Why was McCarthy choosing party over principles in NY race?
Congressmen Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, seemed to have been backing Dede Scozzafava, a liberal Republican candidate who favors abortion and homosexual marriage, has close ties with ACORN and supported Obama's trillion-dollar stimulus package for New York's 23rd Congressional District seat in the coming special election.
Before Scozzafava dropped out Saturday, her main opponent was Doug Hoffman, a social and fiscal conservative who is favored by conservatives, including Sarah Palin and Fred Thompson.
This conflict is indicative of the current battle for the identity of the Republican Party, with one side standing upon immutable conservative principles, and the other side willing to sell out on principles in order to build a larger party.
A party without principles is not worth having. It appears that McCarthy favors party growth over principles.
MARTIN BERTRAM
Bakersfield
