Scozzafava should drop out

A candidate who refuses to answer questions about her positions on issues is one thing; vagueness and evasion are part of the game. But one who calls the police on a self-described "persistent but polite" reporter (and we believe him) may be trying to tell us that she's in over her head.

John McCormack tells his own story, excerpted below. Keep in mind that Scozzafava is running on the Republican ticket. It's easy to forget.

So after the dinner, I asked Assemblywoman Scozzafava if she supports card check. "Yes, yes I do," she replied.

At that point someone from her campaign placed himself between Scozzafava and me and told me I should direct all my inquires to the campaign's spokesman. I nonetheless asked Scozzafava if her signing of the Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to vote to raise taxes means she would oppose any health care bill that raises taxes. "What kind of taxes?" she replied. Then another couple of gentlemen interposed themselves between Scozzafava and me as Scozzafava headed for the door.

I spotted Scozzafava later as she was walking to the parking lot, and asked her: "Assemblywoman, do you believe that the health-care bill should exclude coverage for abortion?" She didn't reply. I asked her twice more. Silence.

After she got into her car, I went to my car and fired up my laptop to report the evening's events.

Minutes later a police car drove into the parking lot with its lights flashing. Officer Grolman informed me that she was called because "there was a little bit of an uncomfortable situation" and then took down my name, date of birth, and address.

"Maybe we do things a little differently here, but you know, persisistence in that area, you scared the candidate a little bit," Officer Grolman told me.

"[Scozzafava] got startled, that's all," Officer Grolman added. "It's not like you're in any trouble."

That was good to hear.

But I do wonder if it’s the Scozzafava campaign that’s in trouble--with a candidate who supports card check, who is unwilling to say she’d oppose a health care bill that raises taxes or includes abortion coverage, and who is so reluctant to answer questions that she has someone with her campaign call the cops when she’s questioned by a reporter who is (if I may say so) polite--if a bit persistent.

McCormack reports that Scozzafava "urged her supporters to vote for her in order to keep her Democratic opponent Bill Owens from serving as a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama's agenda in Washington." Funny thing is, Assemblywoman S. is exactly that: a rubber stamp for Pelosi. (h/t MM)

I thought we were supposed to be rebuilding the Republican party. I'm not in love with it but it's all we've got. This Margaret Sanger awardee's GOP ambitions need to be nipped in the bud now. We already have enough RINOs.

And since we can't make him go away, let's at least try to ignore Newt Gingrich. He's in a party that exists only in his imagination:

“The Republican Revolution in 1994 started very much like what we see today,” the former speaker said. “Like then, our country is reeling from misguided liberal policies, high taxes and out-of-control spending. This special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District could be the first election of the new Republican Revolution, but we need the momentum to get it started.”

What a load of nonsense. He's making a mockery of his own past successes and doing harm to the conservative cause. And as a recent Catholic convert, why oh why is he supporting a pro-abortion candidate?

Linked at Michelle Malkin (buzzworthy)

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