Republicans Left Without a Candidate in NY 23; Republican Dede Scozzafava Quits Race for House Seat

If I were Doug Hoffman, I wouldn't go running back to a confused Republican Party in New York. They chose a Republican as liberal as Obama himself for the seat over Hoffman. Now they don't have a candidate.

Newt Gingrich backed Republican Dede Scozzafava has dropped out of the NY23 race. As you know, the very liberal Republican was chosen by party bosses over the conservative Doug Hoffman. Hoffman has captured support across the nation and has gained in the polls over the last week. It's time the party learns a lesson here.

She leaves the race with the following letter to friends and supporters:

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Throughout the course of my campaign for Congress, I have made the people
of the 23rd District and the issues that affect them the focal point of my
campaign. As a life long resident of this District, I care deeply and
passionately about its people and our way of life. Whether as a candidate for
Congress, a State Assemblywoman or a small town Mayor, I have always sought to
act with the best interest of our District and its residents in mind—and today I
again seek to act for the good of our community.

The opportunity to run as the Republican and Independence Party candidate
to represent the 23rd District has been and remains one of the greatest honors
of my life. During the past several months, as I’ve traveled the district,
meeting and talking with voters about the issues that matter most to them, I’ve
been overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve received as I sought to serve as
their voice in Washington. However, as Winston Churchill once said, Democracy
can be a fickle employer, and the road to public office is not always a smooth
one.

In recent days, polls have indicated that my chances of winning this
election are not as strong as we would like them to be. The reality that I’ve
come to accept is that in today’s political arena, you must be able to back up
your message with money—and as I’ve been outspent on both sides, I’ve been
unable to effectively address many of the charges that have been made about my
record. But as I’ve said from the start of this campaign, this election is not
about me, it’s about the people of this District. And, as always, today I will
do what I believe serves their interests best.

It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters
to shift their support. Consequently, I hereby release those individuals who
have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see
fit to do so. I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that
with my actions today, my Party will emerge stronger and our District and our
nation can take an important step towards restoring the enduring strength and
economic prosperity that has defined us for generations. On Election Day my name
will appear on the ballot, but victory is unlikely.

To those who support me – and to those who choose not to – I offer my
sincerest thanks.

Dede