The G.O.P. Stalinists Invade Upstate New York
By FRANK RICH
NYT
BARACK OBAMA’S most devilish political move since the 2008 campaign was to appoint a Republican congressman from upstate New York as secretary of the Army. This week’s election to fill that vacant seat has set off nothing less than a riotous and bloody national G.O.P. civil war. No matter what the results in that race on Tuesday, the Republicans are the sure losers. This could be a gift that keeps on giving to the Democrats through 2010, and perhaps beyond.
The governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia were once billed as the marquee events of Election Day 2009 — a referendum on the Obama presidency and a possible Republican “comeback.” But preposterous as it sounds, the real action migrated to New York’s 23rd, a rural Congressional district abutting Canada. That this pastoral setting could become a G.O.P. killing field, attracting an all-star cast of combatants led by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, William Kristol and Newt Gingrich, is a premise out of a Depression-era screwball comedy. But such farces have become the norm for the conservative movement — whether the participants are dressing up in full “tea party” drag or not.
The battle for upstate New York confirms just how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama. The movement’s undisputed leaders, Palin and Beck, neither of whom have what Palin once called the “actual responsibilities” of public office, would gladly see the Republican Party die on the cross of right-wing ideological purity. Over the short term, at least, their wish could come true.
(More here.)
NYT
BARACK OBAMA’S most devilish political move since the 2008 campaign was to appoint a Republican congressman from upstate New York as secretary of the Army. This week’s election to fill that vacant seat has set off nothing less than a riotous and bloody national G.O.P. civil war. No matter what the results in that race on Tuesday, the Republicans are the sure losers. This could be a gift that keeps on giving to the Democrats through 2010, and perhaps beyond.
The governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia were once billed as the marquee events of Election Day 2009 — a referendum on the Obama presidency and a possible Republican “comeback.” But preposterous as it sounds, the real action migrated to New York’s 23rd, a rural Congressional district abutting Canada. That this pastoral setting could become a G.O.P. killing field, attracting an all-star cast of combatants led by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, William Kristol and Newt Gingrich, is a premise out of a Depression-era screwball comedy. But such farces have become the norm for the conservative movement — whether the participants are dressing up in full “tea party” drag or not.
The battle for upstate New York confirms just how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama. The movement’s undisputed leaders, Palin and Beck, neither of whom have what Palin once called the “actual responsibilities” of public office, would gladly see the Republican Party die on the cross of right-wing ideological purity. Over the short term, at least, their wish could come true.
(More here.)
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1 Comments:
Ah, in the old days, an “A” rating and the endorsement from the NRA should have been enough for a Republican to carry this district … but not for Dede Scozzafava.
This is a clear win for Sean Hannity, RedState and the Club For Growth.
It’s a power shift from the local people in the District to the influence, money and dominance of special interests.
Case-in-point, RedState chastised Pawlenty for not endorsing the Conservative Party candidate defining “Pawlenty stereotype as milquetoast establishment.”
Heaven forbid to be described as “milquetoast”, Governor Pawlenty abdicated to RedState wishes :
“We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail, but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card check and taxes. After reviewing the candidates’ positions, I’m endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York’s special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases, and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections.”
So, Pawlenty is bashing Republicans … would Pawlenty also have bashed John McHugh (R-NY), Peter King (NY), Steve LaTourette (OH), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Thaddeus McCotter (MI), Tim Murphy (PA), Chris Smith (NJ), Don Young (AK), or any of the other Republicans that voted for the EFCA last session ?
While Frank Rich may be correct on a national basis, this “segregation” will help the GOP. It will push it farther toward the “tea party” viewpoint and give those folks an established voice in local districts.
Since this is a non-presidential year, turnout will be lower giving more influence to the “tea partiers”.
Which leads to a question for Minnesotans : Would a “Constitution Party” filled with the RonPaul-ites create a viable fourth option for the gubernatorial contest, such that a split field including the “right” candidate prompt another Ventura-style “Shock the World” victory in 2010 ? If so, is it possible that the MN-GOP candidate could pull a "Dede" and give up a few days prior to the general election in order to stop a DFLer from being elected ?
The key result of the 2010 elections will be re-districting. Will bizarre configurations shape districts allow the revitalized Conservative wing to maintain some districts ?
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