The only thing keeping the inept Democratic Party afloat is the even more inept, and far more politically tone deaf Republican Party. Case in point, is the special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, made possible by Obama’s strategic elevation of its former Republican Congressman to a federal post. The 23rd is the most conservative District in New York State, but the Democrat is favored because the ideologically pure (including Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty) are backing the Conservative Party candidate over the relatively rational officially endorsed Republican. It’s internecine conflict at its juiciest. Isn’t it fun to watch them eat their own?
The Conservative candidate is ideologically pure, passing all the tests (abortion, guns, anti-union, etc.) Unfortunately, it turns out that he doesn’t know or care about issues of importance to the District, as he demonstrated to the editorial Board of the Watertown Daily Times (via Talking Points Memo) recently.
A flustered and ill-at-ease Mr. Hoffman objected to the heated questioning, saying he should have been provided a list of questions he might be asked. He was, if he had taken the time to read the Thursday morning Times editorial raising the very same questions.
Coming to Mr. Hoffman’s defense, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, who accompanied the candidate on a campaign swing, dismissed regional concerns as “parochial” issues that would not determine the outcome of the election. On the contrary, it is just such parochial issues that we expect our representative to understand and be knowledgeable about, if he wants to be our voice in Washington.
Sam Gejdenson at his worst never dismissed district concerns as “parochial”, and he lost simply because he was perceived as out of touch. This guy is out of touch and proud of it, or at least Dick Armey, his loyal supporter, is proud of it.
This is good news since it diminishes this guys chances of winning the election; bad news because it may lessen the chance for a Democratic win. From what I hear, the Democrat is a potential Blue Dog, so that would be no great loss. What’s wonderful is that this appears to be a sign of things to come. No Republican is safe if he or she does or says anything that might appeal to those who think, even on a part time basis.
A bit off the point, but what’s this with the demand that they give him the questions first? When I ran for office in Groton, we were routinely interviewed by the Day. It never occurred to me or anyone else to ask for the questions in advance. If you put yourself forward as a candidate you have an obligation to demonstrate familiarity with the issues, or reap the consequences. This guy is running for Congress, and he thinks it’s unfair if the local newspaper asks him about something other than abortion, death panels and guns.
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