NY 23rd Congressional Race Pushing Republican Party Rightward?

UPDATDED: 11/2/09 SCOZZAFAVA THROWS SUPPORT TO DEMOCRAT

          The Watertown Daily Times published this statement by Republican Dede Scozzafava:

Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly.

You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it’s about the people of this District.

It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same.

Original Story:

A special election will be held next Tuesday, November 3rd to fill the vacancy created when long time North Country Republican John McHugh accepted the position of Secretary of the Army in the Obama Administration.

In a three way race between Republican Party candidate Deidre Scozzafava, Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman the race is becoming a referendum on the future direction of the Republican Party. 

Hoffman, who lost an attempt to receive the Republican Party nomination has received  endorsement from Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck The Club for Growth and former Taliban supporter Dana Rorhabacher. Here's an excerpt from a piece by Laura Flanders:

It’s a great endorsement — as far as Hoffman’s opponents are concerned. As special assistant to Ronald Reagan, Rohrabacher played a key role in the late 1980s getting money and arms to Muslim extremists in Afghanistan. Throughout the 90s, he lobbied shamelessly for the repressive Taliban.  A November/December 1996 article in Washington Report on Middle East Affairs said, “The potential rise of power of the Taliban does not alarm Rohrabacher” because the congressman believes the “Taliban could provide stability in an area where chaos was creating a real threat to the U.S.” Nice. In April 2001, Rohrabacher met privately in Qatar with the Taliban’s foreign minister, then seeking increased aid for his country.

The Orange County California Republican, Rohrabacher has recently railed against the Taliban to be fair. It might be seen as a case of I was for the Taliban before I was against em'. You be the judge.

Scozzafava, has been deemed indistinguishable from the Democratic nominee by Hoffman's large list of extreme right conserative activists. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has publicly stated that supporting the candidacy of Hoffman is "ill advised."

But Gingrich, who served as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, wants to unite the party. He sees Scozzafava and the Upstate special election – the only House race in the nation this fall -- as the best hope for Republicans to start a comeback and regain control of Congress. source: RNCC

Say what you will about the state of the Republican Party. This race will give the country a clear sense of where the Republicans are headed going into 2010 and beyond.