In an ominous sign for Rep. Vito Fossella, the campaign arm of the national Republican Party is refusing to support him publicly.

When asked to comment on the race in New York’s 13th District, which includes Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Julie Shutley, said only that voters in the district “believe in national security and lower taxes” and will reject Democratic policies.

She would not say whether the committee had endorsed the candidacy of Mr. Fossella, the Republican incumbent who was arrested last week on drunken driving charges.

The statement marks a significant departure for the party, which generally supports its incumbent lawmakers. Just last month, Vice President Cheney headlined a fund-raiser in New York for Mr. Fossella, who is facing a challenge by two Democrats, Stephen Harrison and a City Council member, Domenic Recchia.

The Washington Post reported yesterday afternoon that Republican insiders say there is little chance Mr. Fossella, who has spent more than a decade in Congress, will seek re-election.

Last week, Mr. Fossella was arrested for drunken driving in Alexandria, Va., with a blood alcohol content level of 0.17%, more than twice the legal limit. If convicted, he faces a mandatory five-day jail term

Source: NY Sun