NY-23 Shocker: Scozzafava out - Now it's Daggett's Turn

Politico has reported that Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava has suspended her campaign for the NY-23 House seat. From this article on the announcement:

Republican Dede Scozzafava has suspended her bid in next Tuesday’s NY 23 special election, a huge development that dramatically shakes up the race. She did not endorse either of her two opponents -- Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman or Democrat Bill Owens.

The decision to suspend her campaign is a boost for Hoffman, who already had the support of 50 percent of GOP voters, according to a newly-released Siena poll, and is now well-positioned to win over the 25 percent of Republicans who had been sticking with Scozzafava.

The NY-23 race has been interesting due to the fact that the Republican party put up a candidate they thought could win who was well to the left of Barack Obama. And in reaction, local conservatives put up backed Doug Hoffman who has come from behind and as of last week was either in a dead heat or ahead of the Democratic party candidate Bill Owens. The net is that Scozzafava decided she could not win and dropped out of the race.

Fast forward to New Jersey. As we have said all along Chris Daggett cannot win despite his ardent campaign staff. He will likely net a total of something less than 10 percent of the vote, serving only to be a spoiler. And frankly, if his candidacy only serves to help Corzine eek out a win(and Corzine then subsequently does what he promised which is to continue to destroy the business climate in the state and raise taxes), not only will he be completely unelectable for statewide office, he might have a hard time getting elected dog catcher. Toxic would not be a strong enough word.

Daggett has run a strong campaign given his resources. If he really wants to make a difference in this state, he should drop out now and live to fight another day. Unless of course his real reason to be in this race is to siphon votes from one or the other candidate. And if that is the case, toxic would be the correct word.

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