GOP’s Scozzafava Robocalls for Democrat Bill Owens for NY-23 Race

ABC News' John Berman and Justin Anderson report:

It's the campaign turned Republican civil war, turned circus. Things just keep getting weirder in the race for New York's 23rd Congressional District. The Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava who, just this weekend dropped out of the race and endorsed the Democrat, today recorded a Robocall voicing her support for the Democrat Bill Owens.

Listen to the robocall HERE. The text is below:

“Hi, this is Dede Scozzafava calling on behalf of Bill Owens. And I wanted to let you know that I am supporting Bill for Congress.

“Since beginning my campaign I have said that this election is not about me, it's about the people of this district. It's not in the cards for me to be your representative but I strongly believe Bill Owens is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in Congress.

“In Bill Owens I see a sense of duty and integrity. He will be an independent voice, devoted to doing what is right for New York. To address the tough challenges ahead we must rise above partisanship and politics, and work together.

“Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday.”

This is coming from the mouth of a candidate whom the Republican Party spent more than a million dollars supporting.

Some on the right are most displeased with Scozzafava's actions. On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh said, “Dee Dee Scazafava is illustrating precisely what moderate republicans will do . (6) and who moderate republicans are. (9)” Using the term RINO, or Republican in Name Only, Limbuagh said, ” Scasafava screwed every RINO in the .., we can say she' guilty of wide spread bestiality, she had screwed every RINO in the country. Everyone can just see how phony and dangerous they are.”

The Republican National Committee has now come out in support of Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman. In an interview with ABC News, Hoffman said, “all along I've been fighting for the soul of the republican party, for the values and ideals that it stands for.”

When asked if there is room in the Republican party for opposing views, he said, “For moderate views, yes, but not ultra liberal views.” The tent, should only be so big, he said, “isn't that true in life in general? There is always boundaries.”

ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) is wading into the looming Texas Senate race by throwing his support to state Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.

“A conservative like Michael Williams comes along only so often,” writes Gingrich in a fundraising solicitation for Williams. “He has the rare courage of someone who has fought the tough fights at a young age. He can take back the Democrats? turf on issues like the environment, energy, education and the economy.”

Williams, who is African American, is preparing to run for the Senate seat which is expected to become vacant if (and when) Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison resigns in order to focus full time on a gubernatorial run against Gov. Rick Perry, a fellow Republican.

Hutchison has said that a resignation will likely come in October or November of this year.

Gingrich is taking the unusual step of making an endorsement ahead of a potentially competitive GOP primary according to his spokesperson because he got to know Williams when he discussed energy policy as part of American Solutions, an annual event organized by Gingrich which tries to promote conservative public policies with strong levels of support among Republicans, Democrats, and independents.

As Texas Railroad Commissioner, Williams helps regulate the state's oil and gas industry.

Multiple Texas Republicans are eyeing Hutchison's seat but the GOP field is unsettled as Senate hopefuls wait to see whom Perry chooses to replace his gubernatorial rival.

The top two Democrats eyeing the Senate race are former Comptroller John Sharpe and Houston Mayor Bill White.

While Perry has not yet signaled whom he is going to choose for the Senate seat, the Williams campaign is already honing its pro-Perry pitch in the hopes of snagging the appointment.

“We need more Texas in Washington not more Washington in Texas,” Williams campaign manager Corbin Casteel told ABC News.

Steele on Romney: GOP Base ‘Rejected’ Romney in 2008 Presidential Race

ABC News’ Matt Stuart reports: RNC Chairman Michael Steele is drawing attention for claiming that the Republican base “rejected” former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

In a clip posted on the Think Progress website, while Steele was guest hosting the Bill Bennett radio show last Friday, a caller claimed that Romney could have beaten President Obama in the general election. Steele responded boldly that, “it was the base that rejected Mitt because of his switch on pro-life, from pro-choice to pro-life.” Steele went on to say that the base “had issues with Mormonism,” and “made clear they had issues with Mitt because if they didn’t, he would have defeated John McCain.”

Today, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom kept his response to a minimum. “Sometimes when you shoot from the hip you miss the target. This is one of those times.”

Since dropping out of the race, Romney has remained active in the Republican party through his Free and Strong America PAC. Romney supported Sen. John McCain’s campaign and, more recently, participated in the National Council for a New America, a group aimed at re-focusing the Republican party, fueling speculation that he is planning another run in 2012.

Duncan Withdraws from RNC Race

ABC News’ Rick Klein and Teddy Davis Report: Current RNC Chairman Mike Duncan withdrew from contention for another term at the helm of the Republican Party Friday afternoon — clearly sensing that he would not gain majority support to stay on.

“Obviously, the winds of change are blowing at the RNC,” Duncan told RNC members in Washington, to a standing ovation.

Duncan, who had the burden of being the hand-selected choice of President Bush to lead the RNC, placed first in the initial round of balloting, but was well short of the 85 votes he needed to win.

The decision narrows the field of candidates to four — with former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson surging in the third round of balloting. The second choice of Duncan’s supporters — Duncan still garnered 44 votes, good for second place, in the third round of balloting — could be critical in determining the winner.

Duncan is well-liked by committee members but his association with Bush burdened his candidacy at a time when the party is looking for a way to come back from the electoral drubbing it has taken in the last two elections.