
The polls in New York’s 23rd Cngressional District will open in less than 72 hours, and at this last moment, the NRCC appears to have egg on its face. The Republican (in name only) backed candidate, Dede Scozzafava, has withdrawn from the race.
As of yesterday, her opponent, Doug Hoffman, a conservative running on principles rather than party, was neck and neck with the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens. Historically, the district has voted Republican, which is one reason President Obama chose Rep. John McHugh (R) to be the Secretary of the Army, with the hopes of a Democrat winning the seat on the 2008 election coattails of Obama.
Scozzafava’s withdrawal puts an even brighter spotlight on this special election, sine the Republican Party had split its big name endorsements. Newt Gingrich had lined up behind the party’s choice, while Fred Thompson, Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty had aligned with the Conservative Hoffman. The election results will have affect on the Republicans going forward, as well as upon the Obama White House and its agenda, and it will show the cumulative affect of the Tea Party movement.