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Campaign Crawlers
Bachmann-Turner Nostalgia
A trial run that set the stage for Bob Turner’s big win in Chuck Schumer and Anthony Weiner’s 9th district.
Astonishingly to some, the Schumer-Weiner Congressman-for-Life seat in Brooklyn, New York, has been won by a Republican named Turner running on Michele Bachmann’s platform of small government, passionate backing of Israel, and principled opposition to gay marriage. Furthermore, this is the first time ever that being unreservedly pro-Israel provided a cudgel for a non-Jew against a squishy liberal Jew from the crowd that loves Israel like a sister but worships the Democrat Party like an idol.
In a little-noted subtext to this amazing result, Bob Turner’s victory provided vindication for the man who managed the campaign of Robert L. Verga, the Republican candidate for that very seat in 1996. The name of that long-forgotten campaign manager was none other than… Jay D. Homnick.
As regular readers of this column know from articles over the years, I grew up in that district. At the age of sixteen in 1974, I accompanied my father to a meeting of Orthodox Jewish power brokers who were being introduced to Charles Schumer as a candidate for New York State Assembly. I recall vividly the crass horse-trading atmosphere of that event and I have described some of its more repugnant particulars elsewhere.
Suffice it to say that the aesthetic trauma of this experience served as an epiphany about the proper role of Jews in politics and governance which continues in large measure to animate my consciousness to this day.
When Schumer went from the State Assembly to the U.S. Congress (bitterly accused by the late Steven Solarz of corruptly redistricting to guarantee his victory) in the 1980s, I was haunted even more profoundly than I had been earlier. Lucky for me no mental-health professional was on the case as I wrote obsessively about the tragedy of this man representing my family and neighbors in the halls of power. Finally, I voted with my feet, moving out of the neighborhood in 1985, never to return.
By 1996, it was an open secret that Schumer was gearing up to challenge Alfonse D’Amato for his Senate seat in 1998. This was the last chance to blindside him with a local defeat before he took his act statewide. I was living in Cincinnati but I flew in for an interview with Verga to work for the campaign. He hired me to be the actual Campaign Manager.
The listed Manager was Guy Molinari, who was the supreme Republican power broker for Staten Island and Brooklyn (and father of Congresswoman Susan Molinari, who won his seat when he tired of it), but that was titular and not substantive. He had no involvement in either policy or execution.
My strategy for victory was multi-pronged and included a lot of what eventually worked for Turner fifteen years later. First, I argued that the Republicans winning a sizable majority in the House of Representatives in 1994 meant that keeping the seat in Democrat hands would cost the neighborhood much of its clout. I wanted to paint Schumer as one of the holdovers from the repudiated pre-1994 era by linking him with names like Rostenkowski and Wright and Foley.
Mario Cuomo had also lost his governorship by then, so I designed a campaign poster featuring four dinosaurs with politicians’ faces. Three of them were keeled over, looking awfully extinct — the Cuomosaurus, the Rostenkosaurus and the Foleyciraptor. Only the Schumosaurus could be seen clinging to life but fading fast.
Second, I maintained that Schumer’s vocal pro-Israel song-and-dance was vulnerable because when partisan goals posed a conflict, he took the party favors and gave Israel the door prize. The proof was in his vote against the Gulf War in 1991. That was a popular war which had been admired by Jews and non-Jews alike for putting down a tyrant, undoing a naked land grab in Kuwait and protecting Israel.
In that vein, I created a campaign poster headlined: IF CHARLES SCHUMER HAD HIS WAY… The images depicted were of Saddam Hussein standing astride a map of the Middle East like the ultimate conquistador. This concept garnered kudos from several sitting and former Congressmen I consulted.
Third, I targeted the serious Jews and Catholics in the area to hammer home Schumer’s votes for abortion, including the partial-birth variety which Democrats of conscience like Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Richard Gephardt had opposed. His outspoken support for gay rights — although gay marriage had not even proposed yet — would also offend these groups. They key was in convincing them that he could be defeated and that voting against him was not a waste of time.
