Assemblyman David Weprin is blaming President Obama for his stunning 54-46 percent loss to former television executive Bob Turner on Tuesday, claiming that he would have won the southern Brooklyn district if the Commander in Chief was doing a better job – yet many say the Democrat sunk his own ship with several campaign missteps, as well as his refusal to shave off his 1970s-style mustache.
“[The election] turned into a referendum of the President and I was an unfortunate consequence,” Weprin (D-Queens) said during a Monday-morning quarterbacking session with this paper on Wednesday. “If this election happened when the president’s poll results were better, I could have turned this around.”
It would have been quite a feat: Weprin lost the Brooklyn side of the bi-borough district – with just 33 percent of borough voters pulling the lever for him – in the fight for disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner’s seat. As the final numbers were tallied, Weprin was trailing by more than 4,000 votes on both sides of the district.
Weprin called Turner to concede the special election and congratulate his opponent on Wednesday morning. The victor acknowledged the President’s role in the election, according to Turner.
“He said ‘The election wasn’t about you or me. It was beyond both of us.’ ” Weprin recalled.
Calls to the Turner campaign were not returned on Wednesday, but during his victory speech, Turner said his win proved that voters have “had it” with the President’s “irresponsible fiscal policies” and his “treatment of Israel.”
“This is an historic race,” Turner told his supporters after claiming victory. “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: Mr. President, we are on the wrong track.”
The Obama-baiting began in late July when former Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat who frequently endorses republicans, announced he was backing Turner as a backhand slap to Obama’s claims that Israel should withdraw to its pre-1967 borders and give some of its land back to the Palestinians.
Koch’s endorsement marked the beginning of the GOP’s push to connect Weprin to Obama at every turn. For the next month and a half, nearly all of Turner’s campaign literature had pictures of Obama.
“American families are worse off now than they were two years ago, thanks to the failed leadership of President Obama and politicians like David Weprin,” one flier read.
The voters apparently believed the hype: more than 60,000 people turned out to vote, a surprising turn in a special election expected to generate low numbers and be decided by party loyalists. There are three Democrats for every Republican in district, so many thought a Weprin victory was assured. Comparatively, just over 110,000 district residents voted in the 2010 election, where Weiner defeated Turner’s first bid for the House of Representatives and several state elections – including the race for governor – were on the ballot.
Weprin staffers say campaign polls show that the President’s shadow loomed over the election, but many Brooklynites say that Weprin was to blame – not Obama.
Chaim Deutsch, president of the Flatbush Shomrim patrol, said Orthodox Jewish voters were outraged that Weprin – an Orthodox Jew himself – voted for same gender marriage earlier this year.
“This race was less about Turner and more about [same gender] marriage,” Deutsch said. “[Weprin] not only voted for [same gender] marriage, but he posed with them and went to the [same gender] pride parade. He went out of his way to show that he supported [same gender] marriage, that’s why Orthodox residents went against him.”
Councilman Lew Fidler (D-Marine Park) said the Assemblyman was facing a “perfect storm” of problems on election night – the largest being that no one in the borough knew him.
“Coming into this election, Weprin had close to zero name recognition in Brooklyn,” said Fidler. “Turner put him on the defensive at day one, so his campaign never established any credibility. They skipped that step.”
Sheepshead Bay Democratic District Leader Michael Gellar said that when Weprin did focus on the issues, he spoke about how the GOP-controlled Congress wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare – subjects that voters quickly tuned out.
“[Weprin] kept carrying on that Turner wanted to get rid of Medicare and Social Security. That would have worked a few months earlier when it was in the news – like it did when [Democrat] Kathy Hocul won a Republican seat upstate,” said Gellar. “But that was a one trick pony you can’t use over and over. People will start to resent you for it.”
Another problem was as clear as the mustache on Weprin’s face – the Assemblyman should have shaved his ‘stache, Gellar said.
“Politicians usually don’t have facial hair, because it looks like your hiding something,” Gellar explained. “Mustaches and beards stop people from seeing the real you.”
