The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday again took aim at conservatives who have endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's special election.

In an e-mail to supporters, Democratic strategist Paul Begala wrote that "the inmates have taken over the asylum, and are abandoning the Republican candidate [Dede Scozzafava] in favor of the extreme conservative."

"This race is neck and neck between Owens and Hoffman," DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer told The Hill's Reid Wilson.

Several prominent national Republicans have come to back Hoffman, including 2012 presidential hopefuls Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and ex-Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaksa). The district has long been held by Republicans.

"Do you want to see something REALLY scary this Halloween? Picture Sarah Palin endorsing a Conservative Party candidate and a favorite of the 'tea party' crowd in the NY-23 special election and raising $116,000 in 24 hours," wrote Begala.

"Call it the Palin Effect. Call it going rogue on her own Republican Party. Whatever we call it, we need to give it a powerful response from grassroots Democrats," he wrote, riffing on the title of her forthcoming book. 

The e-mail called for Democrats to raise $500,000 before midnight on Tuesday, which happens to be the first anniversary of President Barack Obama's electoral victory.

"This could either be a cause for concern or a great opportunity. Let's make it an opportunity -- a chance to see a good Democrat elected in a district that hasn't sent a Democrat to Congress since 1852," wrote Begala. "Let's send Sarah Palin and all those 'tea party' folks the strongest possible message that one year after Election Day 2008, President Obama is stronger than ever"