Sarah Palin Comments on Doug Hoffman's Defeat

From her Facebook page (hat tip Another Black Conservative), Sarah Palin commends Doug Hoffman and remembers Ronald Reagan in his political defeat of 1976:

The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds. 

To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976: 

“The cause goes on. Don't get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.” 

The cause goes on. 

- Sarah Palin 

I voted for Reagan in 1976.  He was running against Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination.  I was living in Scottsdale, Arizona then and I got a large REAGAN button from the local Republican headquarters.

I still have that button, as new and shiny as the day I got it 33 years ago.

NY23: Thoughts on Doug Hoffman's Brave Effort

Doug Hoffman's effort to win a congressional seat in New York was hampered by several factors.  He was attacked by the Republican Party itself (in ads) before Scozzafava dropped out.  Scozzafava's departure came only three days before the vote, and then she endorsed the Democrat, even making robo calls for him.  Her name was still on the ballot and drew over 5,000 votes that might have gone to Hoffman.

In other words, Hoffman only emerged as the GOP's champion very late in the campaign, in a confused situation of rapidly changing circumstances.  This was not your usual political campaign.

Michelle Malkin summarizes the election and its aftermath:

Hoffman may have lost narrowly, but NY-23 is a much broader victory for conservatives who believe the Republican Party should stand for core limited government principles. Scozzafava, who was endorsed by far Left blogger Markos Moulitsas Zuniga and backed by Planned Parenthood, the National Education Association, and card-check-promoting trade unions, was denied the congressional seat because movement conservatives refused to support Arlen Specter in a skirt. This is a victory of principle.

Better a donkey in office that acts like a donkey than a donkey in elephant’s clothing making a complete ass of the GOP.

Moreover, NY-23 is a victory for conservatives who refuse to be marginalized in the public square by either the unhinged left or the establishment right. A humble accountant from upstate New York exposed the hypocrisy of GOP leaders trying to solicit funds from conservatives by lambasting Pelosi and the Dems’ support for high taxes, Big Labor, and bigger government — while using conservatives’ money to subsidize a high-taxing, Big Labor-pandering, bigger government radical. The repercussions will be felt well beyond NY-23’s borders. Conservatives’ disgust with the status quo has been heard and felt. They have been silent too long. They will be silent no more.

And, we will be back to NY23 in one year's time, more prepared and better funded, and hopefully without RINO baggage to dispose of.

Hoffman Concedes in NY-23

Doug Hoffman, the conservative candidate, has lost to the Democrat Bill Owens in New York's 23rd District.  This was rather unexpected as polls showed him the likely winner.  Nevertheless, the only poll that counts is held on election day.  Owens will occupy the congressional seat for only a year, then will have to defend it in 2010.  This was a special election to complete the term of a congressman who became part of Obama's administration.

This is disappointing, not because of the election of another Neo-Marxist Democrat, but because it would have sent a clear message to the RNC that the base will not easily accept RINO candidates.  Oh well, politics ain't beanbag, as the old saying goes.

The unusual GOP win was the election of a Republican governor in Blue State New Jersey.  It was a good night for Republicans but not a great night.  We won 2 out of 3 and we will try harder in the races to come next year.

GOP Sweep in Virginia; Republican Christie Projected Winner in New Jersey

Republicans won handily in Virginia; McDonnel wins by 60% - 40%; Chris Christie projected winner of New Jersey governor's race by both AP and Fox.

Early returns in New York 23 show Bill Owens ahead of Doug Hoffman by 51% - 44%; however, that could change as more precincts report.

It Begins: Democrats in NY-23 Allegedly Call Police on Hoffman Supporters

There are unconfirmed reports coming from leftist sources such as the NY Daily News and Crooks, Liars and Cowards that Hoffman supporters have been electioneering too close to polling places, and "yelling anti-choice stuff at voters."  It sounds like another Democrat dirty trick to me:  they are setting up excuses for their presumed loss in this election, like they did in Florida in 2000 when blacks were allegedly barred from getting to the polls (later proven to be untrue).

Hot Air responds to the charges here.

You're not fooling anybody, Democrats.

Meanwhile, a Hoffman supporter has his tires slashed.

Newt Comes Up Short: He Misread the Race and the Mood of the GOP

A great article in the Washington Post today:  Gingrich Comes Up Short. Some excerpts:

Amidst the stunning events in New York's 23rd congressional district -- with Republican-turned-independent Doug Hoffman suddenly surging to the front and likely to win today's race -- collateral damage has been suffered by some of the GOP's presidential hopefuls who misread the race and the mood of the Republican electorate.

"The people who run the Republican Party are going to have to learn that moving to the left is not going to win them elections."

In contrast, pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List, the Club for Growth, Fred Thompson and Dick Armey all endorsed Mr. Hoffman. Then there's Sarah Palin, whose endorsement of Mr. Hoffman focused national media attention on the race and seemed to set in motion the collapse of support for Ms. Scozzafava. Lucky or otherwise, Ms. Palin comes out looking like a leader and Mr. Gingrich doesn't.

Read it all here.

Public Policy Polling Predicts "Tonight Will Be Very Good for Republicans"

The Public Policy Polling organization is predicting a "very good" night for Republicans.  They account for this because of GOP unity and the fact that independents are leaning heavily towards the Republicans.

Read it all here.

Will Corzine Steal the Election in New Jersey?

Democrats steal elections in a number of ways.  They "find" ballot boxes stuffed with votes for Democrats, as they did in Washington State a few years back when their gubernatorial candidate came up a few votes short.  (The "found" ballot boxes were more than enough to push the Democrat into the winning column.)

In the Presidential election of 1960, voter fraud occurred in certain states and Kennedy was elected in a close vote.  A lot of the votes were from dead Democrats.  Nixon did not demand a recount.

In 2000, Al Gore tried desperately to transmogrify his electoral defeat into a victory with various vote recount and "reinterpretation" schemes involving hanging chads and perceived voter intent.  He failed.

Recently Al Franken was able to turn his electoral defeat in Minnesota into a win through the same recounting and reinterpretation of the ballots cast.

ACORN is a Democrat group of community organizers who are famous for registering voters...and reregistering the same voters, under different names, again and again.

The election Tuesday (between New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie) is going to be close.  If so, you can count on the same Democrat election stealing techniques to be used to turn the result on its head.

That's what Big Government thinks, and I agree.  Read it all here.

Tomorrow We Begin Again