Cracked Up

The generic ballot is nearly tied, and recruits are jumping aboard the GOP train. And they're posting impressive FEC numbers to boot. So these are good times in the GOP caucus, right?

-- Not entirely. Reports from a 10/7 House GOP meeting indicate that some conservatives aren't happy with the NRCC for backing pro-choice, pro-gay marriage Assemb. DeDe Scozzafava (R) in NY-23. Usually, these intra-party squabbles resolve themselves in a primary. Unfortunately for nat'l GOPers, this primary is being played out in a high-stakes special election. Some GOPers say this is just background Beltway noise that won't affect her with voters at home. That may be true, but if murmurs of Scozzafava's fundraising difficulties turn out to be true, these DC divisions will certainly be a big source of that headache.

-- Her Dem opponent has his problems, too. Scozzafava has been able to steal key local labor support, preventing Bill Owens from corralling all of his base. But with Pres. Obama showing a big interest in the race by holding a fundraiser for Owens, chances are Dems will have an easier time than Scozzafava coalescing their base, especially with self-described "conservative Republican" accountant Doug Hoffman (C) hogging lots of conservative turf.

-- The GOP has been riding a wave so far this cycle. But the conservative/moderate feud that has roiled this race threatens to doom its chances in a contest they must win in order to prove that they're on the comeback trail.