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GOP Wins Weiner's Seat

Bob Turner wins NYC seat in major upset

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2011 12:09 AM CDT | Updated Sep 14, 2011 4:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – The special election to replace Rep. Anthony Weiner was widely seen as a referendum on President Obama's economic policy—and the resounding answer was: "No." Republican political novice Bob Turner soundly defeated Democratic state Assemblyman David Weprin, AP reports. It's the first time a Republican has won New York City's heavily Democratic 9th congressional district, which spans parts of Queens and Brooklyn.

Republican Mark Amodei also swept past Democrat Kate Marshall yesterday in Nevada's special election to choose a representative. But that was no surprise in the heavily Republican district. Democratic spin doctors are blaming the Turner result—which followed a sometimes nasty race—on a poor candidate, a quirky district, and an electorate who made Israel a major issue. "If they'd let Anthony Weiner "—hounded from office for tweeting lewd photos of himself—"go to rehab and then reapportioned the district out of existence, they'd have saved everybody a million dollars," a Democratic media consultant tells the Atlantic.

Democratic congressional candidate David Weprin failed in his quest to replace former Rep. Anthony Weiner.
Democratic congressional candidate David Weprin failed in his quest to replace former Rep. Anthony Weiner.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Bob Turner, center, joined by his wife, Peggy, and family smiles as he delivers his victory speech during an election night party in New York.
Bob Turner, center, joined by his wife, Peggy, and family smiles as he delivers his victory speech during an election night party in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 87 comments
Watching4theMODS
Sep 14, 2011 11:02 AM CDT
The author of this article is no journalist, Rob Quinn should just go to work for Fox.
brutaltruth
Sep 14, 2011 9:38 AM CDT
Lest we forget the importance of running a good campaign, Kathy Hochul won in a Republican-held district back in March (http://www.newser.com/story/119365/democrat-kathy-hochul-wins-new-yorks-26th-district-special-election.html).  This can happen both ways. So what was the difference here?  In brief, it's due to Israel and President Obama.  BHO has thumbed his nose at our strategic ally once too often. And the citizens of New York chimed in. When the district that had Geraldine Ferraro, Chuck Shumer and Anthony Weiner goes to the right, the Democratic party is in serious jeopardy.  Let the Left discount this all they want (see below), but this is the kind of event that shakes the "progressives" to their core. About time.
JackNelsonSteward
Sep 14, 2011 9:34 AM CDT
Dear Democrats,      Your shit's up for grabs.  If you want to stay at work after next year it's time to stop acting like the 3 Stooges at a Chinese buffet and look over across the aisle and see the utter resolve and lockstep organization that is the Republican opposition.      It's all very well to bicker among yourselves about minor political differences and when you look across the nation at the places where the Republicans have taken power it is clear, regardless of what they say in campaigns, that they have NO interest in "jobs" OR "small government."  It is clear that they bring a social agenda to their offices that starts with attacking labor rights and women's choice and continues down through limiting voting and siezing control of municipalities over the wishes of the local population and continuing to pass tax deferments to companies already making record profits.      If that's what you want to allow, keep nattering among yourselves about your minor political differences.  You will be the doormat crossed on the Republicans' way trying to establish a theocratic plutocracy where the United States once lived.      We shall see.     

 
House of Representatives • Anthony Weiner • special election • David Weprin • Bob Turner

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