NYT: Obama, Dems try to salvage Jewish vote

Gee - what could have possibly gone wrong? couldn't be anything to do with the Israel-hating Obama trying to give the Palestinians more than even they ask for, is it? It's a pretty high bar for self-hating Jews to turn from their wicked ways for a short spell. Over at drudge:

Weiner's seat was lost in a 3-1 Democratic district that was held by Democrats since before the 1930s. Panic ensued. Shmucky laid an egg in the aftermath, going Helen Thomas: Chuck Schumer: NY-9 is just too darn Jewish for Democrats now

Earlier today, Ed Morrissey pointed out what could have been a record breaking attempt at spinning a loss in New York’s 9th congressional district by DNC chair Debby Wasserman Schultz. It was an heroic effort, I’ll admit, and one for the ages. But never to be outdone, former holder of the 9th district seat and current Empire State Senator Chuck Schumer may have managed to top her.

Why did the Democrats lose this race in a part of town where they hold a 3-1 registration advantage? Well, at least in part, because the district has just become too darned Jewish.

After canceling his own conference call (on getting federal disaster aid for flood-ravaged NY farmers), Sen. Chuck Schumer teamed up with DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz to push back against the GOP spin that Congressman-elect Bob Turner’s upset win in NY-9 spells bad news at the national level for Democrats, and President Obama in particular.

Schumer, who represented NY-9 for 18 years, insisted the district is about 75 percent the same today, geographically speaking, as it was when he was in office, but drastically different when it comes to demographics. There are more Orthodox Jews, he said, and also more immigrants, making the district skew even more conservative than it had been back in his day…

Well that ought to help in the future! 

Wasserman-Schultz, a Florida Jew, also predicted Obama – and the Democrats in general – “have consistently received the Jewish vote and will again” due to the president’s “strong record” on Israel and other issues Jewish voters care about.

Obama's “strong record” on Israel? Even Clinton had this reaction:

Also, via Adam Sharp: Howard Stern Exposes Anti-Semitism at NY Fashion Week.

Howard sent show writers Richard and Sal to NY Fashion week for some man on the street interviews. The result was shocking. Or is it?

UPDATE: Desperate Libtalkers Cover For Obama's Pathetic NY Election Loss 

Dems Lose Weiner Seat In New York

The seat occupied by disgraced sexting Anthony Weiner (NY-9) is was a very solid Democrat seat. But even that district is unhappy with Obama, so much so that they handed the seat into GOP hands. Remember, liberal punidts have been saying smugly since his resignation that the seat is a referendum on Obama's policies knowing in the back of their minds how safely Democratic the district is: Morning Joe: Special Elections are becoming a referendum on Obama and his failed policies.

And so it was (ironically written by one Rachel Weiner, via memeorandum): Republican Bob Turner wins New York special election

Businessman Bob Turner (R) defeated state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) in the special election for the House seat held by former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner (D).

Turner’s victory is regarded as an upset given the Democratic history of the 9th district, which takes in portions of Brooklyn and Queens, as well as the fact that President Obama carried the seat by 11 points in 2008.

“New Yorkers put Washington Democrats on notice that voters are losing confidence in a President whose policies assault job-creators and affront Israel,” said National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) in a statement after Turner’s win.

...Republicans also easily held a seat in Nevada’s GOP-heavy 2nd district, which has never elected a Democrat. State Sen. Mark Amodei (R) beat state Treasurer Kate Marshall (D) in a special election for the House seat left open by Sen. Dean Heller (R), who was appointed to replace Sen. John Ensign (R). Ensign resigned earlier this year over a scandal involving an aide. 

Funny that in the Nevada race they didn't give the margin. Via Instapundit: GOP Candidate Wins By 20 Points In Nevada Race. And get this from the WaPo:

Republicans sought to turn the race into a referendum on President Obama, tying Weprin to the surprisingly unpopular commander-in-chief at every turn.

Obama is surprisingly unpopular? Has his approval rating decreased in the last 2 1/2 years unexpectedly? Good grief. About the NY special election, Legal Insurrection inks to the Tweet of Night:

The Democrats are in panic mode and falling over themselves to downplay the win. Via Instapundit:

MICKEY KAUS: WHAT REALLY TERRIFIES DEMS ABOUT NY-O9.

