New York election dismissed by Hill Dems as 'bizarre' local race

Capitol Hill Democrats tried out their own spin on the party’s stunning loss in Tuesday’s special election in New York, dismissing the race nothing more than local, “bizarre” politics.
Some concede that frustration with President Barack Obama may have snatched away some votes. But several congressional Democrats on Wednesday said other factors in the race – including a former Democratic mayor’s endorsement of the Republican candidate, as well as issue of Israel – made this much more of a New York phenomenon than a national referendum.

“The New York election was bizarre, just totally bizarre,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). “It was about Israel, it was about gay marriage, it was about all sorts of local issues. It was not a referendum on anything outside of that district.”

Republican Bob Turner defeated Democratic David Weprin on Tuesday in the seat vacated by former Rep. Anthony Weiner earlier this year. Turner and other Republicans made a strong push for votes in the heavily Jewish district by focusing on Israel and Weprin’s vote for same-sex marriage in the New York State Assembly.
“I think that Obama administration was attacked on its perceived policies with respect to Israel,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.). “We are talking about a heavily Jewish constituency up there; that may have frightened them into voting against their political interests.”

Johnson also blamed Weiner, who left the Queens- and Brooklyn-area seat vacant after resigning in disgrace following a Twitter-fueled lewd photo scandal. Johnson noted “discomfort” and “disappointment” with Weiner’s conduct that may have turned off voters from the Democratic candidate.
Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), who co-chairs the politically moderate Blue Dog Coalition, said it wasn’t “too big a shock” that Democrats lost the New York seat – a district that Democrats have held since the 1920s and where they enjoy a 3-1 registration advantage.
“I’m sure the Republicans [would say] that this is another example of a bad year for the president, bad year for Democrats,” said Ross, who is retiring at the end of this term. “I would disagree.”
A fellow Blue Dog, Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), agreed.
“We all went through difficult races last time, and all of us came out substantially ahead [at the] end of last year’s election cycle,” noted Shuler, whose district went for John McCain in 2008 and who faced a tough reelection bid in 2010. “So it really comes down to each candidate.”
Two Senate Democrats up for re-election also downplayed the broader impact of the New York race.
“I think that was more had to do with the orthodox Jewish community - that’s what it sounded like to me,” said Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, though he said the public is “mad” at both parties.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan said special elections only provide a “snapshot” of where the electorate is at, and much can change in a year-and-a-half.
“I don’t think any of the elections have broad implications,” she said. “We’ve got to get the word out on who’s fighting for middle class families, for seniors, and who’s really committed to creating jobs.”