Fourth, I had the advantage of an Italian candidate in a district with more Italians than Jews. I had a picture of the candidate’s father shown against maps of Italy and the United States connected by an arrow. He spoke of the American dream and how proud he was to see his son running for high office.
Then I had a poster design which showed my candidate taking a pizza out of an oven. On the pizza we did the pie graph of what government outlays should look like. Below that we had Schumer’s face on the man taking out the pizza; that one had a chart which showed what government was actually wasting its money spending. The overt message appealed to the smaller-government instincts; the covert message was that the Italian would do a better job than the non-Italian.
(Why did we not win? Well may you ask, and that is a fascinating story for another day. Stay tuned to this station.)
Much of my strategy survives in Turner’s winning approach. They said back then that it could not be done, but although I was not the man to lead the troops to victory on D-Day, I can still take pride that I stood once on that battlefield and envisioned that this day would come…
About the Author
Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (21) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jay D. Homnick
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http://spectator.org/archives/2011/09/15/bachmann-turner-nostalgia
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Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 9.15.11 @ 8:29AM
The Schumosaurus is a lot like the Loch Ness Monster, an animal that should've gone extinct a long time ago, but somehow, most likely through magic, keeps on truckin'. And the Cuomosaurus that you were referring too, isn't extinct either. Unfortunately for us all of us, recently in the backwoods of the Adirondack Mountains in New York, a hiker came upon a new group of them still alive!! The Cuomosaurus then taxed the hiker to death!!
Now Old Chucky must be reeling from the loss of this seat, you can tell by watching his hairline, everyday, it goes a little bit more north. You see, Chuck handpicked Anthony "The Wiener" Weiner to replace him in the House, and I'm sure he figured that Anthony would replace him in the Senate as well, when Chuck finally decided that America was ready for him to be President. And I really believe he thinks he will be the President one day, but I've got bad news for him though, outside of New York City, nobody can stand this man. His little Empire is fallen apart, and his dream of getting the top job, will always remain just out of his reach. Poor Chucky!!
Oops, there goes another hair!! Poor Chucky!!
mzk1| 9.15.11 @ 8:54AM
Well, Mr. Homnick is indeed from my old neighborhood; I even remember a Homnick in my High School, perhaps a relative. But his statement is half-true. In national races, people would generally vote for whomever appeared more pro-Israel, often the Republican; Reagan and Nixon are cases in point. I do not imagine Obama will get very many votes from ANY Orthosdox community. In any case, in a national sense, the Orthodox community has no loyalty to any particular party; their range of political opinions is as wide as the population as a whole. In a local sense, though, when you have to pay for your kid's governemnt-mandated secular AND religious education, as well as your neighbor's kid in public school, and you aren't particularly wealthy - well you vote for whomever will promise you a few crumbs off of the table.
Clint| 9.15.11 @ 9:25AM
Adam Brickley,
"The Democrats originally thought they were doing themselves a favor by nominating Weprin, himself an Orthodox Jew. There were jitters about the Jewish vote at the start of the race, so in a classic case of blind left-wing ethnocentrism, the Democrats cynically slapped Weprin on the ballot to ensure that they could use his Judaism as a hedge against a potential threat from a non-Jewish Republican candidate. Instead, Weprin’s clumsy attempts to play up his Orthodox identity contributed to the implosion of his campaign. Yes, he talked about his Jewishness and always wore a yarmulke when speaking to Orthodox audiences, but he also voted to legalize gay marriage. In fact, he not only voted for gay marriage, he gave a speech on the floor of the state assembly in which he claimed that his religion supported his vote.
This sent many in the Orthodox community through the roof and compelled Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind (a powerhouse in the Orthodox political scene) to break ranks and back Turner. It’s one thing to vote for gay marriage; it’s quite another to try to use Orthodox Judaism to back it up. "
Occam's Tool| 9.15.11 @ 9:58PM
And, of course, Clint, there was Israel. You would not have won the district yourself, schmuck.
Clint| 9.15.11 @ 11:38PM
Get Bent Screwball Israel Firster Fanatic,Tool Job.
