Norman Goldman's take on NY-9

[gateley]

Norman is originally from New York, and although he hasn't lived there for quite some time, believes he has a feel for that district and an explanation for the race. Rather than being a portent of the 2012 election and of the future of Dems in general, he said that, although this has been a Democratic stronghold since 1922(!), the Orthodox Jewish community doesn't feel as though Obama is pro-Israel enough was whipped into a further frenzy due to the, as always, organized and well-funded fear tactics by the Republicans who of course, presented themselves, as the most pro-Israel group of good guys on the planet. Their opinions/fears about Obama were validated by the Republican Machine.

I'd heard that it was a very low turnout, as special elections often are.

So although this could be a statement about Obama by this community, it's not necessarily an indication of how the country at large will vote in 2012.

He also reminded us, as has been mentioned here, that Democrat Kathy Hochul won a special election elsewhere in New York in May that has historically been a Republican stronghold, but that's not getting much play. I looked this up and here's the subject line from the CBS News Political Hotsheet page regarding that election:

Special election in N.Y. could be precursor to 2012 fight for control of House
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20065689-503544.html

:7

We just love to predict, don't we?

In summation :), I heard some professor of politics dismissing this recent election as being anything more than another special election, with no real
legs indicating that as NY-9 goes, so goes the nation.

I'm just posting this so maybe those who are worried about this might just have another viewpoint to consider.

[KharmaTrain]

1. There's Been A Campaign Against Obama For Some Time...

Remember the head birfer, Orly Taterz, is a Russian Jew...a group that came to the U.S. in the 80s and 90s when the Soviet Union loosened the immigration laws. Many of these people settled in the established "old" Jewish neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and are a lot more conservative than the older, more liberal Jews...most who are Conservative and Reformed. Many of these Russian Jews are Likudniks and racist (not many blacks in the USSR) and carry a lot of their prejudices and other vices (Russian Mafia) to this country.

Norm has a pretty good handle on this as I've also seen a lot of anger and racism among some of my fellow Jews over the past couple years. They have swallowed the Likudnik/Netenyahu spin that Obama is anti-Israel cause they don't like him. While there's been little change in U.S. policy that doesn't matter...Netenyahu knows that a rushpublican in the White House means unlimited money and weapons along with the U.S. military playing Israeli proxy in the region.

[gateley]

3. OMG - I haven't heard her name in ages!

Interesting and informative insight -- thank you so much! Makes sense to me!

And Netenyahu! I remember seeing him years ago and being so impressed (undoubtedly because he seemed so "American" or something :eyes:). Then, wasn't he ousted and now he's back again? Are the people of Israel happy with him?

I wasn't paying attention back in those days and don't get too involved now because I honestly don't think I'm qualified or have the right, if that makes sense.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Israel's System Is Different Than Ours...

They use the parliamentary system similar to the British and its evolved into two major parties (Labor and Likud...similar to our Democrats and rushpublicans) but neither party has been able to muster a majority in the legislature to control the government outright so they've had to form coalitions with smaller, fringe parties. Many of these fringe groups are orthodox and ultra orthodox...who strongly favor the concept of Israel including the West bank and Jordan being the "Palestinian state". The fact Obama has said he favors a two state solution (which the previous regime did as well) has been blown into the talking point that Obama...the "muslim" actually wants to recognize a Palestinian state and this surely means he's anti-Israel. That's why Ed Koch (who IMO is a rushpublican) was out campaigning against Werpin and Obama.

Most Israelis I've had contact with are a mixed bag...in favor of some kind of peace but also very suspicious of any agreement with the Palestinians...especially Hamas. They've seen past promises turn to ashes and little trust in any of those leaders to bring a genuine and lasting peace. Thus the extremes get all the attention.

Cheers...

[gateley]

7. Again, very interesting and informative -- thanks! nt

[CTyankee]

2. I suspected that the Orthodox community was the real issue here.

My stepdaughter returned from Israel a year ago after studying there to be a Reform rabbi. She said it was very hard for a woman, esp. one like herself, to live there. She is a lifelong Dem, as is her entire family. For the Orthodox, she said, they liked Bush because he let them do what they wanted and they are angry at Obama for his not being so tolerant of Israel's policies.

I can truly see how this could spill over into this particular Special Election...

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. The Repubs (and media spinmeisters) are quick to seize on any Democratic defeat

as being a portent to the doom of the Democratic Party. It's pretty hard IMHO to nationalize races that are, at their core, essentially local.

[gateley]

5. Boy, you just nailed it so succinctly! Well done! nt