This Week’s Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem

Updated 2 months, 4 weeks ago

Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Congressional District of New York, a seat held by Republicans for the past 120 years. John McHugh held the seat since 1992 and won with such large margins (he was even unopposed in 2002) that when I pitched him to provide polling for his campaign, it was a challenge to even argue why he needed polling in the first place.

Dede Scozzafava was chased out of the race by conservative Tea Party activists. Her campaign may have been inept, and local GOP leaders ...

may have erred in selecting her, but activists had no business dictating terms from afar. Despite her flaws, Scozzafava was ahead in the polls before the Tea Party brouhaha. (So much for respecting local control.) Their result was to actually shrink the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives. (Moreover, the newly-elected Democrat Congressman Bill Owens may provide the deciding vote on passing Pelosi Care, up for debate tonight in the House.) Just as conservative Democrats voted for Speaker Pelosi, liberal Republicans like Scozzafava would have supported the Party’s leadership. A RINO is better than no R at all. The good news is that the district is likely to support the Republican candidate in 2010 after what I suspect will be a vigorous primary.

The most laughable criticism of Scozzafava was that she showed no loyalty to conservatives by endorsing the Democrat in the race–this from Tea Partiers who showed no loyalty to the Republican Party by pushing a third party candidate in the first place.

Here in Missouri, activists were pleased with national results. Twitter was rife with self-congratulatory chatter. One wrote, “Obama’s most significant accomplish? Re-awaking the conservative movement.” Even Missouri’s Lt. Governor Peter Kinder emailed, “This was a referendum on the direction Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama are taking our nation. Voters are upset with the failed stimulus, the government’s proposed takeover of our health care system, and the national energy tax known as ‘cap and trade.’”

My fear is that Tea Parties will be so enamored with national politics that they will miss opportunities to win real and lasting victories in state and city races. In Missouri smoldered the ruins of what could have been Tea Party victories: a quarter-cent sales tax in Jackson County won renewal (with 71%) despite the funds once being the subject of a grand jury investigation; usually conservative Springfield passed a new sales tax during a recession (with 55%); and St. Louis passed a smoking ban (with 65%) generally regarded by us righties as an affront to liberty. If this is the “re-awakening of the conservative movement” in a red state that voted for McCain, I fear for the future.

There is a year left before the 2010 elections–and Tuesday should offer a powerful lesson to activists everywhere. Namely, there is no substitute for hard work in smaller local races that actually have an impact on people and their pocketbooks. Activists need to identify potential candidates and campaign staffers in their own neighborhoods, focus on the issues and races where they are best equipped to make a difference and not let small differences overshadow what we have in common.

71 comments on this story

PRO

50% positive

Showing 65 relevant reactions out of 71.

Freedomfighter 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

The truth is in front of us all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgUCdefSW8

Feedomfighter 3 months ago on Wordpress

We are on the edge of a vast storm that is blowing wind in all directions. The winds are blowing dangerous objects all about like a many headed hydra; Healthcare Reform, Card Check, Financial Industry takeover, GM takeover, Stimulus Bill, Cap and Trade, earmarks. We are all concerned about our safety and our future, especially the future of our loved ones. We are beginning to see that the one thing ... See all content Hide content

winthrop 3 months ago on Wordpress

Yes, you can definitely tell just by someone's appearance what sort of a soul they have.

This sort of shallow statement is a really good example of why only 20 percent of Americans identify themselves as Republicans. Frankly, most people are more educated these days.

Free Twink Sex » Big Government » Blog Archive » This Week's Elections: Tea Party … 3 months ago on Wordpress

[...] post is from here. Visit the link to read more.And boy was it a very close race. We also need to get McCain, Graham, [...]

Blonde Twinks » Big Government » Blog Archive » This Week's Elections: Tea Party … 3 months ago on Wordpress

[...] post is from here. Visit the link to read more.And boy was it a very close race. We also need to get McCain, Graham, [...]

Connie Z 3 months ago on Wordpress

Right on starznbarz! I am voting for the survival of the republic only.

Starting tomorrow I am going to campaign against every elected official who is not working towards that goal.

I will give money, time and energy.

The first challenge is… to find someone who "is" working towards that goal.

CV63Veteran 3 months ago on Wordpress

Mr. Tuohey the mistake you are making in your argument is that you assume that the Tea Party movement is made up of people with an "R". From the events I have been to, I find most people are like me and could give a crap less what letter is by their name. It's about reducing federal control and spending, neither of which Scozzafava would have done anything about. The Rhinos that were ... See all content Hide content

Brian 3 months ago on Wordpress

I have my own version of cap and trade. We cap our representatives powers and trade all of these socialist out in the next election.

pendit1 3 months ago on Wordpress

Nope….Just KICK it , never kiss it! : >

Brian 3 months ago on Wordpress

I have my own version of cap and trade. We cap their powers and trade all of these socialist out in the next election.