Oldefarte| 9.17.11 @ 11:51AM
Hey Stupid [with a capital 'S'], 'Get Bent' over a book on PUNCTUATION!!!!
martin j smith| 9.15.11 @ 10:06AM
I think Turner had certain things going for him. First off his presentation was not a turn off. Second, Wenei was disgusting and put a black eye on the Socialists. Third, the economy and Obama and fourth Israel and Obama( that would be the Jewish vote ). The main common denominator is Obama. I think it is interesting and the RIGHT and the LEFT Jewish groups had a war over Israel as an issue. What was instructive was this so called "othodox group"claimed that voters shoulkd not use an international issue in our politics here in the US--why you might ask ? Because it "causes anti-semitism". But look who is calling the kettle black so to speak.
Margie| 9.15.11 @ 1:41PM
Wow, Mr. Homnick's quite the handsome guy, isn't he?
Congrats NEW YORK! My birthplace and old stomping ground.
I am thrilled! Keep up the good work, conservatives. This is all the more reason to be hopeful~ all is not lost to the Left!!
MikeN| 9.15.11 @ 1:52PM
If only you had been on Damato's team 2 years later. He should have been able to keep Schumer out of the Senate.
mark| 9.15.11 @ 2:05PM
Oh if you could have beaten him then. A real mamzer
Great Article Jay
canuckistani| 9.15.11 @ 3:49PM
Congrats to Bob Turner. If only we could clone him in every other district.
1) Catholic in a Jewish district, aka white in black district, true conservative in an evangelical district etc. where voters act with their brains and not only their genetic code, refusing to be pandered to.
2) Ran away from the Ryan budget like it was on fire and won, a converse to the NY23 debacle.
3) Speaks bluntly that the jobs program should be looked at and negotiated lest nothing gets done.
4) Deems SS and MC as sacred, no privatization.
He is a classic blue state republican that is needed to get us back onto the rails of building a great nation. No flyover-state rhetoric, no culture warrior BS imbuing this man.
Refreshing.
Occam's Tool| 9.15.11 @ 9:59PM
And, Canuckistani, Pro-Israel. Pro-Israel, Pro-Israel, and Pro-Israel. Unlike you.
canuckistani| 9.16.11 @ 9:49AM
I'll bite.
I am very pro-Israel. I believe the US should be endorsing theocracies built upon dubious mythology. Or perhaps not.....
A true country is not the collection of annexations and irrational disputes that Israel has become.
Watching the professional Israeli youth set up shop in Berlin of all places is all you need to know about the Israel project and its prospects for the future.
It appears the idle orthodox and their enablers are discovering their unnuanced view of the world risks lives and puts no food on the table.
Turkey has always been the cheapest muslim vote money can buy, and now they are openly challenging Israel on every issue. Are you not a least bit curious?
Interestingly, Turkey has been the more reliable US ally in the last century - and quickly pissed away by Junior's asleep-at-the-switch handling of the Kurds. Which begs the question, what the heck are we doing defending Bibi when we should be repairing one of our most strategic relationships with Turkey?
I dare say it won't be solved by anyone in NY9.
Oldefarte| 9.17.11 @ 11:57AM
No, we will all be 'defending Bibi' next November [just as NY9 has just done so] by telling the Muslim Turkeys of the Arab world to quit kissing Iran's backside!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 9.15.11 @ 3:54PM
As indicated from numerous articles concerning this race, it appears that same is sort of THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD, or possibly THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK as regards Obama's waning popularity among Democrats. There is surprisingly increasing discussion of more liberal [huh?] Democrats possibly running against him next year for the Democratic nomination [I predicted long ago that Hillary would do so, and she apparently is at the top of the listing]. Supposedly former NYC mayor Koch was so irritated by Obama's mistreatment of Israel and its PM, that he endorsed the Republican winning candidate. Generally, I'm hoping that finally the dam may have broken for the Jews and their historical support of Democrats and especially liberal ones. Obama has, while talking out of both sides of his provaricating mouth, continually assured Jews of his suport for Israel, while at the same time selling them down the political river in obvious favortism for Arab countries of the ME towards Muslim positions [again, as I predicted pre 11/3/08]. Time will tell, but if this Jewish support is indeed tending substantially towards Republicans [which it should], then not so much their voting numbers, but their substantial political contributions and extended influence through their owned companies employing numerous employees should provided a extreme boost to the Republican Party next year!!!!!!
