Conservative candidate getting traction in NY special

Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman is beginning to look like he might be a force in the upcoming New York special election.

There has been a hole on the right ever since the GOP nominated pro-labor, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion rights state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava. The question was: How well does that hole got filled.

It seems Republicans are starting to guard against the possibility that Hoffman gets some traction. Scozzafava’s spokesman denounced him in the press Monday, and today the campaign passed around a local report about Hoffman in which he couldn’t name a federal program or entitlement he would cut.

Hoffman has also gained positive press in recent days in Washington, where a Washington Times columnist openly urged GOP voters to support Hoffman over Scozzafava.

Campaigns don’t pay attention to third-party candidates unless they at least have some potential. Scozzafava was seen as a solid middle-of-road candidate when she was picked, and she is probably the favorite if it’s one-on-one with the Democrat. But if Hoffman can put together some money and continue to get press attention, he could steal a significant chunk of the vote, and that could open the door to Democrat Bill Owens.