Republican Party Finally Splitting?

[Sacralita Kurelek]

ALBANY, N.Y. — Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has endorsed a third-party candidate over the GOP-backed contender in New York's congressional special election, saying her own party has abandoned its core values.

The former Alaska governor, who was Arizona Sen. John McCain's running-mate last year, said Thursday she was backing Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman over Republican Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava in the 23rd Congressional District race.

Palin said Hoffman, a businessman, stands for Republican principles — smaller government, lower taxes and a commitment to individual liberty — and that Scozzafava is more aligned with Democrats.

The special election to fill New York's vacant 23rd congressional seat is perhaps the earliest test of the GOP's chances to reclaim the House in 2010. Yet the GOP candidate, Dede Scozzafava, has struggled to line up Republican support, and has taken a pummeling from conservative groups that assert she's liberal. The Club for Growth and Eagle Forum, among others, support her opponent, Doug Hoffman, who's running on the Conservative Party ticket.

Add North Texas' Dick Armey to the list of conservative stars backing Hoffman. The former House Majority Leader has confirmed to the Hoffman campaign that he'll spend Thursday with them, said Rob Ryan, a Hoffman spokesman. "He is with us almost all day Thursday," Ryan told me. "There will be a bunch of different events." Armey's endorsement of Hoffman is personal and wasn't offered on behalf of FreedomWorks, the conservative foundation he chairs.

The name "Dick Armey" makes me laugh no matter how many times i see it.
So is the GOP finally splitting between the Jesus party and the corporate shills?