Comments on: Going Rogue in Upstate New York

By: DLS

DLS — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:49:06 +0000

The left is stupidly hyping this election and what it “means” [sic], in part because they're hate-driven as usual (it involves Palin in some way, so that was guaranteed), and it redirects attention by the easily misdirected from the other, more meaningful general results elsewhere in the nation.

This NY election was affected probably by resentment at outsider intrusion — of any kind, not authentic conservatives.

Note that the “Republican” who quit the race, then endorsed the Democrat. How revealing. Also revealing (though not by many an addled leftist, it seems) is that the Conservative Party of New York exists in the first place because “Republicans” there often have been Democrats Lite or even Not So Lite. (“Rockefeller Republican” brings to mind the site of Empire State Plaza, a monument to oversized government, and makes the term a pejorative, and in fact a mark of shame.)

By: Jeff Weidner

Jeff Weidner — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:02:09 +0000

How many people here *honestly* vote for their state governor based on the national political scene? I never voted against a gubernatorial candidate simply because his party was in power at a national level, or to “send a message”. Has anyone here really done that? If so, why would you do that to your state? If not, why would you think people in VA and NJ would have?

By: TheMagicalSkyFather

TheMagicalSkyFather — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:35:37 +0000

Surprise to Palin and Beck, apparently, surprise for anyone that has watched an election before or knows what the term “carpetbagger” refers to, not so much.

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:12:44 +0000

Yeah, Hoffman was a pretty pathetic candidate choice until you compare him to what the mainstream Dems came up with in Virginia and New Jersey.

Always surprising to me when the carpetbagger candidate can't beat the lifelong resident.

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:09:12 +0000

"an inexperienced Conservative with a scared-rabbit persona"

Nailed it! Is this the best the wingnut arm of the GOP could come up with? Embarrassing at the very least.

By: TheMagicalSkyFather

TheMagicalSkyFather — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:42 +0000

I do not think they have anything to do with the Dems in congress or Obama but I do think they are a big win for the GOP brand now that they seem to have been let out of the doghouse, meaning when faced with a dis-liked Dem the GOP is a valid alternative. I am not sure if that is close to how you feel but I would not say this has done much but slowed down the tea parties which were trying to purge moderates. If the extreme elements of the party are calmed I call that a big win since they are much more likely to begin to grab power again running moderates in moderate areas and extremists in extreme areas. This is my long way of saying I think the GOP just avoided( I could be wrong of course) becoming the Whigs but that is all that really changed yesterday but I must admit I am impressed because I thought it would go the other way, meaning Hoffman would win setting the stage for Goldwater 2.0.

By: Jim_Satterfield

Jim_Satterfield — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:49:56 +0000

No, Shannon, you're not the only person who thinks that.

By: shannonlee

shannonlee — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:28:35 +0000

I must be the only person that thinks these races were completely irrelevant in regards to national politics.

Forgotten in a week.

By: tidbits

tidbits — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:28:30 +0000

Only the losing team talks about “covering the spread”.

By: DaMav

DaMav — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:20:40 +0000

Conservatives take on both parties in upstate New York in a district won by Barrack Obama and come within 4 points of victory. Sweet.

By: tidbits

tidbits — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:02 +0000

In NJ, the R ran a moderate/centrist campaign – and won.
In VA, the R ran a moderate/centrist campaign,- and won.
In NY-23, the C/R ran to the purist right – and lost.

Any questions?

By: Rudi

Rudi — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:55:51 +0000

DaMav - Here is what a reason conservative has to say:
http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2009/11/03/the-...

What is more encouraging to me is that the wins by Christie and McDonnell show that competent center-right candidates interested in governance and all those “parochial” local issues can tap into voter discontent and win electoral victories. Hoffman’s possible defeat suggests that campaigns dominated by the presence of national activists, empty sloganeering and indifference to local interests may not gain traction even in those districts that are traditionally inclined to favor the politics of someone like Hoffman. Those of us who would like to see Democratic domestic agendas thwarted without empowering the Palins of the world may have managed to get exactly the results we would wish to have.

Keep up the Hannity/Beck meme and more Blue dog Dems will take swing districts...

By: Davebo

Davebo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:46:11 +0000

Great news! One less Democratic vote in Congress with a Republican label. In a year, the district will be back in Democrat with a Republican label hands.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

By: TheMagicalSkyFather

TheMagicalSkyFather — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:40:06 +0000

Palin may no longer be the gift that keeps on giving for the Dems after last night, well unless no one learns the lesson. Though it does look like many did not learn the lesson I think that the GOP did and the Tea Parties will either be brought in the tent or strangled in the crib if not maybe 2010 will look better for Dems after all.

By: DaMav

DaMav — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:50 +0000

Great news! One less Democratic vote in Congress with a Republican label. In a year, the district will be back in Republican hands. The only ones complaining about this one are the liberals concern trolling Republicans. I'd much rather see Owens voting for Obama's socialist agenda than a nominal Republican.