Why was the New York 23rd such a "big win" for Democrats?

[Area Man]

I don't think it was a 'big victory' for the dems as much as a 'big loss' for all the right wingers who threw their support to the guy who lost.

[Stuball]

Originally Posted by adroit

I've heard some comments like this district has been basically all Republican since the civil war, or all Republican for the last 100 years, etc.

In the past 100 years, Republicans have held the seat for....30ish years. Democrats have held the seat for 66ish years. (I did a quick count, so there may be rounding errors, plus there were some periods of time where the seat was vacant).

Since the civil war, Republicans have held the seat for 66ish years. Democrats have held it for 74ish years.

Again, why are people saying this win is such a huge victory for Democrats?

I have seenConservatives here claim it as a victory for them

[OIVORY]

Originally Posted by Stuball

I have seenConservatives here claim it as a victory for them

How about we agree it was a push for Dems and Cons.

Conservatives won because Scozzafava dropped out.
Dems won because Nancy has 1 more vote.

Again, I'll state: I am much happier putting a D in office than an R who would vote with Nancy.

That is the conservative win. It isn't a huge conservative loss because the vote was very close, and the candidate (Hoffman) had many issues stacked against him including:
- Not familiar with local issues.
- 1 month to run
- Not funded by $900,000 from Rep. party.
- The Rep candidate backed someone else.
- There was no R next to his name on the ballot (combined with an R next to someone elses name)

All of those combine to make it not a huge loss. Granted, it would have been awesome had he won, but it isn't like Owens got 75% of the vote.

[darknessesedge]

Originally Posted by adroit

I've heard some comments like this district has been basically all Republican since the civil war, or all Republican for the last 100 years, etc.

In the past 100 years, Republicans have held the seat for....30ish years. Democrats have held the seat for 66ish years. (I did a quick count, so there may be rounding errors, plus there were some periods of time where the seat was vacant).

Since the civil war, Republicans have held the seat for 66ish years. Democrats have held it for 74ish years.

Again, why are people saying this win is such a huge victory for Democrats?

it was a wake up call for libertarians/conservs..
hoffman came really close...especially for a guy no one has heard of before and after the rhino threw her support behind the lib..
we will see in 2010 when hoffman has a full yr to campaign.

[Mohawk5]

Don't let them fool you it wasn't.

[AHA]

Originally Posted by Plasmaball

same can be said for va and nj.
Of course had hoffman one it would have looked like new years eve on here.

I find your equating NY-23 with Virginia & New Jersey (especially NJ) to be amusing and a sure sign of delusion. The latter is a far better indicator of what's in store for democraTICS. NY-23 was just icing and will be represented by a Republican anyway in 15 months.