Keri 3 months ago on Wordpress

A gentleman added a post on Saturday that suggested that people go to http://www.Dearpolitician.org to write your politicians. Of course, he made it sound too-good-to-be-true, but I checked it out and found it to be a legit website that is pretty cool. The one thing that caught my attention is that they had a section called "Things Americans Should Know". The interesting thing about this ... See all content Hide content

Keri 3 months ago on Wordpress

KUDOs to the makers of http://www.Dearpolitician.org. I was on here yesterday and someone suggested going to them to write my politicians. Thanks to me losing my job, I now live on a really tight budget and not having to buy the paper and stamps to send the morons in government is great. I faxed 36 politicians yesterday for free. I like the fact that they get my letter the same day. Good Job Dearpolitician .org. ... See all content Hide content

Political Lies 3 months ago on Wordpress

Being ahead in polls now doesn't mean squat, but it is a good sign of course. Regard VA, you may be right, or VA's results might just have been a case of "boot out all Dems" (which is a good thing if they're liberals).

I don't disagree with your last paragraph, but right now there's nothing on the 3rd paragraph that gives me the warm and fuzzy. Maybe he's ... See all content Hide content

kmichaels 3 months ago on Wordpress

Frankly, Patrick, you got everything arse backwards. I would rather vote for a democrat than a rino. You saying we need to support the rinos illustrates that you are either a rino yourself, or a liberal, or a damned fool, or all of the above. In either case, you article was pointless and poorly thought out, assuming you put any thought into it. It was dumb dumb dumb and dead wrong. True republicans ... See all content Hide content

MCGIRV 3 months ago on Wordpress

Good point!

pendit1 3 months ago on Wordpress

Yep, she's all that and a side of fries!

pendit1 3 months ago on Wordpress

Compare and contrast Ms. Dede with Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and others . There is nothing that says 'beauty' and brains are mutually exclusive. Dede's appearance does NOT tell me that she's intellectually superior or a more serious person than the women I just mentioned. It does give me a clue about her concept of self discipline and taking ... See all content Hide content

pendit1 3 months ago on Wordpress

I'm sending your comment to all Republicans seeking support (time and money) from me . Thanks for writing this!

pendit1 3 months ago on Wordpress

If there's any of the $900,000 left over from the generous contribution that the RNCC made to her campaign…perhaps Dede could use it for a trip to the dentist, a supervised exercise program , and a Nutrusystems Plan.

PatHMV 3 months ago on Wordpress

If we were one vote away from GOP control of the House, then who she votes for as leader MIGHT be relevant. Since the Republican Congressional leadership of Tom Delay and Denny Hastert abandoned fiscal conservative principles, however, we are NOT anywhere close to being the majority party, and so the only thing that matters this year is whether a particular member of Congress will vote FOR fiscal sanity ... See all content Hide content

nceeno 3 months ago on Wordpress

Jeez Pat. You sound like an AP writer.

BlueSwords 3 months ago on Wordpress

As it turns out, Owens did not cast the deciding vote, other than the vote that will seal his fate next November. As a Conservative, I have to agree with the dumping of Scozee as a shot across the bow of the GOP bosses. The statement that was made is, "Nominate another RINO and lose another election." Hopefully Mr. Steele and his politocrats will get the message.

Next November we'll ... See all content Hide content

Luapfitz 3 months ago on Wordpress

People NEED to vote with their beliefs not the party. It is high time we understand voting the party line is what got us into this mess.

GaHaggis 3 months ago on Wordpress

Here's the problem, Mr. Tuohey; Tea Partiers aren't interested in a Republican solution or a Democrat solution, they're interested in a conservative solution. This fact seems to be completely lost on those who cannot, or will not, take their collective heads out of their nether regions. Will "helping" Democrats get elected fix the problem? That all depends on if the leadership ... See all content Hide content

alan 3 months ago on Wordpress

hey pat…these "local concerns" become my concerns when those reps vote on NATIONAL issues…does scuzzaflubba's endorsement undercutting hoffman indicate that maybe she doesn't have too much in common with conservatism?

dmrdano 3 months ago on Wordpress

It is not true that a RINO is better than no R at all. The RINO's water down the distinctive stand on principle that charged people like Lincoln and Reagan. Both of them were able to work with people that had different opinions on a great many things, but they did not waver on core principles. I would rather see the Democrats have the seat than for them to get what they want with the complicity ... See all content Hide content

toland 3 months ago on Wordpress

HA! This post is as correct as Dede was a conservative. You have everything bass ackwards and think to school us on how is should be and what we should learn from this. Why do you get to put articles here again? Clueless!

zebo 3 months ago on Wordpress

Riker,

If the GOP continues to put forth candidates like Scozzafava, Snowe, Schwarzenegger, etc., they will lose the argument for a third party.

