BREAKING: GEORGE PATAKI ENDORSESDOUG HOFFMAN FOR NY-23 SEAT

PATAKI DROPS BOMBSHELL ON
SCOZZAFAVA, REPUBLICANS

REDSTATE: Former New York Governor George Pakati has formally endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman tonight. In a statement obtained by Erick Erickson of the RedState blog, Pataki says that he believes Hoffman "will stand tall against those who despise our freedoms and...will be a vigilant stalwart against those who would substitute government programs for individual initiative." Pataki, who has been approached by the Republicans for a possible Senate run in 2010, remains very popular in upstate New York and his unequivocal endorsement is likely to carry a great deal of weight.

SCOZZAFAVA DINGS OPPONENTS ON EXPERIENCE,
CLAIMS NEVER TO HAVE VOTED TO RAISE TAXES.

SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD: For Dede Scozzafava, Thursday afternoon's debate was a game of quick offensive and defensive shifts. With her record under assault from both her opponents, the Republican candidate highlighted her years of service and the particular knowledge about local issues that experience had given her. Her charge that whoever wins the race should "have an understanding of the issues rather than national syndicated shows" seemed aimed specifically at Doug Hoffman. She also claimed that her voting record had been distorted by both men and that she has never voted for a tax increase. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has claimed that Scozzafava voted for 190 tax and fee increases, a charge the Watertown Daily Times considered specious.