Hoffman’s ride from CPA to Conservative rock star

Three months ago, Doug Hoffman was a successful CPA, a respected but unexciting green-eye-shade guy.

This afternoon, he handled an extended national interview with Glenn Beck with aplomb, embracing his new role as a right-wing Jimmy Stewart figure. (That’s how Beck described hiim, anyway…)

After the radio interview, I dropped by Hoffman’s HQ in Saranac Lake (in an abandoned gas station where Hoffman used to work pumping gas).

I found the candidate hanging out with volunteers.

He admitted that the ride these last few months has been a little shocking, but he sounded relatively unfazed.

Hoffman has become a national symbol for conservatives convinced that the GOP has lost its way, and needs to field far more ideologically conservative politicians.

One thing’s clear: Doug Hoffman has absolutely doubled-down on his new identity as rock-rib conservative.

In his conversation with Beck — a firebreather who makes even many conservatives flinch — Hoffman aligned himself closely with the talk-show host, describing himself as a member of Beck’s 912 Project.

He has increasingly moved beyond fiscal conservatism to adopt a much wider slate of socially conservative ideas.

Will that sell in the North Country, where John McHugh was a self-professed moderate and where the GOP was convinced that Dede Scozzafava was the right candidate?

We’ll find out on November 3rd.

What’s certain is that Hoffman is on a very wild and dramatic journey. He appears on Beck’s TV show and the morning show Fox & Friends later this week.

Hoffman campaigns tomorrow with conservative activist and former congressman Dick Armey…