GOP's Scozzafava Robocalls for Democrat Bill Owens for NY-23 Race

November 02, 2009 3:17 PM

ABC News' John Berman and Justin Anderson report:

It's the campaign turned Republican civil war, turned circus.  Things just keep getting weirder in the race for New York's 23rd Congressional District.  The Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava who, just this weekend dropped out of the race and endorsed the Democrat, today recorded a Robocall voicing her support for the Democrat Bill Owens.

Listen to the robocall HERE.  The text is below:

"Hi, this is Dede Scozzafava calling on behalf of Bill Owens.   And I wanted to let you know that I am supporting Bill for Congress.

"Since beginning my campaign I have said that this election is not about me, it's about the people of this district.  It's not in the cards for me to be your representative but I strongly believe Bill Owens is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in Congress.

"In Bill Owens I see a sense of duty and integrity.  He will be an independent voice, devoted to doing what is right for New York.  To address the tough challenges ahead we must rise above partisanship and politics, and work together.

"Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday."  

This is coming from the mouth of a candidate whom the Republican Party spent more than a million dollars supporting.   

Some on the right are most displeased with Scozzafava's actions.  On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh said, "Dee Dee Scazafava is illustrating precisely what moderate republicans will do . (6)  and who moderate republicans are. (9)"  Using the term RINO, or Republican in Name Only, Limbuagh said, " Scasafava screwed every RINO in the .., we can say she' guilty of wide spread bestiality, she had screwed every RINO in the country. Everyone can just see how phony and dangerous they are."

The Republican National Committee has now come out in support of Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman.  In an interview with ABC News, Hoffman said, "all along I've been fighting for the soul of the republican party, for the values and ideals that it stands for."

When asked if there is room in the Republican party for opposing views, he said, "For moderate views, yes, but not ultra liberal views."  The tent, should only be so big, he said, "isn't that true in life in general?  There is always boundaries."