Op-Ed: New York Race Puts Republicans At A Crossroads

This bodes well for the Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who, as it turns out happens to be a Republican who ran on a third party ticket against Scozzafava and the Democrat Bill Owens. This is a fascinating race to watch, because it forces those in the Republican Party to take a hard look at what has become of the GOP. In the last few weeks, there has been a huge rift within the party between those supporting Hoffman, and the party loyalists who backed Scozzafava. Hoffman was endorsed by the likes of Sarah Palin, Dick Armey, Michele Bachmann, Steve Forbes and others. Media outlets and personalities supporting Hoffman included the New York Post, The Weekly Standard, National Review, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin and Glenn Beck. Those who put party ahead of principle endorsed Scozzafava. They included Newt Gingrich, Peter King, and the Log Cabin Republicans, as well as an unsolicited endorsement from liberal activist Markos Moulitsas, founder and publisher of the Daily Kos blog. Scozzafava was also supported by GOP Chairman Michael Steele. Why would a Republican running in a district that has been held by Republicans since the 1860s cause such a divide among those in her party? Let's examine her record. She has received the endorsement of the Working Families Party in her earlier campaigns, which has close ties to ACORN. She is pro-choice and pro-same-sex marriage. In taking a look at what is happening with this race, one realizes that the GOP is at a crossroads. Republicans have to decide what they stand for and whether or not they can define themselves as being clearly different from the opposition. After the Democrats swept both house of congress in 2006, there were many who said that conservatism was resoundingly defeated. The nation was headed in a new direction, one that would perhaps take us on the path toward socialism. That's what the people wanted, many believed. Others, however, argued that it was not conservatism that lost the election; it was "republicanism". The conservative electorate decided that if Republicans were not going to stand on principle, they needed to be punished. The Republican Party seems to have lost its way. It has become 'democrat lite'. It is difficult to distinguish many Republicans from Democrats on many of the core issues that used to define them. Republicans used to be the party of smaller government, lower taxes and a strong military. They used to be pro-life, pro-second amendment, and in favor of traditional marriage. Many Republicans, such as Gingrich and Steele, seem to believe that it is time to redefine the party, and become more inclusive of those who hold views that don't necessarily fall in lock-step with the base. Gingrich and others feel it is more important for Republicans to win elections, than it is to stand by the principles on which the party was founded. The New York 23rd district election is a special election. It was created when John McHugh resigned his seat to become Secretary of the Army. Doug Hoffman says that if he wins, he will run for re-election as a Republican. Hoffman defines what the party used to stand for. Bu there is the very real possibility that a viable third party may emerge in this country which could challenge both the Republicans and Democrats. Many would welcome a third party as a refreshing change, because they feel that right now, they have no real choice. The Republicans are at a crossroads right now. They need to decide if they want to fill the GOP with members, or of they want to stand on the foundations upon which the party was built. If they do not wish to be the party of true conservatism, a new party may emerge which will take back the values which once made us great, and restore this country to what the Founding Fathers intended. Listen to America Talks Saturdays at 10 am eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.