Political upstart Matt Doheny is picking up endorsements of establishment Republicans, while his opponent's campaign is dismissing the nods as the machine spurning Doug Hoffman just as they did last year when insiders backed Diedre Scozzafava.
Doheny is plodding along throughout the district currying favor with the political rainmakers, who may or may not be as important as they used to be but still are the ones who play a big part in the nominating of candidates. Last year's results showed they are less important as November approaches. The GOP candidate last year drew a paltry 5% in the general election for Congress in NY23.
Through the Hoffman house organ "Whats Up NY23" the suggestion is floated this morning that the endorsements are bought and paid for, a clear effort to suggest Doheny's wealth is being used in an untoward manner. In NNY, the local pols don't get a bag of money...just a little attention....But to a broader public skeptical of money and politics, the Hoffman strategy is clear. (Actually none of the three candidates in the race can lay claim to being 'po as a church mouse.)
The endorsements and momentum-building announcements is an effort by Doheny to take Hoffman out long before the September primary and lock down the minor party Conservative line as well. If this race goes to September with Hoffman on the "D" line and Doheny winning a Republican primary, the simple one on one showdown with Rep. Bill Owens will be blurred.
Doheny is stroking Independence Party folks as well with a breaking of bread later today with Jefferson County Chairman John Rice.
Doheny also has media support with another editorial in the Watertown paper this week bashing Hoffman.
Its easy to see Doheny, who comes from Alexandria Bay, will be dominant in the western portions of the district where a majority of the people live. He also has been visiting everywhere else. Its hard to see how Doug Hoffman comes out ahead when no one is publicly backing him or appearing with him.
Granted, its a good year to run against the establishment, but at some point you need an entourage. It will be interesting to watch the Hoffman effort develop. He has capable advisors and surely did not expect to be the darling of either the chairs or the Watertown Times. Neither backed him last year and he still scored 46%. Replicating that will be difficult, but I guess he thinks it can be done.Team
Doheny Wins Endorsements in NY-23
29 comments:
The "What's up NY-23 blog" is a joke. they are complaining that Hoffman didn't have a chance to "make a case" to the Oneida County Chairs. This blogger said it best:
I find it so funny that you are criticizing the county chairs for not allowing Hoffman to "make his case" (who by the way, had the entire 2009 election to make his case, but obviously did not impress them), yet you are perfectly comfortable with Mike Long not only endorsing Hoffman, but actually putting him on the ballot before Doheny had even entered the race - obviously, Doheny wasn't able to "make his case" to the Conservative Party but even worse the party didn't even give their own members a chance to vote on it. That, my friend, is ridiculous, and all you and your Hoffman supporters are seeing now is the backlash of the Hoffman team telling voters that their vote doesn't count. Welcome aboard. Mike Long made a horrible decision by essentially single handedly declaring Hoffman to be on the ballot and Hoffman made the mistake of threatening to be a spoiler if the GOP didn't nominate him too. That is truly a "strong arm tactic" (and now it seems clear that that strategy is failing). Cry all you want about not getting the endorsements from the county chairs, but honestly, what did you expect? The Hoffman campaign seems to think they are entitled to everything. Sorry boys. You seem to be losing to your "third tier" candidate.
As for the donation to Dede last year, Doheny publicly announced that he would support whatever candidate the GOP chose to nominate and he did just that. That is called putting your money where your mouth is. Hoffman promised the same thing, but obviously a promise from Hoffman is about as valuable as the Charmin in my bathroom.
I am convinced "What's up NY-23" is purposely just trying to stir the pot. The author can't possible be so dumb as to not even recognize the hypocrisy in today's blog.
I am so tired of Hoffman and his people complaining and making excuses and accusations when things don't go their way. What's next? Is Doheny going to get accused of slashing Hoffman's tires to keep him off the campaign trail? Oh no wait, Hoffman used that one last year, he'll have to come up with something new this time
Doheny is on a roll! Hoffman is still a hotdog.
Love the hotdog label! Doheny is doing his homework among the GOP hierarchy---that's what has to be done in a primary. Hotdog Hoffman approaches the campaign as an entitlement....it ain't so, Doug. You ran. You lost. You just ain't entitled to nothin' Work your butt off, get your message out----all of that will garner additional groundswell for Doheny. Yesterday's hotdog just doesn't sell today. Today's a new day with a new, fresh menu with an electable alternative to the Pelosi lapdog.
Hotdog. Lapdog.What a choice. OMG.(Discerning Dan, West Carthage)
Team Hoffman what a joke.
