The 23^rd Congressional district special election is not only a rhapsody of tribulations and revelations regarding the three contenders for the ultimate prize, it is in the eyes of some within the north country, much to their dismay, garnering a great deal of national attention … attention that many party establishmentarians are not all that comfortable with.

The reason for the national attention is that the results of this special election could be viewed as a referendum for the Obama administration and his policies; should Owens become elected.

It would be recognized as a victory for the Republican Party and a testament of what to expect nationwide during next years regular scheduled elections if Scozzafava is elected.

… Or more importantly a rebuke of the Republican Party and its leftward drift should a Conservative Republican such as Hoffman out Scozzafava … and win.

Enter Newt Gingrich.

Mr. Gingrich appears to be the only major, nationally recognized Republican to endorse Dede while dancing around the issues of ‘card check’, ‘gay marriage’, ‘abortion’ and more importantly the abnormally huge number of ‘union’ endorsements for Ms. Scozzafava. I cannot remember at any time … nationally or locally such huge support from unions for a Republican candidate. Has the Republican Party locally (Nationally?)  gone so far left as to accomplish a paradigm shift toward ‘forces’ that have traditionally been for the Democarts? If so, is this what traditional Conservative Republicans or even Moderate Republicans within the district want to see happen?

Is ‘card check’ something we want to see happen? Gay marriage? Abortion on demand? Or do many believe none of these concerns will ever happen, legislatively … even while  Dede votes with the Democrats on these various issues … within the Democrat controlled ‘Pelosi’ Congress’? What the hell … one more Republican voting with the Democrats. No big deal.

I am certain many medium or large sized businesses within the North Country do not have any problem with ‘card check’. I am equally sure many residents within the 23^rd district have no problem with gay marriage or willy nilly abortions on demand. I am of course being sarcastic.

Is it a matter of party first … issues second? Newt appears to be choosing party over issues. How about you?

Newt rightfully supports Dede based on her ‘fiscal conservative’ voting record but ignores many of her stances that are abhorrent towards his own personal and oft publicly stated beliefs.  Party first … issues second. You go Newt! Your support is disingenuous at best.

One of the recently most often repeated reasons not to support Hoffman, as Newt eludes too, is the fact that Doug is not a resident of the 23^rd District. That is true … since congressional redistricting took place in 2000.

But prior to the year 2000 redistricting, the 23^rd congressional district within New York included Lake Placid, solidly, as a part of the 23^rd district.  Saranac Lake, where Doug grew up, is still a part of the 23^rd … where Hoffman still owns property and maintains many friends and relatives still residing there. It is 10 miles from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid.

So by the swift movement of a pen … he is somehow not an ‘insider’ within the North Country. Are we seeing the ‘good old boys’ playing this ‘redistricting’ card to protect their own? Party first … issues second?

Mr. Hoffman is a ‘managing partner’ with ‘Dragon Benware Crowley & Co’ … a leading accounting firm located solidly within the 23^rd district, establish in 1916, with offices located in Malone, Watertown, Canton, Massena, and Plattsburgh … all solidly within the 23^rd district.

They do business with government agencies, many manufacturing companies, non-profit organizations, as well as restaurants, contractors and small businesses … nearly all located within the 23^rd district.

But yet Newt claims Doug is somehow a spoiler and a distraction for ‘party line’ voters, that he is an outsider of the 23^rd district … this is disingenuous at best Newt … lame at most.

I wonder what Newt knows of ‘Gouverneur Morris’?  Was he a Loyalist or a Patriot?

Just a clue for you Newt … “We the people, in order to provide a more perfect union ...”   

Party first? Or the people first? … Your choice Newt. Inquiring minds want too know.