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Newt: Hoffman support a 'mistake'
2009-10-26
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is warning conservative activists that their support for a third-party candidate in a key upcoming New York special election is a "mistake." In a video captured last week and posted on YouTube Friday, Gingrich told tea party organizer Lisa Miller at a book-signing event that conservatives are inadvertently hindering the cause by backing Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman over Dede Scozzafava, the Republican Party's nominee. "I just think it is a mistake for the conservative movement to think splitting in the special election is a smart idea," Gingrich said. "If we give that seat to the Democrats, shame on us." A number of top national conservative voices have endorsed Hoffman in the last week, while others have yet to weigh in on behalf of either candidate. Gingrich, however, is one of the few prominent conservatives to support Scozzafava. Asked why he chose to back Scozzafava, who supports abortion rights, same sex marriage and has ties with local labor leaders, Gingrich responded, "Let's just start with she is the nominee of the local party. My bias is to be for the nominee of the local party, and I don't second guess the local party." The former Georgia congressman then rattled off a list of Scozzafava's conservative credentials. "She has signed a no tax increase pledge. She is endorsed by the National Rifle Association. She has come out against cap and trade...She is opposed to the Obama health care plan. She will vote for John Boehner instead of Nancy Pelosi," Gingrich said. "All of those things together make her - it seems to me - a legitimate, authentic, Republican nominee." Gingrich also argued that Scozzafava, a state assemblywoman, stands a better chance of winning the seat over Hoffman, who is trailing in public polls. "In the last poll that came out yesterday, she is well ahead," he said. "And she is much more likely to beat the Democrat than Hoffman because Hoffman doesn't live in the district." "He's never won an election in the district," Gingrich said of Hoffman, "[Scozzafava] represents the biggest county in the district. She actually knows the local issues, and Hoffman has says publicly he doesn't know the local issues."
Health Reform: Will Reid's Public-Option Gamble Pay Off? (2009-10-27)Senate health care bill to include public option (2009-10-26)Newt: Hoffman support a 'mistake' (2009-10-26)Congress cranks up pressure on insurance industry (2009-10-22)Insurers say they still want health overhaul deal (2009-10-22)
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