With polling now showing NY-23 has come down to a two man race between Hoffman and Owens, the Democrat, momentum is clearly in Hoffman’s favor.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is now adding to the momentum becoming the first sitting Republican Governor to endorse Hoffman. This comes on the heels of Sarah Palin’s endorsement from last week.
What makes this stand out even more than the Palin endorsement is that Pawlenty has not been seen as diverging with the Republican establishment. He’s not seen as the maverick that Palin is.
But Pawlenty has a huge amount of stature inside the Republican establishment, more so than Palin. That he is now willing to come out in favor of Hoffman is going to resonate among the Republican establishment in ways Palin’s endorsement will not.
And it now sets up battle lines for 2012. I still don’t think Palin is going to run, but even were she, we now have two candidates, a former Governor and Vice Presidential candidate and a sitting Governor and potential 2012 candidate breaking with the establishment in favor of the Republican base.
Governor Pawlenty sent RedState the following statement:
“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.”
Now we’re going to have to ask where the other 2012 candidates are. Who else is willing to be brave and bold. Who else will defy the beltway and stand with the heartland? Conservative activists have legitimately made New York’s 23rd Congressional District a Hill to Die On. The GOP establishment must know that it will either win with us or lose without us.
And now we are seeing who is willing to stand with us on this Hill. Tim Pawlenty, today, proves he is willing to put principle above party. Tim Pawlenty is willing to stand with the Republican Base, the tea party activists, and the Conservative Movement.
When 2012 rolls around, Palin and Pawlenty’s boldness will be remembered. Which of the other potential candidates will side with conservatives over the beltway establishment?
And we should also remember Fred Thompson, the Club for Growth, Dick Armey, Rick Santorum, Steve Forbes and other real conservatives — all of whom have gone all in for Doug Hoffman.
Palin = proactive; Pawlenty = reactive.
Third Street Monday, October 26th at 3:11PM EDT (link)Sorry, Tim; I’m glad you finally decided to back the winning horse (and I am more convinced by the day that Hoffman will pull away) but at this point it smacks of moistening the ol’ finger and sticking it in the air.
Hey, let's keep it in check
Erick Erickson Monday, October 26th at 3:14PM EDT (link)I did say the other day that Palin won and Pawlenty failed.
But now we need to ask about Romney, why won’t Huckabee endorse, etc.
I’m willing to give till Wednesday for candidates to get on. At least at this point Pawlenty’s endorsement will still have an impact with voters.
After Wednesday morning it’s just for show.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?
Pawlenty
dhorowitz3 Monday, October 26th at 3:17PM EDT (link)I agree. We need to take anyone we can get. It all helps. I definitely feel that this was more politically charged (based on his comments last week) than ideologically charged like Palin, but that the heck. At least he has come home. This is more than we can say for Newty.
I agree Pawlenty is doing what's expedient only...
writeblock Monday, October 26th at 3:48PM EDT (link)This has been the problem all along–Republicans who say one thing to get elected and do another once elected. Pawlenty is one of these. Romney’s another. Huckabee’s another. It doesn’t really matter what they do in this instance. They view this issue through a pragmatic prism–how it impacts their own ambitions–not from a visceral belief in the principles consservatives espouse.
Trust, once lost,
Steph C Monday, October 26th at 3:21PM EDT (link)is harder to earn the second time around. I give him kudos for standing up for the right thing. However, I’m not willing to accord him full trust just yet.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
ILL write Huckabee and ask why
DavidS1787 Monday, October 26th at 6:08PM EDT (link)n/t
Erick, why bait Mitt into lying?
AHALgal Tuesday, October 27th at 12:14AM EDT (link)You know Pwlenty doesn’t mean it, why watch another fauxservative get cred from the semi-informed?
I don’t get it.
Join the RedState Strike Force
Pawlenty's stock just went up a bit with me.
Vegas_Rick Monday, October 26th at 3:21PM EDT (link)Just a bit, mind you. He’s a little late to this party and his endorsement does feel a little like a wet finger in the wind.
But he did step up. As Erick says, others like Romney and Huckabee have not.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge.
