October 31, 2009

1:15 pm EDT

by Michael Patrick Leahy

In an exclusive interview with The TCOT Report, Dede Scozzafava Campaign spokesperson Matt Burns acknowledged that the Tea Party activists and conservative blogosphere played a significant role in the circumstances that led to Scozzafava's withdrawal today from the NY 23rd special election.

Burns described the decision making process that led to her withdrawal.

"I think I had a conversation with her last night about the poll. We had a long discussion. She felt it was in the best interest of the party for her to withdraw. In fairness to those folks who stood by her earlier, she knew they were under a lot of pressure.

Ultimately it was a case where she was defined very early on and didn't have the resources to respond. I think they [the Tea Party activists and conservative bloggers like Erick Erickson of Red State] played a significant role. I have a great deal of respect for the work they do. I understand the role of the blogosphere. There's a strong blogosphere on the Left, and a strong blogosphere on the Right. There really isn't a blogosphere for the candidates in the middle.

It's a combination of factors that led to her withdrawal. The Pataki endorsement of Hoffman didn't push her over the top. First and foremost was our inability to respond to the attacks adequately, given our limited resources."

When asked about Scozzafava's future with the Republican Party, Burns responded definitively:

"She's been a Republican her entire life. She's been in the party her entire life. That's not changing."

It was a bittersweet homecoming for Burns, who grew up in Canton, New York before going off to Monmouth College in New Jersey. Until the Scozzafava campaign, he had been a bright young star in the Republican firmament. He had served in the Pataki Administration, worked in Communications Department at the Veterans Administration, and landed the plum assignment as the Communications Director at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

In an ultimate irony, Burns had fought hard to credential bloggers at the Convention, and considered himself a natural ally.

When asked of his future plans, Burns was upbeat, and showed no hint of bitterness.

"I get through today and I will assess that later. I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities."





Michael Patrick Leahy is the publisher of The TCOT Report and the author of Rules for Conservative Radicals


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