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October 18, 2009

Congress candidates trade more criticisms

As 23rd District race nears an end, campaigns are in high gear

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — Right after the latest poll was released, the three candidates for the 23rd Congressional District continued their battle as feisty as ever.

Republican Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava was touting the endorsement of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Democrat William Owens was campaigning with an incumbent congressman; and Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman was opening up a campaign office in Plattsburgh.

The election is being held to fill the seat opened by the departure of Republican John McHugh, who was named the new secretary of the Army last month.

The 23rd District covers 11 counties from Lake Ontario in the west to Lake Champlain in the east.

Owens, 60, was leading the latest independent poll, released last Wednesday by Siena College Research Institute.

Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney, had 33 percent of the vote over Scozzafava's 29 percent. Hoffman was a close third with 23 percent.

Scozzafava, 49, is an assemblywoman from Gouverneur in St. Lawrence County and Hoffman, 59, is an accounting firm owner from Lake Placid.

'COMMON SENSE'
Scozzafava's camp was trumpeting Gingrich's endorsement as proof that she will be fiscally responsible if she is elected.

"The Republican revolution in 1994 started very much like what we see today," Gingrich said in a statement.

"Like then, our country is reeling from misguided liberal policies, high taxes and out-of-control spending.

"This special election in New York's 23rd District could be the first election of the new Republican revolution, but we need the momentum to get it started. This is a chance to send a strong message that common sense will soon be restored in Washington."

'PULLING A SCAM'
Hoffman's camp shook off Scozzafava's endorsement by Gingrich, who has long been associated with conservative Republicans.

"In the words of New York State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, Dede Scozzafava is the Bernie Madoff of New York politics," campaign spokesman Rob Ryan said, referring to the New York City investor who was sent to jail on fraud charges.

"She is pulling a scam on Republican voters, and it looks like she is pulling a scam on Newt Gingrich."

Ryan said Scozzafava's record proves she is a, "tax-hiking, tax-loving liberal, and voters are sick and tired of her desperate attempts to win this election."

Ryan also attacked Scozzafava for signing The Americans for Tax Reform pledge, which she vowed in an interview Oct. 3 not to do.

Her campaign, Ryan said, also called it a "stunt" when Hoffman signed the same pledge in August.

"Some might call her actions a "fox-hole conversion," Ryan said, noting Scozzafava's falling poll numbers.

Scozzafava's campaign said Hoffman was desperate, but did not offer an explanation as to why Scozzafava signed the pledge.

"It's just more name-calling from a desperate and dishonest campaign that has no chance of winning," campaign spokesman Matthew Burns, said.

"It's time for Doug Hoffman to stop hiding behind such nonsense and agree to debate the issues."

BIG DONATION
On Friday, Owens's camp was publicizing a weekend of campaigning with incumbent Democratic Congressman Paul D. Tonko of the 21st District near Albany.

Owens, who reportedly received a $6,000 campaign pledge from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was in Gloversville and Broadalbin Saturday with Tonko.

Scozzafava's camp was quick to paint Owens as a liberal spender like Pelosi.

"Nancy Pelosi's generous campaign contribution to Bill Owens is nothing more than a desperate ploy to garner another Democratic vote for her failing policies," National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Ken Spain said in a statement.

Owens camp ignored the critics.

"Bill Owens is focused on traveling the district, telling voters about his record of helping create over 2,000 jobs and how he plans to continue this effort as a member of Congress," campaign spokesman Jon Boughtin said.

NEW OFFICE
Hoffman opened a Plattsburgh campaign office at 5139 U.S. Ave. Friday afternoon.

The office will be used as a rallying point for campaign volunteers and staffers.

Offman also has campaign offices in Watertown and Canastota.

His campaign headquarters is located at 111 River Road in Saranac Lake.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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