October 29, 2009
Posted: October 29th, 2009 12:30 PM ET

From
Romney is not making an endorsement in the NY 23 race.'
Romney is not making an endorsement in the NY 23 race.'

(CNN) - Is Mitt Romney weighing in on the intra-Republican Party fight in race for New York's 23 Congressional District by refusing to make an endorsement?

That's the special election where the GOP nominee, Dede Scozzafava, is facing a challenge not only from Bill Owens, the Democrat's candidate, but also from Doug Hoffman, who's running on the conservative party line. Because of the split among Republicans, Owens has a good chance of taking back a district the Democrats haven't won in generations.

On Wednesday Romney was asked whether he'd make an endorsement in the New York 23 contest.

"I have chosen not to endorse the Republican candidate in New York's 23rd District," Romney told reporters while campaigning in Virginia for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell. "That should speak a certain amount of volume. I can't endorse our candidate in that race."

Many top conservatives have weighed in on the race in the past few weeks, endorsing Hoffman, who jumped into the contest as a third party candidate after failing to gain the nod of Republican leaders in the district.

Among those backing Hoffman are possible 2012 GOP presidential contenders Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum. Both Romney and Mike Huckabee have refused to make an endorsement, while Newt Gingrich is supporting Scozzafava.

"Mitt Romney is a Republican and he tends to support the Republican candidate in races and when he can't because there are too many differences on the issues, he stays out of the race altogether and that's the course he's following in the New York special election. He doesn't plan to make any endorsement at all," Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom tells CNN.

The election in the three-way race to fill a vacant congressional seat is 5 days away. The office opened up after nine-term Republican Rep. John McHugh stepped down after being confirmed as Secretary of the Army. The largely rural district spans 11 counties in northern New York.

Republicans have represented this area of the state since 1872. McHugh never won less than 60 percent of the vote in his nine election victories, but Barack Obama did edge out John McCain in the district in last year's presidential election.

Scozzafava won the nomination in a vote taken by the 11 GOP county chairman in the district, rather than through a traditional primary election. The local Republican leaders picked the state assemblywoman, who is also backed by the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Republican National Committee, because they felt her moderate views would appeal to centrist Republicans, independents, and even some Democrats.

The move sparked a revolt among many conservatives, who are angry with what they call her liberal views on same-sex marriage and abortion.

Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter @psteinhausercnn

Filed under: Mitt Romney


lovable liberal   October 29th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

Romney: I will take no position before it's clear what will benefit me.

FRANK, Las Vegas   October 29th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

Is anyone surprised, he has no convictions or he's afraid to take a stand and come out on the wrong side. But he didn't have a problem taking sides in VA. Or maybe he's saying he doesn't like either of them! Maybe he wants to start a 3rd arm of the GOP....LOL

Barbara Indpendent in NY   October 29th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

Thanks for not jumping in Mitt. We already heard from enough idiots in your party. Sorry, but I still wouldn't vote for you for president.

Bubble of Sanity   October 29th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

Typical Romney. The only one he's looking out for is Number One. He is a hypocrite, and would sell his soul to the devil if he thought it might get him elected somewhere; in fact, he may have already done it.

S M R   October 29th, 2009 3:34 pm ET

Our best chance for Our Great Country to fully RECOVER is to VOTE DEMOCRAT. You don't believe me? JUST LOOK AT THE PAST FOR THE TRUTH.

ICARE   October 29th, 2009 3:19 pm ET

Smart guy. He shouldnt back anyone. An elephant is an elephant and they both must duke it out themselves.

lisa   October 29th, 2009 3:09 pm ET

Who cares what this man has to say. He is a huge Jesus Freak to begin with, Bush said he always consulted with the "Almighty"

Well look at where those consultation sessions got us. We do not need a repeat of that, esp. a Mormon to boot. Yikes, that is even more scary.

To read about what the Mormons believe is as scary as Scienctology!
No thanks Mitt.

Jim   October 29th, 2009 3:05 pm ET

Mitt

Way to take a stand...at least this way he can't flip flop

Joseph B   October 29th, 2009 2:54 pm ET

If Romney runs for president, will he have the same approach of staying out of issues when there are differences? That makes no sense...

carlos, THAT one   October 29th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

who would want to be endorsed by this has been........will be a really KISS your chances good bye for the candidates........LIBERALS: vote one of our own, send the GOPhers back to their sties where they belong

NATHAN WIMBERLY   October 29th, 2009 2:42 pm ET

Looks like this is a litmus test that Mitt wants no part of. This is the GOP Waterloo. Loonies or nobody. This is the reason why they just keep fading away. Please nominate Palin again.