Team Hoffman----At least their visits to NNY will help the tourism-related economy. Can't wait to hear them pronounce Gouverneur, Chazy, Lowville, Copenhagen,Lake,Pulaski, Churubusco or Madrid. Maybe Hotdog will hold a crash name I.D. seminar for them in Brownsville or Glen's Park. Only then will they be able to differentiate Mannsville/Munnsville/; Pierrepont/Pierrepont Manor;
Lake Clear/Clear Lake;
Fulton (city in Oswego Co.)/Fulton County.
Any others?
Chase Lake (Lewis Co.)
Chase Mills (St. Lawrence)
Saranac lake (Essex Co.)
Saranac lake (Franklin Co.)
Red Mills (St. Lawrence)----Redwood (Jefferson)
Allow me to synthesize the comments: Doheny is on a roll! Hoffman is a roll of Charmin! I love it.
charmin? this race is already in the toilet.
How about those Doheny endorsements! This guy's for real. How refreshing.
Someone please do your research - Doheny is paying former NYS Director of USDA Rural Development Patrick Brennan big bucks to deliver the southern end of the district. Brennan was let go when Obama took over and hasn't had a real job, well...ever probably.
Brennan lives OUTSIDE the district and is a county legislator in Waterville, ONEIDA COUNTY - http://ocgov.net/leg#Patrick_H._Brennan__R-3
He went around handing out the big checks of OUR money to these idiotic developers - wonder if he ever gave any money for WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT?!?!?!?!?! Maybe that's why Doheny hasn't come out publicly against the Lake Ontario Wind Farms...
Anyway, I'm sure that's how Doheny was able to snatch up the Oneida County endorsement - folks, its really not that difficult if you just do some research and pay attention.
12:26pm - oh please. One man does not a district make. I am sure Brennan wishes he had the kind of power you allude to, but trust me, he doesn't. Stop assuming that just because Doheny gets endorsements he has paid for them. Ever do any research into the candidates themselves (not their staff, but the candidates)? Doheny is hands down the best candidate this year. There is virtually no other to that. He is smart, driven, understands the issues and the people of the district. I find it so funny that as soon as Hoffman's campaign started getting the shaft, he and his supporters have to blame someone (other than themselves that is) of underhanded tactics. Doheny earned the endorsements because he is the better candidate. Sorry. But it is true.
The Hoffman people are showing their true colors---and they aren't pretty. They can't win in the issues, so they are going after cheap shots, personalities, etc. We deserve better than that.
Read posts here and on the 23rd blog, same posts same wording. Insiders for Matt and seems fewer for Doug are working the comments hard now days. The backrooms know people read this and they have to have their spin. Matt paid guys so far are ahead of Dougs free workers
I posted the third comment on this blog on both sites and I am not paid by either side. I am just frustrated by all of the absurd accusations that the Hoffman team keeps throwing out there when things don't fo their way - they did it last year and they are doing it again now. So yes, I did post to both blogs. No, I am not on Doheny's payroll. And no, I will never ever vote for Doug Hoffman.
1:19pm - actually there was one pro-Doheny duplicate and one pro-Hoffman duplicate posting (and one other pro-Doheny duplicate, but the poster gave the NY-23 blog credit for it). I would hardly say that is enough to consider them both plants from staff members of the campaign. Just people reading both blogs, much like yourself, obviously. Regardless, the score is pretty even so your subtle dig that Doheny's paid staff is writing more on these blogs is pretty silly.
Long, Hoffman and Ryan are just a bunch of crybabys. Hopefully they wither on the vine of a long hot summer.
Lets not forget the people for Aubertine and Owens working these blogs they are working there little key board to death
The winner will be Owens or Hoffman.
The GOP chairs are a hapless butch of wannabees. They just don't get it. After this one the GOP in the North Country might wise up and find some smart people with some leadership ability.
6:25pm - you can't really be saying that Hoffman is smarter than Doheny. Now that is funny.
6:25pm - I am curious how you are so sure that Doheny can't win. His campaign has barely begun yet you seem certain that he will lose. I would love to know why. Please elaborate.
6;25Is your name Sean henny....
When its all over and the smoke and BS clears, Hoffmans trickery and Dohenys money wont have mattered. Owens will repeat and you can take that to the bank.
Wow 9:24pm, I hope you use your ability to see into the future for cool stuff too, like winning the lottery. It would be a shame to use waste your special gift on just this. You are awesome.
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