely heard by now, Dierdre “Dede” Scozzafava, the Republican who dropped out of the House race in NY-23 on Saturday, has endorsed not the Conservative (and new Republican) candidate, Doug Hoffman, but the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens. ...

Can’t Buy Me Love
Neptunus Lex — What does a million dollars in RNC campaign funding buy in upstate New York? Not a lot of love from “Republican” Dede Scozzafava: After bowing out of the 23rd Congressional race Saturday, Republican Scozzafava released the following statement today at 2 :06 p.m.: I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday. Since announcing the suspension of ...

You, Me, Dede, And NY-23... Oh, Yeah, And Newt And Issa
DownWithTyranny! — ... Issa and other right-wing extremists keep referring to "Democrat" Bill Owens as a "leftist." If only! On many issues-- primarily social-- he is significantly to the right of Scozzafava. Overall, though, his kind of cautious and turgid reactionary bent puts him closer to Scozzafava than Hoffman is. Except for her lifelong fealty to the Republican Party, her endorsement of Owens yesterday shouldn't come as a surprise. And if she winds up switching parties, no doubt Sheldon Silver and Andrew Cuomo are going to be delighted to welcome her onboard. ...

NY-23: The Final Day of A Truly Bizarre Campaign
Daily Kos — Few elections have seen as many bizarre undulations in its final days as the special election in upstate New York to replace former Republican Congressman John McHugh. It began as a fairly pedestrian and short campaign cycle, where Republican legislator DeDe Scozzafava was expected to prevail over Democratic attorney Bill Owens, a political rookie. Democrats pinned their hopes on a potential spoiler in little-known accountant Doug Hoffman, appointed as a protest gesture by the Conservative Party (the Conservative Party typically, although not always, cross-endorses the GOP nominee). Hoffman, in short order, became a cause ...