:blink: Wow...
QuoteRepublican 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.
I had no idea Obama has screwed with Israel.
I think he said something wacky like maybe they should stop making Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
:nelson:
Already a thread!
http://languish.org/forums/index.php?topic=5941.0
Neil, merge these!
Tim punks C-note
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 14, 2011, 05:27:46 AM
Already a thread!
http://languish.org/forums/index.php?topic=5941.0
Neil, merge these!
Give your threads clear titles pl0x. :(
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 14, 2011, 05:10:11 AM
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.
I'm laughing my ass off.
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.
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 07:48:11 AM
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, :nelson: This almost as ossum as the Dems losing Ted's seat in 09.
Quote from: derspiess on September 14, 2011, 09:39:11 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 07:48:11 AM
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, :nelson: 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.
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.
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 10:23:07 AM
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. :blush:
Local politics is boring.
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 10:23:07 AM
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.
Quotethan some GOPtard in Ohio who just goes with the narrative of fellow extremists.
Not so. I looked that up myself.
QuoteDemographics 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.
QuoteIn 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.
Why do voters keep wanting to destroy America?
Quote from: derspiess on September 14, 2011, 11:18:47 AM
Sometimes an outside perspective is healthy.
If it is informed, maybe. I highly suspect that your knowledge of NY 9th Congressional District was pretty limited before Weinergate.
QuoteAnyway, from what I can tell a majority of voters in that district are still Democrat.
I've said it many times, and I'll say it again, because it seems to not stick. In New York, voter registration matters little. Democrats have a crushing majority in the whole city when it comes to registration, and yet NYC didn't have a Democratic mayor for almost the last 20 years.
Quote
QuoteIn 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.
In this rare case, you are right. I do think that Republican agenda these days is highly destructive to the country and its economy, much more so now than at any point in the last 80 years, and therefore I do have to look at a bright side every time insane people rack up victories.
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 10:23:07 AM
Quote from: derspiess on September 14, 2011, 09:39:11 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 14, 2011, 07:48:11 AM
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.
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.
So the dreaded "mainstream media" is a bunch of Goptard fanboys who live in Ohio. 'Cause I'll admit that I don't know jackshit about that district beyond what I've seen in the news, and they say that it has a 3:1 Democratic edge in voter registration. And no, it's not Fox News, either.
EDIT: Ok, I was typing when you posted the bit about the edge in registration not being that big a deal. I have to agree with you on that. But the point is, the media is treating this as a big upset.
QuoteDemographics change.
No doubt, but have they changed that much since the 2010 general elections? I find that a bit hard to believe.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 14, 2011, 11:36:28 AM
Why do voters keep wanting to destroy America?
It's fun. You should try it.
Quote from: dps on September 14, 2011, 12:08:15 PM
So the dreaded "mainstream media" is a bunch of Goptard fanboys who live in Ohio.
No, the mainstream media is neutrally stupid, and incapable of understanding nuances. They exist to tell a story, not to make sure the story is accurate.
Quote
QuoteDemographics change.
No doubt, but have they changed that much since the 2010 general elections? I find that a bit hard to believe.
Well, in 2010 general elections, Weiner won 60-40. Considering that he was an incumbent, and that it was a regular election with a regular turnout, that's not an overwhelming margin by Congressional standards.
One more point about voter registration, and how utterly devoid of context media can be sometimes. You hear that in the district, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 3-1. That may be true. What is also true that Democrats outnumber Republicans 6-1 in the whole of NYC. Knowing that second fact kinda helps complete the picture, doesn't it?