It’s not that Obama’s ratings are so low that even this historically Democratic district decided to send a message of disapproval. Obama’s ratings may pick up, after all.

It’s not that Israel and gay marriage emerged as medium sized ”wedge issues” (translation: issues) that drove some Democrats in a quirky district heavily populated by Orthodox Jews to vote for Republican Bob Turner. Few other districts look like NY-9. ….

It’s the possibility that the Democrats favorite issue–-Social Security-–didn’t work to save them because Obama, too, has embraced cutting Social Security and Medicare in “some undefined ‘everything on the table’ entitlement reform,” as Weigel puts it. Could it be that the differences between Obama’s Medicare cuts and GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare cuts–differences that seem so significant to policy analysts in Washington (and to me)–don’t have much salience in the crude argumentation of direct-mail electioneering? Now that’s scary for a Dem. After decades of pledging not to touch the two sacred programs, it’s beginning to look as if Democrats can’t just suddenly agree to pull trillions out of Social Security and Medicare and expect voters to maintain their reflexive loyalties.

Yep.

And from another Insty thread:

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ IS TRYING TO SPIN IT, but the Dems’ defeat in NY09 is a big f—in deal, to coin a phrase. And other Democratic officeholders have to be worrying if Obama will be an electoral millstone around their necks next year.

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UPDATE: From the AP: GOP Novice Wins Weiner's Old NY House Seat

 

Dem efforts to hold Weiner seat going limp

Erections do in fact have consequences. Via memeorandum: Poll shocker: GOP up for Anthony Weiner seat. Let's see, the Democrats are fielding a candidate that doesn't live in the district, and refuses to say he will if elected. What could have possibly gone wrong?

Republicans are poised for a dramatic upset in next week’s special election for a New York City congressional seat, according to a new poll out Friday.

The survey, conducted by the Siena Research Institute, found Republican Bob Turner holding a 50 percent to 44 percent lead over Democrat David Weprin.

The poll comes as national Democrats grow increasingly nervous about Weprin’s prospects in the race for a Brooklyn and Queens-area seat that has long favored the party. On Thursday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it was pouring $500,000 on the New York City airwaves for Weprin. The Democratic-boosting House Majority PAC is also running ads in the race’s final days.

“Republican Turner heads into the final days of the campaign with a six-point lead in this heavily Democratic district after having trailed Democrat Weprin by six points just four weeks ago,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.

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UPDATE: Angry Dem Endorses Republican in Race for Weiner’s Seat

"Are they out of their freaking minds?" - Democrat Dov Hikind, State Assemblyman for District 48 (Brooklyn), endorsing Republican Bob Turner for U.S. Congress in New York’s 9th District, moments ago: A Siena poll released earlier today showed Turner with a 6-point lead over Democrat rival David Weprin, and indicated that 32% of the district’s Democrats intend to vote for the Republican.

Great news: Dem running to replace Anthony Weiner thinks $14 trillion national debt is only $4 trillion

No joke:

Daily News: “Right now, how big is the debt?”

Weprin: (Pause) “Trillions.”

News: “But how many?”

Weprin: (Deer in headlights look.) “I got caught up on this once before,” referring to his inability while running unsuccessfully for city controller in 2009 to state that office’s budget.

News: “This is central to what is going on in Washington.”

Weprin: “About 4 trillion.”

News: “Four trillion is the debt?”

Weprin: “Right.”

This Weiner might be better than the one running to replace him

Now I know Democrats are in denial about the debt and the danger it poses to the short, mid and long-term future of this country, but that's taking denial to a whole new level. So who is this guy really? You could have totally guessed it, but the NY Daily News reports this: "Weprin is a career politician who has been shoehorned into offices by party bosses in noncompetitive primaries and special elections through his entire career. He was picked for this race by Democratic kingpins of Brooklyn and Queens - even though he does not live in the district." Quite predictable in fact. And this guy will likely get elected in a heavily Democratic district despite the embarrassing episode above. Ironically, despite what will be I'm sure further embarrassments, he will 'stick it out.'

UPDATE: Study: 8 in 10 lawmakers lack education in economics. And it shows! Also via Carpe Diem: 78% of Congress Lacks An Econ/Business Degree