Republicans to Hoffman: Buzz off

Lake Placid accountant and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman is still urging GOP leaders to reconsider their choice of Gouverneur moderate, Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava.

She’s the standard-bearer in the upcoming 23rd House district special election.

Hoffman has argued that delays in scheduling of the vote offer Republicans a chance to drop Scozzafava and put him at the top of their ticket.

Here’s coverage in today’s Adirondack Daily Enterprise:

Republican county chairs in the 23rd Congressional District say there’s no chance they will grant Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman’s request for a series of debates with their candidate for John McHugh’s seat, state Assemblywoman Deirdre Scozzafava of Gouverneur.
“Zero to none,” said Franklin County Republican Chairman Jim Ellis.

Conservative leaders have excoriated Scozzafava, who is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage.

But the GOP says she’s the right woman to win the race against Democrat Bill Owens from Plattsburgh.

Essex County Republican chair Ron Jackson points out that Hoffman is untested as a politician and doesn’t even live in the district:

“When we had an open competition, Mr. Hoffman didn’t fare well head-to-head with [Scozzafava]. He had his chance, he had as fair a chance as everyone else, and he just didn’t measure up.”

Tensions between Republicans and Conservative leaders has been rising steadily through the summer.