{Brooklyn Paper/Matzav.com Newscenter}
This Gellar guy sounds like a complete bafoon…And Weprin misses the point too. When you make such a chillul Hashem as this: , you can’t count on your “fellow” frum brothers and sisters to back you anymore. He left us with no choice! While we don’t like Obama, that’s simply not what this is about. Personally Bob Turner repulses me too, Im just far more repulsed by Weprin because of his support for Toeivah marriages. None of us want you as a representative, DO TESHUVAH!
Here’s the chillul Hashem I was referring too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUA_sETAq4I
He doesn’t realize that if your religion is very important to you personally, then every issue is a “religious” issue
This race was less about Turner and more about [same gender] marriage, Deutsch said. [Weprin] not only voted for [same gender] marriage, but he posed with them and went to the [same gender] pride parade. He went out of his way to show that he supported [same gender] marriage, thats why Orthodox residents went against him.
Exactly! Mr. Weprin – your actions regarding the practice of toeivah and the legalization of same-gender marriage and your remarks regarding intermarriage were NOT those of an Orthodox Jew! They were a Chillul Hashem !
Mr. Gellar, is that what you think of NY’ers – that they can’t think about the relevant issues because of a mustache? If you think that your constituents are so idiotic maybe we shouldn’t vote for you. Politician, take note! If you support causes that your constituents oppose or mind morally abhorrent, you are risking your political future!!
Politicians usually dont have facial hair, because it looks like your hiding something, Gellar explained. Mustaches and beards stop people from seeing the real you.
Lincoln???
Abraham Lincoln had a beard as did many other US officials until the 1930’s all these reasons are non sense the reason he lost was because he aliened himself with obama and defended his vote has anyone seen shelly recently he pushed it thru the assembly then disappeared weprin should have done the same
was it a chillul hashem or not that’s for god to decide weprin was voting as a p[politician and he misread his constituents on all issues
he was a weak canidate
He just doesn’t get it.
Blaming the mustache.
Boy does he need a wake up call.
Face it bro.
You stuck it to us by voting against what we sent you for. And now they stuck it to you. End of story!
Now go dance with your buddies.
it was the color of his shoes
That mustache must go
I don’t believe it was the mustache, but to say Lincoln had a mustache misses the point.
I mean, are top hats in style? The styles of Lincoln are not exactly what they are wearing today.
Anyway, we had daas Torah and didn’t support him when many rabbonim said not to vote for him due to his Toievah marriage support. It is a good lesson to learn that Daas Torah pays off.
The Obama angle has been overplayed. The main reason for his loss was the support of same gender marriage laws. New York has had few scares lately and bizrat hashem people are waking up. Any nation or state that legalizes same gender marriage is cutting their own spiritual throat.
Stand Up For The America and The American People
In this toxic environment, it is amazing that California Democrats have been able to successfully pushback these Tea Party Republicans’ vicious attacks. I LOVE New York, but I can’t believe that New York Democrats allowed a Tea Party Republican define this election in New York.
I respect the residents in NY9 who are honoring their religious beliefs, but I do not understand how anyone, especially a person of faith, can vote or support this ugly, vicious behavior spewing across America.
Nevertheless, Win, Lose, or Draw, it will be this President and the 111th Congress that history will favor during this very critical period in U.S. History. It was this President and the 111th Congress that stopped the bleeding and kept the country from falling off the cliff. It was this President and the 111th Congress who have done everything HUMANLY possible to stabilize the U.S. economy and help the American people during these very difficult time. Yes, the President and Democrats have taken some big political hits, and I disagree with many, many of their decisions; however, everything that they have done has been to HELP the country and the American people; otherwise, the U.S. may have been forced to default or there may have been a government shut down during these very difficult times.
However, it is the Democrats and their supporters who must have the political will to get this message to the American people. It is the Democrats who must Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
CHOICE: Stand Up For The Country and the American People or Provide More Free Rides For Millionaires and Wealthy Investors. I have no problem with anyone making money in America. It is good to make money. We just need to be fair to people on Main Street and the most vulnerable people in America. We must be fair and balanced. A nation cannot attain or maintain propserity with a HALF Broke, HALF Boom society.