That's good, I suppose
aesthete Monday, October 26th at 3:21PM EDT (link)I wish he’d done it earlier, as Palin did, but at least he did it (unlike two potential GOP Pres candidates).
Guilt is a rope that wears thin.
-Ayn Rand
“I am a freeman in a free state!”
-Last words of Dumnorix, chieftan of the Aedui, 54 BC
A finger in the eye of Newt.
Xasteius Monday, October 26th at 3:23PM EDT (link)At least someone on the Hill is awake.
Don’t leave the party, hijack it back!
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
When I grow up, I don’t want to be Reagan. I want to be Art Chance.
~Aaron Gardner
And, again, for reference, here's a critique of Newt's arguments
ColdWarrior Monday, October 26th at 3:25PM EDT (link)Care of some Dallas Tea Partiers at his book signing event in Texas:
Hat tip to Michelle Malkin:
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/10/23/dallas-tea-party-activists-push-back-against-gingrichs-straw-men/
And, Toby’s cartoon is the “Cartoon of the Day” on Ms. Malkin’s site.
Thank you.
ColdWarrior
http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com
American first, conservative second and Republican precinct committeeman by necessity.
http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com, so you can say, “I became a precinct committeeman before it was cool.”
“Elections have consequences, my friends.” — John McCain
HTDO
Sundayjack Monday, October 26th at 3:38PM EDT (link)Hill to die on, man.
Better late than never
DaMav Monday, October 26th at 3:55PM EDT (link)Pawlenty damaged himself a bit by waffling around but it’s nice to have him aboard the train.
Pawlenty did the right thing
Scope Monday, October 26th at 4:01PM EDT (link)for reasons only he knows. But, once again, Fred took the lead, and stood up for what he believes in, no matter where anyone else was standing. I believe he was one of the first. Don’t know if Fred has any future political aspirations, but, people still listen, when he speaks, and, if that all he continues to do, it is still an important voice for conservatives and conservatism.
Glad to see him come on board
Illinicon Monday, October 26th at 4:11PM EDT (link)While he is late and might be doing it for his own political aspirations atleast unlike Newt, the NRCC, and others atleast he seems to be understanding the base doesnt want Rinoism anymore.
Jindal/Thompson ‘12
Bringing clear Conservative change to America.
It's about time, there, T-Paw,
thetroll01 Monday, October 26th at 4:16PM EDT (link)Better late than never!
As a constituent of yours, I glad to see you’re sort-of coming around. Now, if we can just get you to stop drinking the global warming Kool-Aid, maybe we can go somewhere with this.
Oh where oh where has Romney gone?
tankertodd Monday, October 26th at 4:56PM EDT (link)And Huckabee. Both guys who have Big Government records.
The GOP usually nominates the previous year’s runner-up, which means Romney is in the alleged driver’s seat. Perhaps he doesn’t feel like coming out of his spider hole? You would think the healthcare debate plus his government plan in Massachusetts would make him a cinch to win with the general population. Guess he doesn’t want to chime in.
Are we going to make history and bypass Romney for Pawlenty?
I’m game.
Put Palin on the ticket and you got the Tea Party Movement lined up, energized, and ready for battle.
———————————
The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race - Chief Justice Roberts
Romney's healthcare plan might be why hes in hiding.
gekster Tuesday, October 27th at 1:31AM EDT (link)Hasn’t it been a disaster?
A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.
Way to take a principled stand Timmy...{/sarc}
AceInTX Monday, October 26th at 5:01PM EDT (link)even if it’s a day late and a dollar short…welcome to the table with the big boys…you made it just under the wire..
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Forget Romney, Huckabee, etc.
Ausonius Monday, October 26th at 5:03PM EDT (link)2012 needs new faces, and specifically Conservative candidates, who have the nerve to stand against D.C.-itis and not care what the WaPo and the NY TImes write about them.
Failure to stand for Hoffmann should seal the fate of “Romabee” type candidates.
Gee, Tim finally took his finger out of the wind
Marcus_Traianus Monday, October 26th at 5:17PM EDT (link)ya know, it takes awhile to check with all those party folks and see which way the polls are going. Nothing like hitching to a train that already left the station.
