Pawlenty ‘Concerned’ About NY GOP Candidate; Plans Endorsement Soon

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports:

With the Republican Party splintering over a House race in upstate New York, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on ABCNews.com's “Top Line” today that he has significant concerns about the Republican candidate's positions on key issues, as well as the process by which she was chosen as the GOP nominee.

In New York State's 23rd congressional district, Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava is facing a challenge on her right from Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman — who nabbed the endorsement of former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, yesterday.

Pawlenty, who's widely mentioned as a possible 2012 presidential candidate, said he will “probably” make an endorsement in the race — and sounded as if he's poised to support Hoffman over Scozzafava.

“As a conservative I'm concerned about some of the alleged issue positions that she holds,” said Pawlenty, R-Minn. “I want to be fair to both candidates and look at their records. But there are some things that [I] have been told that you know, she holds dear, that may not be consistent with conservative principles.”

His comments underscore the extent to which the race between Scozzafava, Hoffman, and Democrat Bill Owens is coming to define the direction of the Republican Party.

Scozzafava was chosen by local county chairmen to be the GOP nominee in the Nov. 3 special election, and the Republican National Committee and other national party entities are supporting her. But her support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights, among other issues, has rankled other Republicans, including Palin.

GOP leaders including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are saying they'll support Scozzafava in the interest of winning a moderate district.

But Pawlenty said that as far as he's concerned, having an “R” next to a candidate's name isn't enough.

“As a conservative I am worried about some of the things I've heard in this race about how the person was selected,” he said. “It seemed to be a small group of insiders, as opposed to the party more broadly. But I want to take some time to get to know the records of these individuals before I make a decision about who to endorse or not.”

To watch the full interview with Pawlenty, click HERE.

GOP Senate Candidate: I’m Not Giving Back Joe Wilson Money

ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:

The Connecticut Democratic Party is using $8,000 worth of donations from the man whom they have dubbed Rep. Joe “You Lie!” Wilson, R-S.C., to impugn former Rep. Rob Simmons, the Connecticut Republican who is hoping to be the GOP's Senate nominee against embattled Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd.

Contacted by ABC News, Simmons indicated that he has no plans to return the Wilson funds.

“I think that was quite a long time ago, wasn't?” said Simmons who had not personally seen the press release from the Connecticut Democratic Party.

Asked about Wilson's outburst, Simmons said, “All I know from reading the newspapers, is that a representative made a comment and then apologized.”

Simmons then attempted to turn the tables on Dodd who announced earlier this week that he has decided to keep the Senate Banking Committee gavel instead of moving to become chairman of the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee which used to be chaired by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

“Maybe Chris Dodd needs to be giving back some banker money,” said Simmons.

“I think he should begin by giving back all the banker money that he has been stuffing into his pockets this year,” he added.

Simmons says that if he were to ever become chairman of a Senate Committee, he will not accept money from the industries he is charged with overseeing.

He would, however, raise money from them if he were merely a junior member.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Backs Sotomayor

ABC News’ David Chalian reports:

One day after President Obama campaigned for his opponent, the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate, former US Attorney Chris Christie, today endorsed Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.

“After watching and listening to Judge Sotomayor's performance at the confirmation hearings this week, I am confident that she is qualified for the position of Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Elections have consequences,” Christie said in a statement.

”While Judge Sotomayor would not have been my choice, President Obama has used his opportunity to fill a seat on the Supreme Court by choosing a nominee who has more than proven her capability, competence and ability. . . . This is a historic moment and her inspiring success story should not only make the Latino community proud, but all Americans.”

Christie’s move suggests that Gov. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., is not the only candidate who understands Obama's popularity, and the president’s shrewd political play in nominating Sotomayor. His GOP opponent has embraced some of the Obama appeal in a very blue state, while continuing to hammer away at Gov. Corzine.

‘Top Line’: Colorado Senate Candidate — New Face for GOP?

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports:

Ryan Frazier is not a well-known entity in Washington political circles.

But that may change soon — and if it does, the Republican Party may have a new face to showcase in 2010 and beyond.

