Republican Dede Scozzafava Endorses Democrat Bill Owens In N.Y. Congressional Race

Politico.com:

Republican state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava has thrown her support to Democrat Bill Owens over the newly GOP-backed candidate Doug Hoffman in next Tuesday's special election, an 11th hour development that dramatically scrambles the political picture in the nationally-scrutinized race.

“In Bill Owens, I see a sense of duty and integrity that will guide him beyond political partisanship. He will be an independent voice devoted to doing what is right for New York. Bill understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first,” Scozzafava said in a statement. “Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday. To address the tough challenges ahead, we must rise above partisanship and politics and work together. There's too much at stake in this election to do otherwise.”

Scozzafava’s decision comes one day after she abruptly suspended her campaign -- and since then, the White House had been persuading her to come out in support of Owens. In addition, New York Democratic sources tell POLITICO that Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and state party chairwoman June O'Neill -- who she has a close relationship with -- also played a role in convincing Scozzafava to endorse Owens.

Another example how Far-Right bully tactics end up working them. Yeah, Scozzafava may be a RINO on social issues, but the way to keep GOP members seated doesn't include name-calling or intimidation. It didn't work most recently with Arlen Specter and it may not work here. The either-you're-100%-with-me-or-against-me approach taken on by GOP members and pundits against pols they deem "not conservative" enough (aka "Not Reagen Enough") almost always ends up being a win for the Left because it just turns moderates and independents off. Yet ask most people and I bet they'd rather have a guy who votes with them 50% of the time as opposed to none.