Instead of sending a message to President Obama, Democrats and their supporters should have challenged NY9 to protect their DISTRICT; to send a message to the TEA Party, with poverty increasing across the country, we desperately need people in the U.S. Congress who will help the American people get back to WORK, not provide more and more free rides for the millionaires and wealthy investors; and to STOP playing these political games. Not only was this right thing, it was their duty.
Democrats should have asked Turner if elected would he stand by the people in NY9 or would he stand by the Tea Party Republicans. He surely cannot do both.
I cannot believe that any New Yorker or anyone would reward this bad, ugly behavior that is spewing across America. In addition, those who disagree with this ugly behavior are quickly purged from the Republican Party (Rep. Castle, DE; Senator Bennett, UT; Gov Cris, FL). So why should anyone believe that Turner can successfully oppose the Republicans obstructionist’s agenda.
Democrats should have reminded NY9 that in January 2009, we were losing 500,000 jobs a month; that Lehman had gone bankrupt; that the auto industry and other major corporations were on the verge of collapsing. It is true that during the past five months of this year (2011) with House Controlled Republicans, the unemployment rate has been INCREASING; however, from March 2009 to April 2011 with House Controlled Democrats, the unemployment rate was DECREASING. We must stop playing games. We must get people back to work now.
Again, despite having MILLIONS of people still unemployed, it will be the Tea Party Republicans who still say No, No, No to efforts to create jobs and getting the American people back to work just as they have done for the past two years.
Yes, times are tough; but it is this PRESIDENT and DEMOCRATS who have kept the country from falling off the cliff; and it is DEMOCRATS who will keep standing up for the people struggling on Main Street and trying to grow the U.S. economy.
Look at the Jewish appointments made by this President. If anyone can work with the Jewish community, it is President Obama. Instead of strengthening the Jewish influence, not only did the NY 9 Special Election weaken the Jewish representation in congress, if Democrats are unable to BLOCK Republicans attack on Main Street, the residents of District 9 will be the ones who suffer the consequences.
But what I really do not understand how any New Yorker or anyone could support a political party that would push this United States to the BRINK of Default; whose Representatives would prefer to sit on the sidelines and say No, No, No on each and every issue rather than make a serious effort to help this country recover and move forward during these very difficult times; and who are determined to destroy the safety net of the people struggling on Main Street while giving millionaires and wealthy investors more and more free rides. What kind of U.S. Congressman would do anything like this? What kind of person would do anything like this? What happened to the American spirit? Whatever happened to country first?
New York has always been that Beacon Light of Hope for people around the world, how can any New Yorker support such vicious, ugly behavior; how can any New Yorker support any person that could watch the American people suffer, the U.S. economy fall off the cliff, and not even blink an eye?
Regardless of political party, this is America. This is America, the worlds greatest democracy. The world’s largest economy. Many, many people have risked their lives so that this nation shall long endure. It is our duty. It is our responsibility to complete the tasks remaining before us. We must restore civility and brinkmanship so that this nation shall long endure.
This is America. This is America. Sweet Land of Liberty. We can do better. We must do better. How we deal with these critical issues will determine our moral health as individuals, our cultural health as a region, our political health as a nation, and our prestige as leaders of the free world.
Peace Be With You And Across America
##
Stand Up For The America and The American People
In this toxic environment, it is amazing that California Democrats have been able to successfully pushback these Tea Party Republicans’ vicious attacks, and that Senator Reid also successfully defeated an aggressive Tea Party candidate. I LOVE New York, but I can’t believe that New York Democrats allowed a Tea Party Republican define this election in New York. Those DEMOCRATS who have aggressively defended their position, who they are and the causes they represent have been SUCCESSFUL.
Nevertheless, Win, Lose, or Draw, it will be this President and the 111th Congress that history will favor during this very critical period in U.S. History. It was this President and the 111th Congress that stopped the bleeding and kept the country from falling off the cliff. It was this President and the 111th Congress who have done everything HUMANLY possible to stabilize the U.S. economy and help the American people during these very difficult time. Yes, the President and Democrats have taken some big political hits, and I disagree with many, many of their decisions; however, everything that they have done has been to HELP the country and the American people; otherwise, the U.S. may have been forced to default or there may have been a government shut down during these very difficult times.
