Pawlenty bucks GOP, endorses Hoffman

[thundley4]

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty became the latest Republican to buck his own party Monday, wading into a New York special election to offer support for Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman instead of the GOP nominee.

Pawlenty, who has raised his profile in recent weeks as he lays the foundations for a possible presidential bid, becomes the latest candidate to support Hoffman over Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava (R), the candidate selected by local party leaders to carry the Republican standard.
  "We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card-check and taxes," Pawlenty said. "After reviewing the candidates’ positions, I’m endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York’s special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections."

  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) called Hoffman a candidate who would stand against politics as usual. Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said on Friday that a vote for Hoffman is a vote for a conservative Republican. And former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) campaigned with Hoffman last week.

And in an effort to distinguish himself as a more conservative candidate, Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) — running against Rep. Jerry Moran (R) in a Senate primary — announced last week that he would support Hoffman.

  The Hill

[bkg]

I put little weight in this. He's playing politics and lobbying for '12.

Pawlenty is a global warming Lib. Presided over three MAJOR tax increases in as many years. His own budgets for MN are typically 8-10% increases. He lobbying for E20 after a falisfied study. Approved tax increases to pay for the Twins' stadium - we're still paying higher taxes to pay for the Dome! He's not a conservative.

[thundley4]

I put little weight in this. He's playing politics and lobbying for '12.

Pawlenty is a global warming Lib. Presided over three MAJOR tax increases in as many years. His own budgets for MN are typically 8-10% increases. He lobbying for E20 after a falisfied study. Approved tax increases to pay for the Twins' stadium - we're still paying higher taxes to pay for the Dome! He's not a conservative.

That may be true, but the more that come out and back Hoffman, the better chance he has of winning.

[bkg]

That may be true, but the more that come out and back Hoffman, the better chance he has of winning.

Very true. Very good point!

[BlueStateSaint]

The New York Post has a little blurb this morning about an aide to Rudy Giuliani being sent up to Hoffman's camp to help with the GOTV effort.  Said article goes on to say that Giuliani had to have approved this, and it's seen as a tacit endorsement of Hoffman.  It's on Page 14 of the edition that comes up to Albany.