New York Democrats have their work cut out for them in a special election today to fill former Representative Anthony Weiner’s seat. Wiener resigned in the midst of a protracted scandal after pressure from a host of top Democrats made him see the writing on the wall.
Most all of the Democrat establishment is backing David Weprin, with the exception of the renegade and outspoken former Mayor of New York, Ed Koch.
“If those people there, who normally vote 100 percent Democrat, vote for the Republican…that’s a message,” says Koch, alluding to the White House.
Shortly after Wiener’s resignation, opinion was widespread that the New York 9th District seat was safely in Democrats hands.
But Republican businessman Bob Turner, who has never held public office, holds a 6 point lead over Democrat David Weprin, a Democratic assemblyman.
That’s an astounding feat in itself, but Democrats could manage to edge Turner out by virtue of long established organization politics. The reason for Weprin’s low numbers in the polls is widespread angst at the state of the economy and discontent with President Obama’s handling of it.
Turner is optimistic about his chances and makes no bones about running against the president’s economic policies.
“If this district, which is as blue as it gets…turns red, it can’t be ignored in every corner of Washington, D.C.,” he told reporters.
Turner’s opponent admits “Washington’s not perfect” and says he wants to “bring people together.”
Of the top Democrats who have tried to buttress Weprin’s campaign, New York Senator Chuck Schumer is perhaps the most influential, and has been frequently beside Weprin at political rallies.
Weprin has another disadvantage in that he doesn’t live in the district, and doesn’t therefore have the personal and emotional connection to it that Anthony Weiner did.
The contest is being closely watched by the White House as a gauge of the president’s popularity in a New York district that hasn’t elected a Republican since 1923. For Democrats, the result will be all about organization, something at which New York Democrats excel.
In New York’s 9th District, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one. A Republican victory in the heart of New York’s Democratic 9th district could be a bad sign for President Obama’s prospects in 2012.