canuckistani| 9.16.11 @ 9:57AM
Koch's endorsement is proof the Jewish vote is unreliable and Un-American. There is a big difference between a disappointing friend and a deadly enemy. Koch chose incorrectly, if he believes in the Dem position on practical matters - like anything other than Israel.
To endorse a candidate based on his real or perceived views of a nuisance country is sad and disappointing.
Junior's wrecking of the Turkish allegiance has and will do more harm to Israel than any waffling Dem could ever do.
Turkey was the ONLY sane bridge between Tel Aviv and the Arabs. Pay attention and this fact alone is causing Bibi major heartburn that he knows he cannot repair without pissing off the idle orthodoxy. He won't, so deterioration will continue. Bibi could be the greatest threat to Israel in its history, if you think with your brain and not your beytses.
Oldefarte| 9.17.11 @ 12:14PM
You're an obvious MORON, and you're STUPID besides that. Kock also endorsed rightfully Bush over that IMBICILE-IN-CHIEF now occupying [capturing?] the WH; and no doubt his endorsement based upon the Israel issue was simply to drive home the point to the radical Democrats [who are obviously selling not only this country, but Israel as well, down the river for their disguised Muslim partisaned political agenda]. Turkey, a 'bridge', give me a GD break---how do you moronically define a bridge [ie support] when they sponsor a camoflage a supposedly peace flotilla armed with Muslim militants intent upon invading the West Bank with armaments to supply to the Palestineans radicals [who are the minority welfare recipients of Israel]? 'Nuisance country'? What a load of excrement. Israel's economy is not only beneficial financial to the SAND-MONKEY MUSLIM PALESTINEANS[who would starve to death if not for the Israelies and their companies that emply them], but to the world and this country also. Go back to your cesspool and grow a brain, PAULISTA!!!!!!!
Skippy| 9.17.11 @ 4:03PM
Funny, but there's always a reason why Israel and GWB are responsible for all the problems of the world.
Prince Bambo thinks so, as do several of the more insightful AmSpec posters.
So, I guess if we jail GWB and nuke Israel all will be sweetness and light.
Thanks for setting me straight about all that!
shipley130| 9.15.11 @ 5:46PM
Don't Fear The Reaper, Democrats. Just lay down you hammer and sickle, and let America return to greatness.
1blumutt| 9.16.11 @ 12:00AM
Jay D. Homnick, Read your column and the links. Wow! Thank you for the background information. I have sharaed your writing with others who have, finally, been jarred awake. We've just gotta get this great ship of ours turned around. Gratefully yours, a TEA Party terrorist.
POST American| 9.16.11 @ 12:24AM
--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------
--Truly, these Tavistock approved '90's Show'
DIS---tractions are endless.
MEANWHILE, for those interested in 2011
and beyond ---DO CHECK OUT:
OXP Radio interview
'KUBRICK Moon Landing HOAX'
with doc. film-maker Jay Weidener
The interviewer is drippy, but Weidener
is riveting on Kubrick ----and, most relevant,
the FUKISHIMA world nuclear disaster
and DEPOP OP.
Weidener lives on the west coast and
unflinchingly lays out the reality of the
fallout disaster ---and slow kill and sterilization.
Remember too, this interview was made
in JUNE when he thought only a couple
of those GE glawed reactors were leaking.
We now know 5 are in a state of ABSOLUTE
MELTDOWN.
AGAIN, as always, special thanks to our
Rockefellor media ---and to Globalist, TAX FREE
GE and their head ---the man without borders,
---Jeffrey I---Melt---down, for their sterling
sense of truth and decency.