Chuck Todd’s Take

8 responses so far

• 1 franco 2 // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:54 am

  First, NY 23 was lost by Republicans long ago. The Republican nominee endorsed the Democrat remember? So the GOP at least in NY23 lost big time by not having a feel for the zietgiest. It is not as if one needs a degree in poli-sci to do this either…any fool can see these things, but not the party leaders they are in denial and their illusions are propped up by Democrats like Todd. No if it is a fight between Republicans and conservatives conservatives beat the crap out of Republicans. The seat went to a Democrat, but had the seat gone to the likes of Dede, THAT would have been a victory (sadly) for Republicans.

  Not to belabor the point, but when things are going in the wrong direction, as this country clearly is, we need not have Republicans going along over the cliff . The electorate becomes confused as to exactly which party stands for what issue, Republicans like Spector and Dede give cover and actually do more long term damage than a Democrat in their seat would do

• 2 ottovbvs // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:05 am

  franco 2 // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:54 am
  “First, NY 23 was lost by Republicans long ago.”

  ……..Stop rationalizing …….had Scozza been left alone the Republicans would have held a seat they’ve had since the 19th century…………..A bomb blows up in the face of the far right and all of a sudden it’s because the electorate is “confused.”……..this is all as cockamamie as the observation that the country is going in the wrong direction when it’s clearly going in the right direction

• 3 sinz54 // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:34 am

  ottovbs:
  

  had Scozza been left alone the Republicans would have held a seat they’ve had since the 19th century

  Had the GOP understood that they can’t afford to totally alienate their right flank, they would have vetted potential candidates with their base. A center-right Republican, though not as far to the right as the base would like, would still have been close enough so the base wouldn’t have revolted. Didn’t the GOP have any better choices than Scozzafava?

  Scozzafava was a truly liberal Republican in the style of Jeffords before he switched parties. For a base that worships Reagan, that was a bridge too far.

• 4 aDude // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:37 am

  In New Jersey, a moderate Republican ran on a limited government, cut taxes platform, and won in a Northeastern state. In NY-23, a hard core take, no prisoners conservative lost in a district that has been in Republican hands since Sherman burned Atlanta. There is a message here for how to win in 2010.

• 5 franco 2 // Nov 4, 2009 at 10:18 am

  Republicans holding a seat that votes with Democrats is meaningless. No loss here, and a demonstration to the GOP to avoid choosing candidates like this in the future. Also the fewer Republicans voting for statism and socialism will elevate the party brand in the eyes of the national electorate.

  One less Republican the MSM can name as being on board with Obama’s brand of National Socialism is a good thing for the long term.

• 6 DFL // Nov 4, 2009 at 10:27 am

  Lesson- run candidates who reflect and understand their districts, whether conservative, moderate or even liberal(ie. Bill Green(ret.), Mike Castle or Olympia Snowe). Running a party with ideological blinders can not maintain a majority.

• 7 franco 2 // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:09 pm

  “Running a party with ideological blinders can not maintain a majority.”

  No, the lesson here is running candidates with virtually no ideology, other than a craven poll-driven algorithm is toxic for the party and results in ultimate failure and defeat.

• 8 LFC // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:56 pm

  DFL said… Running a party with ideological blinders can not maintain a majority.

  I agree. My dream would be to see the GOP continue on its current path, becoming the party of the 20% radical and Christian right. Sarah could be their queen.

  This would make room for a real third party, one that was a bit right of center. I’d love to see a 3-party system; Dems (left/left-center), Repubs (far right), and Conservatives (right-center). I think that type of third party could kick some serious electoral butt if it could get off the ground.

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