HOWARD BEACH, N.Y. - Republican Bob Turner rallied about 100 volunteers at his campaign headquarters this morning along Crossbay Boulevard, telling those gathered that their message and field organization could combat the spending barrage of the Democrats.
"I don't think they've been paying attention and knowing what you guys have been doing. We got this far with our volunteers from independents, Democrats and Republicans who know things aren't right and the people can fix it," Turner told the crowd outside his office. "We'll get 'em out in numbers that are gonna knock their socks off, and we're gonna win."
"I don't think they've been paying attention and knowing what you guys have been doing. We got this far with our volunteers from independents, Democrats and Republicans who know things aren't right and the people can fix it," Turner told the crowd outside his office. "We'll get 'em out in numbers that are gonna knock their socks off, and we're gonna win."
Inside his campaign headquarters, newspaper articles on the wall told the story of his unlikely surge against Democrat David Weprin in this Outer Borough district represented for decades by Democrats, including national figures like Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the late Geraldine Ferraro. Stories of Turner's endorsement from former New York City Democratic Mayor Ed Koch are nearly everywhere, and as you come in the door, there's a large poster of Koch shaking his finger, with the phrase: "David Weprin, stop scaring seniors."
Campaign literature from the campaign also points to the Koch endorsement heavily, which was a turning point for Turner, a Roman Catholic, within Orthodox Jewish community. Before the kick-off at his headquarters, Turner had been the guest at a local synagogue. And nearly every available brochure also ties Weprin to President Obama, whose disapproval ratings in the heavily-Democratic district have been climbing.
"Bob Turner is a businessman, he's not a career politician," one volunteer says while phonebanking, and goes on to highlight the endorsements from Koch and also former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who cut a robocall for Turner on Friday.
"I think it will send a shockwave if Bob wins," said Republican Jane Deacy, a retired NYC police officer and teacher who's the nominee in a special Assembly election also on Tuesday that covers about a third of the district. Deacy, who leads the GOP in the 9th District, also introduced Turner at the rally.
One reason she believes Democrats overlooked this race early was because the 9th District is likely to be drawn out in reapportionment, but Deacy says if she's in Albany, that won't happen. In fact, that may be playing a role in fueling voter disenchantment with Democrats.
"It's not going to be eliminated if I have something to say about it," said Deacy.
Volunteers came from both inside and near the district to help with the campaign's final stretch.
Elio Forcina lives just outside the district in Whitestone, and ran for the state Assembly before as a Democrat, but now he's volunteering to help Turner pull off the upset in the district where he grew up in Glendale.
"I don't like the way the party's been going," said Forcina. "A message has to be sent, and this is the way to do it."
Brendan Ogle from Middle Village was here after attending a "Business Owners Opposing Obama-care" breakfast earlier that morning - and even wore a t-shirt from the event, spelled out "BOOO," with the signature O's that were Obama's campaign logo.
Pat McHugh of Rockaway, a Republican, said he saw the chance for his longtime district to finally flip, and that was why he attended with his six-year old daughter, Emily.
"My whole life, the country's been going in the wrong direction," said McHugh. "Now, this area isn't as hard core Democrat. It's a working class district."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/09/turner-supporters-hoping-to-send-obama-a-message-10
Campaign literature from the campaign also points to the Koch endorsement heavily, which was a turning point for Turner, a Roman Catholic, within Orthodox Jewish community. Before the kick-off at his headquarters, Turner had been the guest at a local synagogue. And nearly every available brochure also ties Weprin to President Obama, whose disapproval ratings in the heavily-Democratic district have been climbing.
"Bob Turner is a businessman, he's not a career politician," one volunteer says while phonebanking, and goes on to highlight the endorsements from Koch and also former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who cut a robocall for Turner on Friday.
"I think it will send a shockwave if Bob wins," said Republican Jane Deacy, a retired NYC police officer and teacher who's the nominee in a special Assembly election also on Tuesday that covers about a third of the district. Deacy, who leads the GOP in the 9th District, also introduced Turner at the rally.
One reason she believes Democrats overlooked this race early was because the 9th District is likely to be drawn out in reapportionment, but Deacy says if she's in Albany, that won't happen. In fact, that may be playing a role in fueling voter disenchantment with Democrats.
"It's not going to be eliminated if I have something to say about it," said Deacy.
Volunteers came from both inside and near the district to help with the campaign's final stretch.
Elio Forcina lives just outside the district in Whitestone, and ran for the state Assembly before as a Democrat, but now he's volunteering to help Turner pull off the upset in the district where he grew up in Glendale.
"I don't like the way the party's been going," said Forcina. "A message has to be sent, and this is the way to do it."
Brendan Ogle from Middle Village was here after attending a "Business Owners Opposing Obama-care" breakfast earlier that morning - and even wore a t-shirt from the event, spelled out "BOOO," with the signature O's that were Obama's campaign logo.
Pat McHugh of Rockaway, a Republican, said he saw the chance for his longtime district to finally flip, and that was why he attended with his six-year old daughter, Emily.
"My whole life, the country's been going in the wrong direction," said McHugh. "Now, this area isn't as hard core Democrat. It's a working class district."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/09/turner-supporters-hoping-to-send-obama-a-message-10