Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • Jack LaDuke

    images_sizedimage_304214046

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
October 31, 2009

Scozzafava drops out of race

Poll shows her way behind Owens, Hoffman

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — In a major development in the 23rd Congressional District race, Republican Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava dropped out Saturday.

When the latest independent poll results from the Siena Research Institute came out Saturday morning, it showed Democrat William Owens in the lead with 36 percent of the vote, followed closely by Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman with 35 percent.

Scozzafava had fallen way behind with just 20 percent.

Shortly after the poll was released, Scozzafava pulled out of the race and released her supporters to get behind the candidate of their choice.

"In recent days, polls have indicated that my chances of winning this election are not as strong as we would like them to be," she said in a statement.

"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."

Scozzafava said it was in the best interests of the residents of the district for her to drop out of the race.

"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," she said.

The Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee both said they would now throw their support behind Hoffman.

"Effectively immediately, the RNC will endorse and support the Conservative candidate in the race, Doug Hoffman," RNC Chairman Michael Steele said.

"Doug's campaign will receive the financial backing of the RNC and get-out-the-vote efforts to defeat Bill Owens on Tuesday."

Hoffman was riding the crest of his campaign wave Saturday as news of the poll and Scozzafava's departure spread.

He was in Plattsburgh appearing at Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 125 with former Gov. George E. Pataki and Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak, both Republicans who endorsed Hoffman Friday.

"This morning's events prove what we have said for the last week; this campaign is a horse race between me and Nancy Pelosi's handpicked candidate, Bill Owens," Hoffman said.

"They (Democrats and their supporters) are throwing mud; they are trying to stop me. It's time for us to send a message to Washington — we are sick and tired of big spending, high taxing, career politicians, and by voting for me on Tuesday you will send that message loud and clear."

Pataki said sending Hoffman to Washington will send the message that Americans are sick of high taxes and spending.

"What is happening in Washington is wrong," he said at the rally. "The Pelosi agenda is not our agenda."

Owens, who campaigned with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, on Saturday said he would finish his campaign by touting his message of job creation.

"Voters have a clear choice on Tuesday: they can elect to go back to the George Bush economic agenda, or they can vote to move forward," he said.

"I will fight to turn back the page on that agenda. I will work to create jobs upstate to get our economy back on track because that is the type of leadership we need right now in Congress."

Owens said it was unfortunate that the "right wing extremists" spent millions of dollars to get Scozzafava out of the race.

"They are trying to go back to the failed ways of George Bush's policies and their extreme right-wing agenda, and that is not in the best interests of the country," Owens said.

As far as Hoffman picking up Scozzafava's supporters, Owens said he believes his message will still carry the day.

"We will deal with this the same way we've been dealing with the campaign; talking about job creation and fixing the economy," he said.

"I think that message is resonating with the voters of the district, and most importantly people do not want to go backwards."

The Independence Party, which has about 19,000 voters in the district, said it would now be supporting Owens in the race.

"While I respect that some of our local organizations will make endorsements, as chairman of the New York State Independence Party, today I am proudly endorsing Bill Owens for Congress," Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay said.

"I strongly urge all Independence Party members and voters throughout the 23rd District to cast their vote for Bill Owens on Tuesday."

Scozzafava is on the Independence Party ballot as well as the Republican.

The AFL-CIO of New York State also jumped behind Owens after Scozzafava dropped out.

The Siena poll was conducted Oct. 27 through 29 and reached 704 likely voters in the district.

Scozzafava fell from 35 percent on Oct. 1 to just 20 percent on Saturday.

Owens went up from 28 percent on Oct. 1 to 33 percent on Oct. 15 to 36 percent Saturday.

Hoffman showed the most progress, going from just 16 percent on Oct. 1 to 23 percent on Oct. 15 to 35 percent, just one point from the lead.

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

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • Attempted-murder trial set

    The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.

    Posted: 3 hours
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart