Tea Party leader says movement is "bigger" than Doug Hoffman

(09/16/10) Two days after the Republican primary in the 23rd district, the election drama continues.

Doug Hoffman issued his first statement late yesterday afternoon calling the race "fluid." Hoffman said "thousands of absentee and military ballots remain to be counted," adding -quote--"There is no clear victor."

Watertown businessman Matt Doheny still holds a lead of roughly six hundred votes. But at least 1700 absentee ballots remain to be counted. It remains unclear whether Hoffman will continue in the campaign as a third-party Conservative.

Meanwhile yesterday one of Hoffman's closest allies through the primary told North Country Public Radio that the Hoffman campaign had been mismanaged and is "no longer viable." Mark Barie, head of UNYTEA, says he will "throw Doug Hoffman under the bus" if that's what it takes to beat Democrat Bill Owens in November. Barie spoke with Brian Mann last night.