Ken   October 29th, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Now there's a man of strong convictions!!!
Which way is the wind blowing????

The Lonely Libertarian of Liverpool NY   October 29th, 2009 2:33 pm ET

The last thing we upstate NYers need is to know what Mitt cares about. Mitt has shown enough that he cares very little about people, he is too concerned with which special interest group, union, lobbyist, Wall Street bank, PAC etc...will fill his pockets.

Dan   October 29th, 2009 2:32 pm ET

I live in Mass and let me tell you Romney was a lousy governor. He was never here and when he was all he did was cut programs that aided the needy such as those who are physically and mentally disabled, while still using tax payer dollars for drycleaning. It was also on his watch that many Big Dig problems came to light but he was too busy running for President to do anything about it.
Then to top it off he trashes the state he's supposed to govern to any right win nut who will listen. Real classy guy.
Thank the good lord above he isn't President.

Mark   October 29th, 2009 2:30 pm ET

Romney in 2012! Save our country!

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 29th, 2009 2:30 pm ET

Today is not a good day to be a lying Republican. Tomorrow doesn't look good either.

Ambrose Smith, Borrego Springs, California   October 29th, 2009 2:23 pm ET

Romney needs to check back with Limbaugh before he makes a decision.

Limbaugh is the king of the GOP.

Reagan was wrong   October 29th, 2009 2:18 pm ET

Although I disagree with Romney on almost everything, his intellect towers above that of the rest of the GOP, and this decision shows it.

glib lib   October 29th, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Why is everyone "weighing in " on this anyway? Don't these republicans realize that this makes them look like a party that not only can't agree with democrats but can't even agree with each other.

bob in LA   October 29th, 2009 2:03 pm ET

Of course he won't – he blows with the wind and whatever he thinks works best for his future. The man doesn't care about the future of any city or state, only his.

Laverne   October 29th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

It is clear Romney is trying to play it safe so he can go either way when whichever person wins. It is just something about this guy I don't like. You may not be an Obama fan, but Mitt Romney is not the right alternative and if he wins the republican nomination, I will vote for Obama!

Proud Member, Partyofdumbasrocks   October 29th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

Smart move Romney. But I hope you're not a waffler! Maybe you waffle because both the [R] and [C] candidate are dumb as rocks for being the messengers of the rightwing underbelly of this nation. Of course now we have to consider the same concern in your case....but in your case the issue is even more sweet. You have veered to the right in an attempt to court the base of the [R] party, the very BIGOTS that will never vote for you because of your religion. Just how smart does that make you? [R]s need some serious genetic counceling.

Duck Fallas   October 29th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

He consulted his magic 8 ball underwear- the answer was "not clear at this time"

tom in sj   October 29th, 2009 1:56 pm ET

Palin & Romey ticket ? The "big " voices of republican party would endorse that .Limbaugh,hannity,beck and o'reilly and ofcourse thier bosses at Fox make boring one sided comentaries ....

Andi   October 29th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

It's not his District. Why do people care who he supports?

LacrosseMom   October 29th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Romney is protecting himself, he KNOWS there are TWO GOP losers in the NY23 race, and he doesn't want to be associated with either one!

To the GOP: STOP THE HATE, STOP THE LIES.

Michael   October 29th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

What a political opportunist.

Liberal4Obama   October 29th, 2009 1:35 pm ET

Funny how republicans wont support their own candidates and then they ask Americans to waste their votes voting for them in elections.

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   October 29th, 2009 1:28 pm ET

Wimpy windbag!

Reformed Republican   October 29th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

Just like ole' Mitt and the rest of his rethuglicon cronies...

When it comes time to make a REAL decision they just say "NO", kick the can down the road or offer a tax cut for the filty rich.

Now that's the type of "government can't work, elect us and we'll prove it" leadership we have come to know and love from the GOP.

Fools and their freedoms are soon parted   October 29th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

Can i get a liberal Mormon to call out those in thier party against the hate speach??? I know you are out there....

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   October 29th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

Flip Romney just wants to be the oddball.

Joseph-Ohio   October 29th, 2009 1:17 pm ET

Know this, Romney will only make moves that he feels benefit his ability to gain the Republican nomination in 2012. In the end he will be forced to support some other "Republican Wack Job" as the Presidential hopeful. I mean come on Palin has more national appeal than this guy and that is not saying much.

Phat Elvis   October 29th, 2009 1:17 pm ET

Of course he won't– he cant tell which way the political winds are blowing. You know mitt, only commits when there is a path to follow!

