John McHugh should weigh in on NY-23
I know, I know, John McHugh has entered the Obama cabinet as Army Secretary. In theory, the Republican serving under a Democratic President is now serenely apolitical.
But with his boss, Barack Obama, stumping in New York City for Bill Owens, shouldn't McHugh be given a voice as well?
Seems a little unfair for the President to scoop McHugh up, then campaign to flip his seat away from the GOP to the Dems.
In theory, an endorsement of Dede Scozzafava by McHugh would be a no-brainer. McHugh shared a lot of her centrist, anti-GOP leadership views.
(McHugh's feuds with Republican minority leader John Boehner were epic and he told me once -- on the record, no less -- that he was happier now that his party was out of power.)
But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe John McHugh would surprise us once again and give the nod to someone else.
In any event, McHugh remains a deeply respected figure in the North Country.
Given that we have such a short time to get to know the three candidates, I for one would like to hear his thoughts on the race and on the leader who will soon fill his shoes.
Labels: election09
posted by Brian Mann @ 10/20/2009 08:33:00 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
i believe an endorsement may violate the federal hatch act which prohibites federal employees from engaging in political activities other than voting.
In any event it would probably be inappropriate given his position. McHugh is supposed to focus on policy and stay out of politics. I'm sure Obama wouldn't appreciate him endorsing scozzafava.
Endorsements are overrated; his endorsement of Barclay in the state Senate campaign didn't help much.
John who?
I'm surprised and interested that McHugh would have problems with Boehner. I saw McHugh as very much a party line Republican. I wrote to him often asking his support for issues such as social security, health care and gay rights and he made it very clear to me that he was for whatever the party line promoted at the time.
I think it was a master stroke that he is removed from the area and now working for the Army which was where he has always had his support. My fingers are crossed for a Democrat.
I'm with Meg, I've always considered McHugh a wet noodle, simply bending with whatever direction the Republican leadership in the House wanted....I'm hoping for a Democrat, or at the least, a moderate Republican like DeDe. Hoffman on the other hand, represents in my opinion, exactly what has been wrong with the Republican party for the past several decades.
His new boss wouldn't like John endorsing Dede. Remember, his boss was just headlining a fundraiser for Owens in the extreme southern part of NY-23.
I've always wondered why endorsements are so important. I've never needed anyone to tell me who I should vote for.
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