I believe more credit is due to those who were out front, when the outcome was much bleaker.
Is this the old one-two, where the NRCC goes negative on Hoffman and Pawlenty endorses him. Gee, very vexing- it’s no small wonder the average voter in NY can’t figure out what Republican’s stand for. Throw Newt in, and it’s a game of “Suicide Twister”.
Got to go. My brain just self immolated.
“Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object—the public good; but they differ essentially in what they deem the means of promoting that good. One side believes it best done by one composition of the governing powers; the other, by a different one. One fears most the ignorance of the people; the other, the selfishness of rulers independent of them. Which is right, time and experience will prove.”.Thomas Jefferson
Contributor to The Minority Report
Palin/Pawlenty 2012 sounds good to me.
Josh LeGuern Monday, October 26th at 5:32PM EDT (link)The perfect ticket.
The unltimate outsider conservative not afraid to beat down the doors of the Republican establishment. (Palin) and an outsider conservative the beltway crowd is comfortable with. (Pawlenty.)
I'm in..........
idealjoe Monday, October 26th at 7:07PM EDT (link)This country is completely disgusted and disenchanted with the lifetime professional politicians that scurry from the golf course to their yacht and get back just in time for a martini and a message before going out to sleep with their whore girl friends. When is the last time you tried to get a personal appointment with your Senator or Representative.
They are so far above the working class, we’re nothing more than a hindrance to them. We are not in with the in crowd and of course we’re stupid and they have all the answers so to listen to one of us would just be a waste of their precious time.
I know there are some, honest ,politicians that really try to do the right thing. But they are like “BIG FOOT” I keep hearing people say that he’s out there, but he really hard to find.
That’s what people love in Sarah Palin. She is one of us. She knows what it is to look for sale items in the grocery store and how to pack a lunch for school, and how to order at McDonald’s drive through. She knows what it take to raise a family in today’s world. She has personal values that she actually believes in. She is not for sale. She has good judgment and courage of her convictions. And something unheard in the beltway, she actually has common sense. I don’t know of any of the present offerings for the top job. Because I am ready for “HOPE and CHANGE” and I too am sick an tired of being jerked around by politicians whose only concern is getting re-elected. The only thing I believe that most of them would be qualified for would be SWINE FLU!
Why would ye die?
Same mistake made by Reagan
AHALgal Tuesday, October 27th at 12:08AM EDT (link)when he selected Bush as his running mate.
See where that got the conservative movement after Reagan?
I recommend reading Ed Rollins book or Paranoid Nation by Matt Towery for anyone that recommends selecting a VP candidate only to appeal to the Beltway Republicans.
Instead, the Beltway Republicans - including Pawlenty - should be slid out of any position of influence as cleverly as possible.
Conservatives don’t need them.
Join the RedState Strike Force
Erick :Watch this video From Cavuto then........
DavidS1787 Monday, October 26th at 5:48PM EDT (link)Ask for equal time to respond on Your World with Neil Cavuto!
Repost Erick Erickson Please watch the video above..
DavidS1787 Monday, October 26th at 7:57PM EDT (link)then ask for equal time to respond.
I feel..
Bobcat51 Monday, October 26th at 10:14PM EDT (link)sick. Just had to watch Newt spew a lot of dribble on Greta show tonight.RINO through and through and now Graham is coming on,pass the barf bag.
Newt G is swimming upstream with the other RINOS!
Newt pulled a Wolf Blitzer on Greta tonight
AHALgal Tuesday, October 27th at 12:11AM EDT (link)He blamed the selction of Hoffman over Scozzofava by conservatives solely on her support of abortion and gay marriage.
WRONG NEWT! Add to that her endorsement by ACORN, affiliation with the AFL-CIO, support of the Obama stimulus and love of cap & trade.
Newt is spinning. Alone and spinning.
Join the RedState Strike Force
Gallup poll shows hope!
akorozco Wednesday, October 28th at 9:49AM EDT (link)The latest Gallup poll shows that 40% of Americans identify as Conservative… we need to ally behind a charismatic leader to get back in control! http://www.newsy.com/videos/time_for_conservatives_to_shine