Frazier, a 31-year-old African-American city council member from Aurora, Colo., is running for the US Senate next year. He offers youth and diversity to a party that’s lacking in both these days.

He’s pitching himself as part of a new generation of Republican leaders — well-suited for the Obama era, even if he’s from the opposing party.

“We have something to offer. We have ideas and solutions that can help move this country in a better direction, and so that’s what we’re doing and that’s what my campaign and candidacy represents,” Frazier said on ABCNews.com’s “Top Line” Wednesday.

“These are amazing, historic times, and that’s why someone like me can actually put myself up for consideration by the voters for Colorado. I like to joke and say, you know, not only did we see the historic election of President Barack Obama, but UTEP went undefeated and the Arizona Cardinals went to the Super Bowl.”

At this stage, he may be as much of a long shot as the Cardinals were against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other Republicans with more established bases are likely to get in the primary race — Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck has jumped in, and former Rep. Bob Beauprez is considering one.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee isn’t endorsing a candidate, at least not yet. And Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., is running for a full term of his own, after being appointed to fill the last two years of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s term.

But Frazier represents an intriguing possibility, as the Republican Party seeks a way forward.

“Principles mean something, principles help guide decisions. At the same time, you know, we need to apply, I think, Reagan’s 80-20 Rule,” he said.

Ronald Reagan’s maxim: Someone who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is your friend, not your enemy.

Frazier said: “We’re not going to always agree on everything and we need to understand that, and the bottom line is, we have to help move this country, and in my particular case, Colorado, forward. And that means finding solutions that people care about, whether it’s education, energy, government reform, defense. We need to offer up real ideas.”

On immigration: “The reality is that what we need is a tactical reform that allows those folks who are currently an opportunity to work here while allowing them first to return home and come back legally. I think that we have to look at reform that would allow us to respect the laws of this country while still understanding and embracing the fact that these folks, most of these folks, are here to do the right thing. They’re here to work.”

On gay rights: “I do support traditional marriage between a man and a woman. I’m very clear on that. However, I think there are areas where there’s room for reasonableness. You know, that is, when it comes to domestic partnerships, and that’s why I support it, extending employment benefits to domestic partners. It’s about doing what’s right for the employee, and I think these are issues where Republicans can find some common ground to say, you can still preserve the institution of marriage and what that means to the family while also embracing the ability to be tolerant to those who seek another lifestyle in our country, by allowing simple things like access to employment benefits.”

Watch our interview with Ryan Frazier HERE.

Also today, we chatted with Ana Marie Cox of Air America and The Daily Beast about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the debate over torture, the healthcare debate,

Watch our interview with Ana Marie Cox HERE.

GOP Group: N.Y. House Candidate Backs ‘Radical Agenda’

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: National money is set to flow into the tightening race for an upstate New York House seat, with an outside group set to make a major TV purchase to seek to boost the prospects of Republican Jim Tedisco.

The ad — funded by the National Republican Trust, which is set to drop $200,000 into the race in the next two weeks — attacks Democratic candidate Scott Murphy’s record on jobs, according to a copy of the ad obtained by ABC News.

“Scott Murphy bragged he created thousands of jobs — but just not here in New York. He created jobs in India,” the ad says, picking up on a theme being hammered by the National Republican Campaign Committee.

As a possible window into 2010 GOP messaging, the ad goes on to say that Murphy will support a “radical agenda,” tying him to the fiscal woes in Washington. The ad, however, does not mention President Obama.

“Now he’s promised to back a radical agenda — trillions in wasteful spending, job killing taxes, crushing debt,” the ad says.

The campaign for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s old House seat is considered a prime pick-up opportunity for Republicans. A Siena College poll released this week showed the race tightening in advance of the March 31 special election.

News of the buy from the National Republican Trust comes in the wake of Tedisco’s statement attempting to distance himself from the NRCC.

“I’m taking over and we’re going to run a campaign that relates to the people of the 20th Congressional District,” Tedisco told the Glen Falls Post-Star.