“A vote for fill-in-the-blank conservative third-party candidate — be it Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, or Pat Buchanan — is a vote for the Democrats. This argument has kept many a disgruntled conservative on the Republican reservation, no matter how hard they had to hold their nose in November. … Whether or not Doug Hoffman wins next Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 23rd congressional district, that argument may sound a lot less persuasive to conservatives because of his candidacy. Sarah Palin, the GOP’s 2008 vice-presidential nominee, has endorsed Hoffman over the liberal Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava. So have Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Republican ex-senators turned presidential prospects Fred Thompson and Rick Santorum.” (10/29/09)