Dieter Zerressen   October 29th, 2009 1:17 pm ET

For a Republican not to support the Republican in the race says a lot: one, that Mitt is a weeney and two, that the Republicans are afraid of offending their conservative wing. Either way they lose in the long run.

lasvegasrose   October 29th, 2009 1:11 pm ET

Romney only supports MORMON candidates, haven't you all figured that out yet? We have, here in NV. He's just like Ensign another Mormon, they don't speak ill of each other. lol

Steph   October 29th, 2009 1:08 pm ET

Who cares who this guy endorses? Are we asking every unemployed person who they endorse now-a-days? Honestly, other than giving speeches, what does Romney do with all of his time?

Melissa   October 29th, 2009 1:05 pm ET

Romney is a crazy nutbag and I wish he'd slink back under his rock and disappear.

demsrulz   October 29th, 2009 1:01 pm ET

Who cares... The republican party is dead... You can hear their ignorant death howl from miles away...

Rosebud   October 29th, 2009 12:58 pm ET

Way to go, stay balanced up there on your mile high fence.

M. Ames, Syracuse   October 29th, 2009 12:58 pm ET

I meant "won," not "one." Duh.

Aunt Bea and Opie   October 29th, 2009 12:55 pm ET

We are starting to feel sorry for this guy,he doesnt have a clue.

AEK   October 29th, 2009 12:54 pm ET

Way to take a stand Mr. Spineless! Not like you're negotiating with Iran or anything. Of course the neocons don't negotiate with anyone unless it's with a threat, either real or implied.

Sniffit   October 29th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

I swear he uses rubber cement in his hair...the fumes are what muddle his thoughts.

M. Ames, Syracuse   October 29th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

Beck, et al support Hoffman, the ultra-conservative who doesn't even live in the district. He's from Lake Placid which is in the 20th District.

I grew up in this district and it isn't just "generations" since a Democrat one. The way it has been redistricted, yes, but the core of this district–St. Lawrence County, etc. has not voted for a Democrat EVER. The area is 'bluing' slightly, voting for Hillary for Senate (twice) and voting for Obama.

Dede is probably a better fit. What in God's name does Dick Armey, Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin or that idiot Bachmann know about the region. At least two of them couldn't find it on a map. Armey said Hoffman's lack of knowledge on areas of concern throughout the region were simply "parochial." Duh....those are the kinds of things you Representatives deal with because they know the needs of their constituents.

notfooledtx   October 29th, 2009 12:49 pm ET

As usual mitts as wishy-washy as ever – he apparently has no convictions. How does he stand upright without a spine?

Glen Beck is king of the morons   October 29th, 2009 12:48 pm ET

He must have his magic BVDs on too tight today.hahahaha

Republicans are the American Taliban   October 29th, 2009 12:47 pm ET

Mormons believe that a womans place is in the home...and pregnant...thats why he jumped to endorse a candidate with a similar philosophy in Virginia...

Garrett   October 29th, 2009 12:45 pm ET

Mitt would have made a great President, better than Barrak....too bad we didn't realize this before the election.

ThinkAgain   October 29th, 2009 12:42 pm ET

Romney can suck up and blow about all he wants – he'll never get the Republican presidential nomination because the fundamentalist religious "right" has taken over the GOP – and he's a Mormon.

Google "evangelical" and "Mormon" and you'll see what I mean ...

GI Joe   October 29th, 2009 12:42 pm ET

Definitely smarter than Palin or Gingrich – prettier than both of them too. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Bring on the hair spray !!!

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   October 29th, 2009 12:41 pm ET

I'm surprised he's staying out of that one. I think that it is a smart move. If he picks the loser, it could hurt a run in 2012.

ThinkAgain   October 29th, 2009 12:40 pm ET

"That should speak a certain amount of volume."

Huh? The guy can't even speak English! Sheesh – must be a requirement to be a Republican presidential contender these days ...

ThinkAgain   October 29th, 2009 12:39 pm ET

No, Romney is setting himself up so that regardless of who wins, he can spin it that he supported the winner.

All Romney cares about is somehow getting the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. He'll be blowing about in the wind plenty between now and then ....

Republicans are the American Taliban   October 29th, 2009 12:39 pm ET

Who does Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly and Beck endorse? That's what really matters...

Jim in San Mateo   October 29th, 2009 12:39 pm ET

Apparently, Romney knows a land mine when he sees one and isn't stupid enough to step on it.

Debbie   October 29th, 2009 12:38 pm ET

Funny...Romney had no problem jumping into Virginia and backing an anti-women candidate.

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