from cnnpolitics.com
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty, two Republicans widely viewed as possible 2012 White House hopefuls, weighed in Thursday night on the closely-watched special election in New York's 23rd congressional district. They chose very different approaches - but neither endorsed the GOP candidate.
Calling it a matter of principle, Palin - the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate - bucked her party and enthusiastically endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman over Republican Dede Scozzafava. The race has attracted national attention, especially from grassroots activists who accuse Scozzafava of not being conservative enough to run under the Republican party mantle.
"Doug Hoffman stands for the principles that all Republicans should share: smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense, and a commitment to individual liberty," the former Alaska governor wrote on her Facebook page. "Political parties must stand for something."
Palin then urged her supporters to donate to Hoffman, who she said "has not been anointed by any political machine."
Just minutes before she made the announcement, Pawlenty happened to be speaking to reporters in Washington after a fundraiser for his new political action committee. The Minnesota governor refused to make an endorsement when asked about the race.
"You know I haven't been following that, I haven't studied the race at all," he said. "It's not that I would or wouldn't, I just don't know anything about it. I haven't taken the time to study their positions, their records, so I haven't taken a position on it."
Where are the "conservatives" here on Primebuzz on this race?
The silence from our good conservative friends here on this race is deafening.
Do they agree with the sainted Sarah Palin who has endorsed the true conservative or do they agree with the sainted Newt Gingerich and the Republican established who have apparently endorsed a RINO? Crist - Rubio? Who is the true conservative to take on Ike Skelton? My good conservative friends, you will have a lot of choices to make this coming year.
Perhaps, because Joe Wilson has not yet declared who the liar is, our good conservative friends don't know who they are supposed to want win this race.