John McHugh should weigh in on NY-23

I know, I know, John McHugh has entered the Obama cabinet as Army Secretary. In theory, the Republican serving under a Democratic President is now serenely apolitical.

But with his boss, Barack Obama, stumping in New York City for Bill Owens, shouldn’t McHugh be given a voice as well?

Seems a little unfair for the President to scoop McHugh up, then campaign to flip his seat away from the GOP to the Dems.

In theory, an endorsement of Dede Scozzafava by McHugh would be a no-brainer. McHugh shared a lot of her centrist, anti-GOP leadership views.

(McHugh’s feuds with Republican minority leader John Boehner were epic and he told me once — on the record, no less — that he was happier now that his party was out of power.)

But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe John McHugh would surprise us once again and give the nod to someone else.

In any event, McHugh remains a deeply respected figure in the North Country.

Given that we have such a short time to get to know the three candidates, I for one would like to hear his thoughts on the race and on the leader who will soon fill his shoes.