The old truism, oft attributed to former House Speaker Tip O’Neill, seems to be the reason the Democrat won in NY23–the only nationally-highlighted race yesterday, outside Virginia and New Jersey, to survive a Republican sweep, an apparent early repudiation of Barry.
I thought it was old Texas favorite Sam Rayburn who said it first, but I seem to be wrong about that. Anyhow, in the end, it came down to local perceptions of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman and his opponent, despite Hoffman’s endorsements from many national Republicans, including Sarah Palin. An Ann Althouse reader in NY23 explains what those local perceptions were. They had nothing at all to do with Barry.
One thing Mr. Sam did say that seems to fit the Democrats’ overall situation: "When you get too big a majority, you’re immediately in trouble."
Via Instapundit.
UPDATE: It certainly didn’t help that Hoffman didn’t even live in the district. Geez.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
There was a conservative Republican the party poobahs torpedoed, Maroun.
That this guy got as close as he did says a lot.
My cousin lives there. She’s a real “Bush Lied/People Died”, blood for oil, Haliburton!!!! leftist.
I congratulated her on having a Dem congressman, something she never expected.
She replied by talking about hillbillies being upset (everybody who disagrees with her is either stupid or lying).
That kind of pissed me off. Does she have to insult everybody?
So I replied, “I have to admit, I find it funny that you have Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin to thank”.
No reply. Heh.
Xmas is going to interesting.
The only thing his getting close says is that a Democrat got elected, not him. I am amazed that Sarah, et al endorsed a guy who didn’t even live in the district. How stupid are they?
The only thing his getting close says is that a Democrat got elected, not him. I am amazed that Sarah, et al endorsed a guy who didn’t even live in the district. How stupid are they?
I was with them. I don’t think I’m stupid.
The GOP, in a back room deal, chose a leftist friend of a party boss over the conservative the few people they allowed to vote voted for.
Or didn’t you notice Newt eating crow after Dede endorsed the Democrat?
The GOP demanded loyalty from their voters for Dede and she gave none.
If she had not endorsed anybody that would have been one thing, but she endorsed the Democrat.
That’s a pretty conservative district, Dede was in favor of Card Check, the stimulus, my cash for your clunker and more leftist, socialist crap.
It’s only for one year anyway, having one more Rino in there voting with Obama wouldn’t have meant anything, but letting the GOP know we’re sick of Rinos, especially in a district were a conservative can win?
That’s win.
I was with them. I don’t think I’m stupid.
The GOP, in a back room deal, chose a leftist friend of a party boss over the conservative the few people they allowed to vote voted for.
Or didn’t you notice Newt eating crow after Dede endorsed the Democrat?
The GOP demanded loyalty from their voters for Dede and she gave none.
If she had not endorsed anybody that would have been one thing, but she endorsed the Democrat.
That’s a pretty conservative district, Dede was in favor of Card Check, the stimulus, my cash for your clunker and more leftist, socialist crap.
It’s only for one year anyway, having one more Rino in there voting with Obama wouldn’t have meant anything, but letting the GOP know we’re sick of Rinos, especially in a district were a conservative can win?
That’s win.
That’s a good series of points. Persuasive, too. And, indeed, I was with them against the Rino until I learned Hoffman did not live in the district. That’s the kiss of death in local politics right there and Palin and Newt had to know it. I myself would be hard-pressed to vote for a carpetbagging outsider, whatever his purity of politics, because he could not know the local conditions. Anyhow, it’s all moot now. The Dem won.
That’s a good series of points. Persuasive, too. And, indeed, I was with them against the Rino until I learned Hoffman did not live in the district. That’s the kiss of death in local politics right there and Palin and Newt had to know it. I myself would be hard-pressed to vote for a carpetbagging outsider, whatever his purity of politics, because he could not know the local conditions. Anyhow, it’s all moot now. The Dem won.
Actually, now that I think about it her being elected would have been even worse than I thought.
She would have voted with the Dems on a bunch of things and then our friends in Minitru would have labeled anything “Bi-partisan”.