November 2, 2009
Posted: November 2nd, 2009 05:33 PM ET

From
House Minority Leader John Boehner said Monday that he regretted having endorsed Dede Scozzafava.
House Minority Leader John Boehner said Monday that he regretted having endorsed Dede Scozzafava.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The top Republican in the House said Monday that he regretted endorsing Dede Scozzafava, the former GOP candidate who dropped out of a special election to fill a vacant congressional seat in upstate New York.

"This lady really has an agenda that's different than most Republicans, House GOP Leader John Boehner. "She was out there promoting herself. We're doing everything we can to promote Doug Hoffman in this race, and we hope he wins."

Boehner and other House Republican leaders all lined up behind Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman after Scozzafava withdrew Saturday. On Sunday, Scozzafava endorsed Democrat Bill Owens.

Boehner dismissed the notion that the special election in New York was a reflection on the future of the Republican Party. "This race has a lot of unique circumstances," he said. "I have no concerns about the ability of moderates and conservatives to continue to work together."

Filed under: Dede Scozzafava • John Boehner • NY-23


democrat   November 2nd, 2009 10:59 pm ET

CNN is pretty pathetic. Tommorow you will get a glimse of the future. Conservative values will reign again and your state run media center will be baffled.

JP   November 2nd, 2009 10:31 pm ET

This is a real "gotcha" moment for republicans who play politics. Its clear that Boehner is playing politics, and the only reason he is regretful is because the republican candidate has now backed the democrat candidate.

wesmorgan1   November 2nd, 2009 10:29 pm ET

Oh, and why don't you guys put up a nice, fat article titled, "GOP leaders flip-flop on Scozzafava," hm? I mean, here's Boehner blasting a moderate, and you allow him to mouth a platitude about "moderates and conservatives working together?" Yesterday, your Ticker quoted him as saying that moderates are welcome in the GOP, and today you let him blast Scozzafava?

Toss in Gingrich's flip-flop, Armey's characterization of the local paper's concerns (FT Drum, dairy industry) as "parochial," and all the rest, and you have a perfect story of people willing to go into Orwellian Newspeak to defend their abandonment of their local members. Why not run with that?

wesmorgan1   November 2nd, 2009 10:25 pm ET

I can't believe that the current front-page article on Scozzafava suggests that "grass-roots activists" pushed her aside. It was Dick Armey, the Club for Growth, and a crew of NATIONAL players that did so. Hoffman doesn't even live in the district, for crying out loud, and now he's a grass-roots hero? I think not.

quarterback   November 2nd, 2009 10:21 pm ET

Bonehead pulls another boner.

What an idiot.

Who elects these losers?

New Yorker   November 2nd, 2009 10:19 pm ET

Dede never belonged in the republican party. She is a liberal democrat and has proven it. I pray Hoffman wins this election. The democrats are ruining this nation.

from the middle   November 2nd, 2009 10:18 pm ET

When a man is orange, can we ever know what is truly in his soul?

JJ in Chula Vista, CA   November 2nd, 2009 10:03 pm ET

Someone, pleeease, throw him a bone!

JonDie   November 2nd, 2009 9:57 pm ET

Then why did Boehner endorse her? Doesn't he know who running his own party?

mario mtl ca   November 2nd, 2009 9:55 pm ET

That's the the republican job stabbing the back of your opponent even if this one is on the same party as them. No more gops too dangerous

mjm   November 2nd, 2009 9:16 pm ET

wow......The 122 Americans that die every day due to lack of healthcare, not so much.
____________________

Really? 122 Americans die because they lack health insurance? That's terrible! Too bad HR 3200 leaves about 12 million uninsured. I really would have liked to save that 122/day.

How many people die with insurance? Is Obama going to stop that? You know he's not REALLY god...right?

And if you think Medicare Part D was bad wait until you see what HR 3200 does to the deficit.

And War had more votes in congress than either of these health care bills. shows you how good the bills are.

victim of republican greed   November 2nd, 2009 5:59 pm ET

Stand up Boner and take your punishment from the wingnuts like a real man, you empty suit, flip flopping, supporter of corporate greed.

Mack   November 2nd, 2009 5:56 pm ET

He was for her before he was against her.

gary davis Harbor Oregon   November 2nd, 2009 5:54 pm ET

Bonner and his group of jackels are about to loose another set at the table .. and the democrates if they stay smart and get together on the same page as the president is .. we americans will finnaly take back the country from the republican threat and lie machine of the last 8 years.. yay ya ya :)

victim of republican greed   November 2nd, 2009 5:52 pm ET

Boner is getting worried that he may be next on the wingnut hit list.

normajean   November 2nd, 2009 5:51 pm ET

Mr. Boehner, I didn't realize that the Republicans had an agenda. I have waited and looked for months trying to find one,but so far nothing.As to the future of the Republican party, I do so hope that you studied something in school that will prepare you for the outside world as I'm sure your political future is in great doubt.

Dean   November 2nd, 2009 5:50 pm ET

John fell out of lockstep on that one, Rush will punish him now.

wow   November 2nd, 2009 5:44 pm ET

Supporting Scozzafava he regrets.

Supporting Bush and Cheney in terms of WAR, TAX BREAKS for the WEALTHY, BLOWING UP THE DEFECIT DUE TO MEDICARE PART D, not so much.

Really working on healthcare reform, instead of lying that he will have a "plan" soon, not so much. The 122 Americans that die every day due to lack of healthcare, not so much.

Give me a break!

Enough Already   November 2nd, 2009 5:35 pm ET

I was for her before I was against her. Typical Republican.

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