It’s official: GOP backs Doheny, Tea Party backs Hoffman
A few minutes ago, Mark Barie with the North Country group UNYTEA formally endorsed Doug Hoffman for Congress. The full press release is below.
This sets up a nearly textbook primary clash between the new Tea Party movement and the 23rd district’s Republican Party leaders, who have largely backed Watertown attorney Matt Doheny.
Of course, the wrinkle here is that Hoffman has suggested that he’ll run as a third party Conservative candidate even if he loses the Republican primary.
Whatever else it signifies, this kind of institutional divide on the right is fantastic news for freshman congressman Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh).
We’ll have a full report tomorrow morning during the 8 O’clock Hour.
UPSTATE NEW YORK TEA PARTY BACKS HOFFMAN
Doug Hoffman is a proven vote getter who can win in November
Doug Hoffman, the conservative Republican for Congress (NY-23), was endorsed by the Upstate New York Tea Party (UNYTEA) at twin news conferences held Wednesday morning at the Ramada Inn in Watertown and in the afternoon at the International Airport Terminal Building in Plattsburgh. Surrounded by Tea Party activists, Hoffman, a CPA and successful small businessman, received UNYTEA’s endorsement during remarks delivered by its Chairman, Mark L. Barie.
During the course of his remarks UNYTEA’s Chairman, Mark L. Barie said, “Doug Hoffman is everything you could possibly want in a candidate for Congress; he is a small businessman, he is a family man, and most importantly he is a principled fiscal conservative who isn’t running for office because he wants a career in politics. Doug Hoffman isn’t your typical smooth-talking, slick-looking politician and that’s exactly why North Country residents love him. Doug is one of us and I know that Washington won’t change him one bit. Doug Hoffman will be our next Congressman because he is a proven vote getter who will have the message, the money and the volunteers needed to win this race.”
Doug Hoffman said, “I want to thank UNYTEA and its Chairman Mark Barie for their endorsement today. In less than a year UNYTEA has become a major force in North Country politics. Rand Paul’s victory in Kentucky’s GOP Primary proves that the Tea Party movement is a major force in American politics. They are, like me, average Americans who are sick and tired of the culture of corruption that envelope’s our nation’s Capitol. They understand that bureaucrats in Washington can’t fix our economy by throwing our tax dollars at stimulus plans and corporate bailouts. They realize that the solution lies in cutting spending, cutting taxes and shrinking an out of control deficit that is mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. UNYTEA activists stood shoulder to shoulder with me last fall as we sent a message that was clearly heard in the halls of Congress; the professional politicians have failed us and it’s for them to go. In Congress, I’ll fight for the free enterprise system and for the liberties enshrined in our constitution. But, I’ll also fight against government waste, earmarks, and the backroom deals that perpetuates the tax and spend mentality that is breaking the back of the American taxpayer. The Tea party movement has proved that the party bosses can no longer hand pick their nominee. This November we’ll win and we’ll take the Tea Party to Washington.”
So different groups of establishment elitists back different candidates. Too bad, I thought in a democracy, candidates were supposed to be decided by the humble voter. But what do I know?
So will we hear some specifics from either of these two before the primary? I’d really like to know what things they’re vowing to change in Washington besides the usual talking points. Has anyone heard specifics from either candidate? I ask because I haven’t. Please share if you know something I don’t. I believe you interviewed both recently, correct, Brian. Can you share anything specific? Thanks….
Brian: How did they chose their nominee? Was there a convention? Or was it a case of Tea Party bosses hand-picking their nominee?
Hoffman: “Tea party movement has proved that the party bosses can no longer hand pick their nominee.”
Where are we going to make significant spending cuts Doug? Answer the question detailing specific, significant, spending cuts and I might even vote for you. But you won’t answer the question because, like most politicians, you want to get elected.
Let’s insure a liberal win once again!
I am confused.
Who speaks for the Tea Party?
They aren’t a party per se, they have no “leaders”, so who shooses the spokespeople, and who decides whom they support?
If I say I’m a Tea Party candidate, does thaat make it so?
They are not a party in NY, I think they have obtained offical party status in a couple states, maybe Florida? UNYTEA is an organization, not a party.
I am very interested to learn how they decided to endorse Hoffman. I have a hunch the “party bosses” hand-picked him, even though, according to Hoffman, the “Tea party movement has proved that the party bosses can no longer hand pick their nominee.”
Hey, I’ve got an idea. How about a primary vote on the Republican candidate?
Dan, I’m wondering that too since there is no “party”.
How much is Owens paying Hoffman is what I want to know?
Bret,
You’ve mentioned before that you’re involved in the “tea party” here in the North Country to some degree. Can you enlighten some of us here who are uncertain as to how they chose Hoffman? Or even how they chose their spokesperson? Any insight would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
If Clap- I have no idea! I wasn’t even aware of the UNYTEA until a few days ago. There are at least 7 other “Tea Parties” made up of extremely loosely organized internet coalitions that I follow both within NY and outside and another 35-40 I’m aware of across the nation. From Grassfire.org to the 912 Project almost none of them have anything like a “head” or “nominating committee” so I was as surprised as anyone else when this came about.
It would have been far more accurate for Brian to use a headline of “UNYTEA backs Hoffman” than “Tea Party backs Hoffman”. The implication is that the “Tea Party” as a whole has some national organization that is backing Hoffman when nothing could be further from the truth. If the UNYTEA people Brian is familiar with are giving him this impression, then they’re either putting themselves in a spot they aren’t qualified to assume or they’re somehow misleading people inadvertently.