A repeat of NY-23 in Virginia?

The Washington Post lays out an interesting story today about a House race in Virginia that has overtones of the Scozzafava-Hoffman debacle here in the North Country.

As in New York, Republican leaders in Virginia are backing a moderate state lawmaker, Sen. Robert Hurt, whose record enrages many conservatives, including a disparate band of Tea Party activists.

To them, Hurt is not a real conservative because of his past support for tax increases, and they’re promising a third-party challenge if he wins the nomination.

Meanwhile, Doug Hoffman’s camp has released polling data suggesting that he’s the best candidate for the Republicans to back in 2010.

Not against Rep. Scott Murphy, who represents the district where Hoffman lives, but in a rematch against Rep. Bill Owens.