Weiner's former seat won by a Republican

[Caliga]

Wow...

Republican Wins Democrat Weiner's House Seat
by Joel Rose

September 14, 2011

Republicans have pulled off an upset in a special election to replace former New York City Rep. Anthony Weiner. Bob Turner claimed victory over Democrat David Weprin Tuesday night.

Democrats hold a 3-1 registration advantage in the district that spans parts of Queens and Brooklyn. And they put scores of volunteers to work canvassing on Election Day, but none of it was enough to stop Turner.

"We've been asked by the people of this district to send a message to Washington, and I hope they hear it loud and clear," Turner said in his victory speech shortly after midnight.

As he had throughout the campaign, Turner framed the result as a referendum on the policies of President Obama.

"We're ready to say, 'Mr. President, we are on the wrong track.'" Turner told the crowd.

It was less than a year ago that Turner, a retired cable TV executive, ran against Anthony Weiner, and lost by more than 20 points. Democrats hoped that support would carry over to state Assemblyman David Weprin. But those hopes had faded by earlier evening.

Weprin spokesman Anthony Hogrebe admitted the district is no slam dunk for Democrats.

"Keep in mind, President Obama only received 55 percent of the vote in 2008," Hogrebe said. "So it's not as democratic, or as sure of a democratic district as folks seem to think. That said, really what I think made the difference is, this is a special election. Special elections are always unpredictable."

The meaning of this special election will likely be debated well into 2012. But for some voters, it clearly was a referendum on the president.

"It's not based on Turner versus Weprin, a lot of it is anti-Obama," said Stuart Schnitzer, who lives in Forest Hills, Queens. He describes himself as a Democrat but he says he voted for Republican Turner because he's unhappy about the Obama administration's policy toward Israel.

"Hopefully my vote counts, and sends a message to Washington: Don't screw with Israel," Schnitzer said. "You have to choose your friends wisely. That's my opinion. A lot of people feel the same way."

Including Ed Koch, the former democratic mayor of New York City, who crossed party lines to endorse Turner. Koch said a Republican victory could influence the Obama administration to change its stance on Israel. But a lot of Democratic voters disagree.

"There may be some people that are voting against Weprin because they think they're voting against Obama," said Greg Stein of Forest Hills. "I don't buy it. I don't see that connection well at all."

Stein thinks voters in the district are angry about the economy, not the president's foreign policy.

"The people are really unhappy with the speed of the recovery," Stein added. "I don't think it has anything to do with national policy."

Other Democratic voters placed the blame for Weprin's defeat on the shoulders — or maybe the thumbs — of Anthony Weiner. The former congressman resigned in June after sending lewd photos and text messages and then lying about it.

"It's Weiner's fault," said Gary Brocks of Forest Hills. "He was completely irresponsible. People elect you to office, put their trust in you. You've gotta do better than that."

The seat may not stay in Republican hands for long. In fact, it could disappear altogether. New York state is set to lose two congressional districts next year, and this is expected to be one of them.

[CountDeMoney]

I had no idea Obama has screwed with Israel.

[Eddie Teach]

I think he said something wacky like maybe they should stop making Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

[11B4V]

 

[jimmy olsen]

Already a thread!

http://languish.org/forums/index.php?topic=5941.0

Neil, merge these!

[11B4V]

Tim punks C-note

[Caliga]

Already a thread!

http://languish.org/forums/index.php?topic=5941.0

Neil, merge these!

Give your threads clear titles pl0x.

[CountDeMoney]

I think he said something wacky like maybe they should stop making Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Ah, I see.  Casting them back into the ocean, then.

[Ed Anger]

I'm laughing my ass off.

[DGuller]

As i said in the other thread, it's not that surprising.  Weiner's district has a lot of Russian immigrants, who as a group are virulently Republican.

[derspiess]

As i said in the other thread, it's not that surprising.  Weiner's district has a lot of Russian immigrants, who as a group are virulently Republican.

It should be surprising, given that a Republican hasn't held that seat since the 1920s.  The seat had been held by such Dem luminaries as Geraldine Ferraro & Chuckie Schumer, in addition to Weinerboy of course.  But whatever helps you cope. 

Anyway,   This almost as ossum as the Dems losing Ted's seat in 09.

[DGuller]

As i said in the other thread, it's not that surprising.  Weiner's district has a lot of Russian immigrants, who as a group are virulently Republican.

It should be surprising, given that a Republican hasn't held that seat since the 1920s.  The seat had been held by such Dem luminaries as Geraldine Ferraro & Chuckie Schumer, in addition to Weinerboy of course.  But whatever helps you cope. 

Anyway,   This almost as ossum as the Dems losing Ted's seat in 09.

Given that I lived in that district for 11 years, I might know about it a little bit more than some GOPtard in Ohio who just goes with the narrative of fellow extremists. 

Demographics change.  I've heard talk of this district being far from a lock for Democrats long before the election.  Weiner had the incumbent power, but the district was getting more and more conservative over the years.  In any case, this uber-gerrymandered district is on the chopping block, so the actual effect of this special election is quite limited.

[Razgovory]

It would seem Weiner was right when he said the Republican health care plan was to "die quickly".  At least judging from the Tea Party debate.

[Eddie Teach]

Given that I lived in that district for 11 years, I might know about it a little bit more than some GOPtard in Ohio who just goes with the narrative of fellow extremists. 

You might. Personally, I don't know a thing about my district, borders, demographics, etc. Don't even know who the incumbent is. 

Local politics is boring.

[derspiess]

Given that I lived in that district for 11 years, I might know about it a little bit more

Sometimes an outside perspective is healthy.  Anyway, from what I can tell a majority of voters in that district are still Democrat.  It's not a shock in terms of polling data that had been available, but I think most people were legitimately surprised that a bona fide conservative GOP candidate won against an Orthodox Jewish Democrat candidate.

than some GOPtard in Ohio who just goes with the narrative of fellow extremists. 

Not so.  I looked that up myself.

Demographics change.  I've heard talk of this district being far from a lock for Democrats long before the election.  Weiner had the incumbent power, but the district was getting more and more conservative over the years.

No arguments with that. 

In any case, this uber-gerrymandered district is on the chopping block, so the actual effect of this special election is quite limited.

More self-soothing.