NY-23: Local Paper Says Hoffman ‘Co-Opted by Right-Wing Politicians’
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 10:50 am
The Watertown Daily Times, the big paper in the sprawling 23rd district of New York, today endorses GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava for the special election. Democratic candidate Bill Owens is ruled out because he has “too much to learn” about the district. Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman gets roughed up.
Mr. Hoffman, an accountant and businessman who lives outside the district in Lake Placid, has harnessed a national firestorm of conservative dismay with government. But his ideological stands could harm the district. An example: He has sworn on principle not to request congressional earmarks even though they were essential to raise federal funds for the expansion and improvement of Fort Drum. Would he hew to this stand at the expense of the district which has benefited mightily from Drum’s development?
When asked a series of questions about the district last week, Mr. Hoffman drew blanks in several areas. We cannot wait for Mr. Hoffman, who has been co-opted by the right-wing national politicians, to do his homework.
You can expect conservatives to point out that the paper endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket in 2008. Still, this makes a raw issue out of the surge of conservative endorsements for Hoffman. Remember, one of Hoffman’s ads stars Fred Thompson, a former senator whose only connection to New York is his old role in “Law and Order.”
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17 Comments
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Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 11:29 am
Juvenile analysis from the local paper up there. That's the taxpayers' money from all over the country. If those improvements are so essential, the local district should raise the funds itself.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 11:33 am
The local community should raise the funds for the improvement of US Military base there? Really?
By the by, military aid to Israel technically fall under the “earmarks” territory. I suppose the GOP will recommend that Israel raise the funds themselves? No? Didn't think so.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 11:48 am
Nothing juvenile about it.
The Congressman is being elected to represent a district, not the Conservative Tea Baggers Party of America. Knowledge of local issues is the most basic requirement.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 11:57 am
Hoffman is also too cowardly to attend a debate with the other two candidates: http://bit.ly/4pS7lj
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
An earmark is an earmark. None of them are valid regardless of how nice it makes the locals feel. The question I have is why isn't the military base being paid for by the military appropriations? We need politicians that don't take from the many (federal taxes) to benefit the few (earmarks). That is criminal.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
The “Omnibus” bill passed by this administration was the latest bill to appropriate billions of dollars to Israel for military aid. Pretty much “Omnibus” equals “Earmark”, I agree. And giving money away to countries is just as wrong as giving it to counties in the US. If a country has something we want to buy and they are in good standing with us then we will buy their products – international trade. Then they can spend that money on anything they want. Just giving them money for nothing is “cents-less”.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Earmarks are bribes. Congressmen get these bribes to change their vote on a specific bill they otherwise would not vote for. Each earmark should be brought before a court of law and prosecuted as the bribe it is.
“Tea Baggers” is a sexually offensive slang term that is bandied about by people with no valid argument otherwise. Grow-up db.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
The article says, “Remember, one of Hoffman’s ads stars Fred Thompson, a former senator whose only connection to New York is his old role in “Law and Order.”
“
So what?
Hell..here in New York, we've ELECTED, as our US Senators, individuals who had NO previous association with New York!!
Ever hear of Hillary Clinton and Bobby Kennedy?
So..why is it a big deal if Hoffman gets an endorsement from a major GOP figure..who happens to live outside NY?
Thompson's TV ads supporting Hoffman started airing a few days ago.
Has anyone but me noticed..that even the Daily Kos' recent poll shows Hoffman surging?
Thompson is widely admired in the GOP. His endorsement can only help Hoffman.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Juvenile analysis from the local paper up there. That's the taxpayers' money from all over the country. If those improvements are so essential, the local district should raise the funds itself.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
The local community should raise the funds for the improvement of US Military base there? Really?
By the by, military aid to Israel technically fall under the “earmarks” territory. I suppose the GOP will recommend that Israel raise the funds themselves? No? Didn't think so.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Nothing juvenile about it.
The Congressman is being elected to represent a district, not the Conservative Tea Baggers Party of America. Knowledge of local issues is the most basic requirement.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Hoffman is also too cowardly to attend a debate with the other two candidates: http://bit.ly/4pS7lj
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
An earmark is an earmark. None of them are valid regardless of how nice it makes the locals feel. The question I have is why isn't the military base being paid for by the military appropriations? We need politicians that don't take from the many (federal taxes) to benefit the few (earmarks). That is criminal.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
The “Omnibus” bill passed by this administration was the latest bill to appropriate billions of dollars to Israel for military aid. Pretty much “Omnibus” equals “Earmark”, I agree. And giving money away to countries is just as wrong as giving it to counties in the US. If a country has something we want to buy and they are in good standing with us then we will buy their products – international trade. Then they can spend that money on anything they want. Just giving them money for nothing is “cents-less”.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Earmarks are bribes. Congressmen get these bribes to change their vote on a specific bill they otherwise would not vote for. Each earmark should be brought before a court of law and prosecuted as the bribe it is.
“Tea Baggers” is a sexually offensive slang term that is bandied about by people with no valid argument otherwise. Grow-up db.
Comment posted October 29, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
The article says, “Remember, one of Hoffman’s ads stars Fred Thompson, a former senator whose only connection to New York is his old role in “Law and Order.”
“
So what?
Hell..here in New York, we've ELECTED, as our US Senators, individuals who had NO previous association with New York!!
Ever hear of Hillary Clinton and Bobby Kennedy?
So..why is it a big deal if Hoffman gets an endorsement from a major GOP figure..who happens to live outside NY?
Thompson's TV ads supporting Hoffman started airing a few days ago.
Has anyone but me noticed..that even the Daily Kos' recent poll shows Hoffman surging?
Thompson is widely admired in the GOP. His endorsement can only help Hoffman.
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