You ought to be able to trust that your politician will genuinely make decisions that they feel are best for the country first. They should listen to their constituents, but we should be able to trust their judgment. Sadly, you can't ... See all content Hide content

_DC_ 3 months ago on Wordpress

There was but one error that triggered this entire situation. Had Hoffman been selected as the Republican candidate in the first place the outcome would likely have been vastly different. What these insiders don't seem to understand is that party loyalty doesn't apply to voters when they see a candidate put forward who holds views antithetical to their own in most cases. If Republicans give ... See all content Hide content

starznbarz 3 months ago on Wordpress

"loyalty" is how we got where we are. now we vote for the survival of the republic only.

TeaLeafTimes 3 months ago on Twitter

Big Government » Blog Archive » This Week's Elections: Tea Party ... http://bit.ly/24F7mG

#tea

clstrout 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week's Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Big Government (blog)

Dede Scozzafava was chased out of the r.. http://bit.ly/1XDJY2

3 months ago on Intensedebate

"...this from Tea Partiers who showed no loyalty to the Republican Party..."

That's it--conservatives are loyal to conservatism, not to the letter after a candidate's name. If Republicans won't stand for conservative principles, then their "moderate" plans must be for watered-down socialism. Good luck with that platform.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Gads, if Scozzafava was a true (R) she would have endorsed Hoffman. That's what mature, professional team players do, no matter what,. When they drop out they throw their support to unite, not undercut. It also helps to mention that Owens and Scozzafava were both listed on the ballots - TWICE EACH! WHat a joke! And Hoffman STILL got 45%. He got a bigger percent than Bill CLinton did to win the ... See all content Hide content

3 months ago on Intensedebate

There is no way that Scozzafava would have voted against Pelosi care. How better could she have made a name for herself than to follow this crap bill and this crap movement? This dude is retarded if he thinks this is going to kill the Tea Party movement. If anything, it reinvigorated the movement. RINOs out!

3 months ago on Intensedebate

That picture scared the hell out of me!

3 months ago on Intensedebate

"this from Tea Partiers who showed no loyalty to the Republican Party by pushing a third party candidate in the first place." It is not my job to be loyal to a party. They work for me, not the other way around.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Why am I not surprised to see that the moron who wrote this article used to work for Frank Luntz. Patrick Tuohey (the author of this article) is another political class high society hack. He is basically telling us we aren't qualified to get involved in these matters and we should just shut up. I bet he thinks Bachman's little house call on capital hill was a complete waste of time also. ... See all content Hide content

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Scozzafava was a shill and a GOP infiltrator. As soon as you figure out who in the Republican party those people are the better.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Someone posted a link on Twitter to a NY Times obituary of a Democrat who represented that area (though the district number was different then) within my lifetime. That Dem was succeeded by another Dem., so where does this "Republican for 130 years" crap come from?

DRIPusa 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week’s Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Co.. http://bit.ly/24F7mG

#tcot #ocra #tlot

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Can anyone tell me an issue that Scozzafava and Owens would have voted DIFFERENTLY on? I can't honestly think of any. Today she probably would be the lone Republican vote for Pelosicare allowing Dems to say it was "bipartisan". This was a backroom deal by the local party that reflected nothing of rank and file Republicans putting Scozafava in there. Frankly, the loss is valuable if it ... See all content Hide content

3 months ago on Intensedebate

If you trust Katie Coric and the rest of the lame stream media, the Republicans need more RINO's to win elections. I'm sorry, but I really don't think they offer sincere help. We need to return to the conservative principles that will actually benifit the country rather than settling for someone with an R beside their name. California's finding out the hard way.

912Cyounger 3 months ago on Twitter

Big Government This Weeks Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem - Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Congressional D... http://ow.ly/160aKd

3 months ago on Intensedebate

You seem to be forgetting that she'd been rated MORE LIBERAL than the Democrat. Oh and since you're in Missouri, do you have a right to opine on the election? "Post Mortem" is a flawed title: if we are anything, it is more invigorated and ready to fight to the figurative death. Your article has only made me more committed.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

I get so tired of combating this inanity. Scozzafava was not forced out by anyone. She lost in the battle of ideas. The polls of voters in her district showed she couldn't win because people realized what a terrible candidate she was. Turns out Republicans aren't all that enamored by people to the left of even the Democratic Party. The idea that conservatives have to shelve principle and ... See all content Hide content

