Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
I took such delight in this article in The Brooklyn Paper, which reveals a host of rationales disillusioned Democrats are using to explain Weprin's thrashing in Tuesday's special election in NY-9.
First, from Weprin himself: It's all Obama's fault.
“[The election] turned into a referendum of the President and I was an unfortunate consequence,” Weprin (D–Queens) said during a Monday-morning quarterbacking session with this paper on Wednesday. “If this election happened when the president’s poll results were better, I could have turned this around.”
Next, from Brooklyn's Orthodox Jews: Gay marriage is to blame.
Chaim Deutsch, president of the Flatbush Shomrim patrol, said Orthodox Jewish voters were outraged that Weprin — an Orthodox Jew himself — voted for gay marriage earlier this year.
“This race was less about Turner and more about gay marriage,” Deutsch said. “[Weprin] not only voted for gay marriage, but he posed with them and went to the gay pride parade. He went out of his way to show that he supported gay marriage, that’s why Orthodox residents went against him.”
Followed by Councilman Lew Fidler (D-Marine Park): You can't win a race when no one knows your name.
“Coming into this election, Weprin had close to zero name recognition in Brooklyn,” said Fidler. “Turner put him on the defensive at day one, so his campaign never established any credibility. They skipped that step.”
Finally, my personal favorite from Sheepshead Bay Democratic District Leader Michael Gellar: Next time, ditch the 'stache.
The Assemblyman should have shaved his ’stache, Gellar said.
“Politicians usually don’t have facial hair, because it looks like you’re hiding something,” Gellar explained. “Mustaches and beards stop people from seeing the real you.”
Excuses, excuses. As lovers of cheesy puns say, denial is not just a river in Egypt.
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Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
The 'stache also has the unfortunate property of being dark in the center and light on the ends.
May '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
Nah! It was because of his lousy comb-over.
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
So maybe what Dem. Michael Gellar was really saying was that the 'stache subconsciously reminded Jewish voters of a figure they're not so fond of? What a fascinating, and yet improbable, hypothesis.
Mar '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
That is what I was thinking, coupled with the part of his hair more on the side of his head than the top makes him appear similar to a certain German politician from the 20th century.
Dec '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
That's no combover, that's a rug!
It's perfectly acceptable for orthodox jewish women to wear wigs, but almost always laughable when any man does so.
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
The Dems had better hope that it was not because of BHO.
Jan '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
I ran out of gas! I had a flat tire! I didn't have enough money for cab fare! My tux didn't come back from the cleaners! An old friend came in from out of town! Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts! It wasn't my fault! I swear to God!
Sep '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
CJRun: That's no combover, that's a rug!
It's perfectly acceptable for orthodox jewish women to wear wigs, but almost always laughable when any man does so. · Sep 15 at 3:51pm
Yeah. It's not the mustache. It's about that thing on top of his head that he is trying to pass off as hair?
And I think Obama and Gay Marriage had a lot to do with it as well.
May '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
This is unkind but, he does look like a fugitive from a barbershop quartet.
May '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
I vote for dead rodent on top of his dome as to why he lost the election.
May '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
oops
Edited on Sep 15, 2011 at 5:02pmSep '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
He looks a lot like Thomas Friedman. That probably explains it.
May '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
I think I liked Debbie Wasserman Schultz comment the best...“It’s a very difficult district for Democrats,” http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2011/09/14/debbie-wasserman-schultz-ny-9-is-a-very-difficult-district-for-democrats/
The last time NY-9 had a Republican rep. was 1923. In the last 3 presidential elections it went, 67% for Al Gore
56% for Kerry
55% for Obama
most politicians would love to have districts as difficult as that.
I also find it amusing that the, let`s say stoic, Al Gore out pointed the greatest orator and smartest President in the history of the republic.
Sep '11
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
It's interesting that the paper didn't mention Weprin's support for the Ground Zero Mosque--something Turner emphasized in at least one mailing. That wouldn't just strike a chord with observant Jews--it would resonate strongly in Bensonhurst, which is part of NY-09. That's a neighborhood in Brooklyn with a lot of working class white voters--including a large number of police and firemen, and a large number of Catholic voters.
Obama was certainly an important factor--but it's a very long stretch to say that he was the only factor. (It would also have helped if Weprin actually lived in the district.)
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
Staches rule!
Jun '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
That's no comb-over it's a toupee.
Apologies to CJRun, who beat me to it.
Edited on Sep 15, 2011 at 6:55pmDec '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
That's a fact. Although some Staches represent truth, justice and the American Way, while other Staches are suspicious slackers representing dubious character.
Edited on Sep 15, 2011 at 8:11pmRe: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
Ditto!
Sep '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
I think it was his resemblance to Mr. Rooney in Ferris Bueller's Day Off that did him in.
Oct '10
Re: Did David Weprin Lose NY-9 Because of His 'Stache?
A little Friedman, a little more Inspector Jacque Clouseau.