.

He doesn’t deserve all the credit for the dro-out. Much led up to it. But it must have been the so-called “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Pataki is no conservative - he’s probably the definition of a NY “moderate” Republican. And is totally a NYGOP establishment figure. When he abandoned the Scozzafava campaign her people had to see that there was nothing left. If the most moderate establishment figure in NY Republican politics is endorsing the Conservative Party candidate - you’ve got no shot.

But the conservative movement and the individual conservatives who came out to endorse and support Hoffman set the stage and made it possible to get here - they made Hoffman credible and gave him the resources and support to expose Scozzafava and made it possible.

I would switch the Fred Thompson pick to Fred and Jeri Thompson.

I’d add her because of her connection to Fox News (appearing on Cavuto’s and Hannity’s show giving support for Hoffman, even when he was in third place), She helped garner national attention through the national media more than Fred did. The couple helped the election quite a bit.

Remarkable turn of events. I don’t know what statements Scozzafava has made about dropping out but at this point there is only one thing to concentrate on — winning. With only two candidates Hoffman can win this race and the impact on Washington will be tremedous.

However, I read many comments about heads rolling and people are going to pay that approach does us no good now. There is still a candidate standing between Doug Hoffman and the U.S. Congress. He’s a Democrat. The whole point of the conservative movement forcing its hand in Republican politics is to bring the Republican party back to its roots. That doesn’t mean chopping off heads. This is politics. We need to bring the strays back to the fold. Granted they will not be calling the shots but we can win with a united face now, a face that shines with real American values.

This Hoffman race is not over it has just gotten a little hotter!

Your list of influential groups is accurate but it should be recognized that each of those organizations is supported by the very people who read this site. The contributions made from people who support those groups are critical.

On this site we all talked about withholding our support from the NRCC. At the same time we were all making financial contributions to Hoffman either directly and through Fred’s PAC, and the Club for Growth, and even the Susan B. Anthony List. The point is that there is something very special going on in this country and it is not the so called party leaders pushing the agenda.

HEAR US ROAR, WASHINGTON! We are comin’ to get ya.

Oh yeah! and if you haven’t contributed to Doug’s campaign yet, what are you waiting for?

Folks who pulled out their wallets and pitched in for Hoffman. grassroots as well as online.

I don’t disagree with your list. Just that conservative activists deserve a mention.

Also, the National Organization for Marriage and other members of this huge conservative coalition of support need to be up there. When NOM and the money from other socially conservative groups began to pile-up, Republicans began to take notice.

More than anything though, no back rubbing yet. This is now a MUST WIN for conservatives! This is “the race that should have been & now is.”

Although there are are many credits due, you still deserve kudos for your initial support of and identifying the conservative candidate. I know that you have been following this race for some time and. Do you believe that the outcome will be a precursor of the 2010 midterms? Best regards

Ya know, the way the always refer to Dede as a ‘moderate’. Yeah, that would be why her *Democrat* opponent was running to her *right*.

Guess ya gotta keep that purge/purist thing going. Damn the facts and full speed ahead.

Anyway, great job of rallying the troops Erick. You’re much to modest (which is why you’re so loveable)

I would exchange Jon Henke’s name with Sarah Palin’s. Henke is an “intellectual” who most grass roots conservatives could just as well live without.

Palin’s endorsement was the game changer. It generated major contributions and focused the national media on NY23.

It’s amazing what one petite housewife can accomplish without leaving her kitchen.