Ouch: Pataki backs Hoffman

Dede Scozzafava was one of Gov. George Pataki’s loyal foot soldiers in the state Assembly. The two are viewed as Republicans of similar stripe — moderates, pragmatists.

But Pataki’s message to a Conservative Party dinner last night in New York City was about as crystal clear as they come.

He’s backing Doug Hoffman.

“He will fight for our proud servicemen and women at Fort Drum, our dairy farmers in Lowville and our manufacturers in Plattsburgh,” Pataki said in a statement. “And Doug Hoffman can win.”

There it is in four words. Republicans now clearly view the Lake Placid accountant as their best hope to hold NY-23.

And in politics, winning trumps loyalty almost every time. A long weekend ahead for Scozzafava.

One footnote: Pataki’s speech looked very much like a campaign speech. But when the former governor noted that he won his three terms as governor with Conservative Party backing, there was a notable silence from the crowd.

No applause. Watch it here.