Fred B. Brown wrote:

"Cliff" wrote in message
news
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/ny...4district.html
"Conservative Loses Upstate House Race in Blow to Right "
[
Mr. Hoffman spoke to a deflated crowd of about 50 in a hotel ballroom
here soon
after midnight on Wednesday and said he had called Mr. Owens to concede.
]
[
The district has been a Republican stronghold for generations, and the
party has
represented parts of it since the 19th century.

The battle became one of the most closely followed races in the
nation, drawing
in some of the biggest forces in politics in both parties. Republicans
who
viewed the race as a test of the party's most deeply held conservative
principles - including Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska;
Gov. Tim
Pawlenty of Minnesota, a presidential hopeful; and grass-roots groups
that have
forcefully opposed Democratic economic and health care policies -
rallied behind
Mr. Hoffman.
]

They had held that district since the 1800s ....

That's a bit misleading. The district has changed over the years. Some
smaller districts were rolled into NY23. When you look at those you find
plenty of Democrats elected. Here's just a few:

Peter A. Peyser Democratic January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983
Samuel S. Stratton Democratic January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989
Michael R. McNulty Democratic January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Yor...ional_district



Hoffman will be back in 2010, Tuesday's election was for one year. Next
year
Dede won't be on the ballot. Hoffman did great considering having no
political
experience and the short time he had to campaign.

Hoffman had a Charisma Deficit.
If he'd had a marketable media personality he would have won by a
landslide. Hopefully he will get some coaching soon.