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Hmmmm. 1. It is not my -job- to vote Republican. 2. It is the JOB of the Republican party to provide candidates that I am willing to vote for. 3. Don't get it? Then your career will be very short.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

You know, I agree with local control. I didn't contribute to this race for that (and another) reason. Are you telling me that the nearly 1 million dollars the GOP donated to Scozzafava was LOCAL money? I don't think so. This sentence pretty much sums up why you are so very wrong: "The most laughable criticism of Scozzafava was that she showed no loyalty to conservatives by endorsing ... See all content Hide content

Erudite_Enigma 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week’s Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Congressional District of .. http://bit.ly/12ph1A

biggovt 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week’s Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Congressional District of .. http://bit.ly/12ph1A

RonPaul_2012 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week's Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem - Big Government (blog) http://bit.ly/EMm4 #TeaParty #tlot

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Uh, this is what we did in VA. Namely, got conservatives McDonnell and Cuccinelli elected. No RINOS--I do not want to pull the collective knives out of our back from the likes of Spector, Collins and Snowe. Unfortunately, the national Republican party does not get it, e.g., Scoozaffazzfaazfaaz and Crist. We need more primarying till the conservatives retake the party.

Scoob 3 months ago on Wordpress

Uh, this is what we did in VA. Namely, got conservatives McDonnell and Cuccinelli elected. No RINOS–I do not want to pull the collective knives out of our back from the likes of Spector, Collins and Snowe. Unfortunately, the national Republican party does not get it, e.g., Scoozaffazzfaazfaaz and Crist. We need more primarying till the conservatives retake the party.

3 months ago on Intensedebate

You are incorrect, sir. A RINO is not a (R) when they cannot be trusted to move the values of our party forward. You forget that Hoffman lost by 4 points after only being in the race for 30 days. Not to mention that the 6% of those had voted for Dede would have not been a factor, and more than likely been in the Hoffman camp. Had he been supported throughout the campaign, and had not the 11 appointed ... See all content Hide content

reactionaries 3 months ago on Wordpress

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Dede had shown her true colors. Us tea partiers were smart to get her out and vote Conservative. And boy was it a very close race. We also need to get McCain, Graham, Snowe, Collins out of office. And make sure that we don't vote for people like Huckabee, Pawlenty, Newt and Romney in the primary for 2012. Obama can easily beat them and we'll be stuck with him until 2016, we can't afford that. ... See all content Hide content

Rita Sowders 3 months ago on Wordpress

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Patrick Tuohey, interesting article. I hear what you are saying, out of both sides of your mouth. Quite frankly, people are getting tired of being told what, and how to think. We are getting tired of being told, and lectured; from Nancy Pelosi, to Barney Frank, to Newtered Newt Gingrich. Your article states that Dede didn't show loyalty to conservatives because she endorsed the Democrat; while ... See all content Hide content

Cowboy Logic 3 months ago on Wordpress

Patrick Tuohey, interesting article.

I hear what you are saying, out of both sides of your mouth.

Quite frankly, people are getting tired of being told what, and how to think. We are getting tired of being told, and lectured; from Nancy Pelosi, to Barney Frank, to Newtered Newt Gingrich.

Your article states that Dede didn't show loyalty to conservatives because she ... See all content Hide content

3 months ago on Intensedebate

Way to miss the point of this loss. This is a win, even with a "D" in the seat, because there was no reason for the local party to nominate such a liberal "Republican". If this was a race in a heavily liberal district, then she may have been acceptable; however, there is no reason to accept such a horribly liberal candidate as a matter of course. These types of candidates have pushed ... See all content Hide content

verity versica 3 months ago on Wordpress

BreitbartBigGov 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week’s Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Doug Hoffman lost his race in the 23rd Congressional .. http://digg.com/u1FvPL #tcot #tlot

3 months ago on Intensedebate

This is the same argument that the Republican party used to get Sen. Specter re-elected last time. I was swayed, and I voted for him, and now I am kicking myself in the behind (no jokes please). Why can't we just vote for conservative principals? That may clean up the Republican Party faster than you think.

mom4no_hate 3 months ago on Wordpress

This is the same argument that the Republican party used to get Sen. Specter re-elected last time. I was swayed, and I voted for him, and now I am kicking myself in the behind (no jokes please).

Why can't we just vote for conservative principals? That may clean up the Republican Party faster than you think.

14jazznwine 3 months ago on Twitter

This Week's Elections: Tea Party Post Mortem: Big Government (blog)

by Patrick Tuohey Doug Hoffman lost his.. http://bit.ly/3S2Myb

Twitter Facebook

DASHBOARD

PRO
MY KEYWORDS

PRO
- ubervu
- Apple iPhone
- Nexus One
+ Add
ADD
CANCEL
TOOLS & WIDGETS