To New York Conservatives, Abortion is a Litmus Test

Except when it isn’t. One district over from the epicenter of Tuesday’s contentious special election, in the 24th, functionaries in both the Republican and Conservative parties will embrace pro-choice Republican Richard Hanna, who narrowly lost last year’s race, if he runs again in 2010.

There are a couple of ways to read that. Either Dede Scozzafava’s support for gay marriage is what broke her Conservative support, the 24th is more liberal and thus requires a lighter touch, or party officials are already re-evaluating their RINO-hunting strategy. I doubt it’s the latter, but man can dream.

Also, congratulations to all who passed the New York bar exam — including yours truly!