However, it is the Democrats and their supporters who must have the political will to get this message to the American people. It is the Democrats who must Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
CHOICE: Stand Up For The Country and the American People or Provide More Free Rides For Millionaires and Wealthy Investors. I have no problem with anyone making money in America. It is good to make money. We just need to be fair to people on Main Street and the most vulnerable people in America. We must be fair and balanced. A nation cannot attain or maintain propserity with a HALF Broke, HALF Boom society.
Instead of sending a message to President Obama, Democrats and their supporters should have challenged NY9 to protect their DISTRICT; to send a message to the TEA Party, with poverty increasing across the country, we desperately need people in the U.S. Congress who will help the American people get back to WORK, not provide more and more free rides for the millionaires and wealthy investors; and to STOP playing these political games. Not only was this right thing, it was their duty.
Democrats should have asked Turner if elected would he stand by the people in NY9 or would he stand by the Tea Party Republicans. He surely cannot do both.
I cannot believe that any New Yorker or anyone would reward this bad, ugly behavior that is spewing across America. In addition, those who disagree with this ugly behavior are quickly purged from the Republican Party (Rep. Castle, DE; Senator Bennett, UT; Gov Cris, FL). So why should anyone believe that Turner can successfully oppose the Republicans obstructionist’s agenda
Democrats should have reminded NY9 that in January 2009, we were losing 500,000 jobs a month; that Lehman had gone bankrupt; that the auto industry and other major corporations were on the verge of collapsing. It is true that during the past five months of this year (2011) with House Controlled Republicans, the unemployment rate has been INCREASING; however, from March 2009 to April 2011 with House Controlled Democrats, the unemployment rate was DECREASING
Again, despite having MILLIONS of people still unemployed, it will be the Republicans who still say No, No, No to efforts to create jobs and getting the American people back to work just as they have done for the past two years. Democrats must get this message to the American people.
Yes, times are tough; but it is this PRESIDENT and DEMOCRATS who have kept the country from falling off the cliff; and it is DEMOCRATS who will keep standing up for the people struggling on Main Street and trying to grow the U.S. economy. But, it is the Democrats and their supporters who must get this message to the American people.
Look at the Jewish appointments made by this President. If anyone can work with the Jewish community, it is President Obama. But, it was the Democrats and their supporters who should have argued this point. Instead of strengthening the Jewish influence, not only did the NY 9 Special Election weaken the Jewish representation in congress, if Democrats are unable to BLOCK Republicans attack on Main Street, the residents of District 9 will be the ones who suffer the consequences. Democrats, however, must get this message to the American people.
But what I really do not understand how any New Yorker or anyone could support a political party that would push this United States to the BRINK of Default; whose Representatives would prefer to sit on the sidelines and say No, No, No on each and every issue rather than make a serious effort to help this country recover and move forward during these very difficult times; and who are determined to destroy the safety net of the people struggling on Main Street while giving millionaires and wealthy investors more and more free rides. What kind of U.S. Congressman would do anything like this? What kind of person would do anything like this? What happened to the American spirit? Whatever happened to country first?
New York has always been that Beacon Light of Hope for people around the world, how can any New Yorker support such vicious, ugly behavior; how can any New Yorker support any person that could watch the American people suffer, the U.S. economy fall off the cliff, and not even blink an eye?
Regardless of political party, this is America. This is America, the worlds greatest democracy. The world largest economy. Many, many people have risked their lives so that this nation shall long endure. It is our duty. It is our responsibility to complete the tasks remaining before us. We must restore civility and brinkmanship so that this nation shall long endure.
This is America. This is America. Sweet Land of Liberty. How we deal with these critical issues will determine our moral health as individuals, our cultural health as a region, our political health as a nation, and our prestige as leaders of the free world.
Peace Be With You And Across America