With the special election to replace disgraced Anthony Weiner in the 9th Congressional District two weeks away, both campaigns are getting involved in increasingly heated exchanges.
Turner Says 9/11 Volunteers Should Not Qualify for Health Bill
Last week’s battle between Democrat David Weprin and Republican Bob Turner began on Wednesday when Turner told the Daily News’ editorial board that 9/11 volunteers should not receive assistance from the Zadroga Act, which was passed last year.
“I probably couldn’t go home if I didn’t support the Zadrogra bill,” Turner told the Daily News. “I have firemen in my family, but is that bill beyond criticism? No.”
Calling the plan “broad,” Turner said the bill, which would provide more than $4 billion to provide healthcare for 9/11 rescuers and workers and compensates family members who lost loved ones, should only protect police officers, emergency workers and construction workers—not volunteers.
Weprin’s campaign immediately attacked Turner’s stance on the bill.
“I’m absolutely appalled by the fact that anyone would oppose assistance for the brave volunteers who sacrificed their own health—and in, some cases, lives—to help victims and clean up Ground Zero,” Weprin said in a statement. “Mr. Turner’s criticism of the 9/11 Zadroga Health Bill is an embarrassment to New York, and Bob Turner should be ashamed of himself.”
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan and Queens), two of the bill’s authors, also slammed Turner for his remarks.
“Bob Turner’s blatant disregard for the sacrifices made by volunteers in the aftermath of 9/11 is outrageous and offensive. These brave men and women put themselves at risk to help their fellow New Yorkers and the very least we can do is to support them in their efforts to combat the injuries and illnesses sustained during their rescue efforts,” they said in a joint statement.
Weprin’s campaign also enlisted the help of John Feals, a 9/11 volunteer who was injured working alongside emergency personnel at the World Trade Center. Feals recorded a robo-call for the district blasting Turner.
Identifying himself as a volunteer who fought to pass the Zadroga Act, Feals said, “[Turner] should be ashamed of himself. It’s disgraceful. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the attacks, we must all remember the great sacrifices made by New York’s heroes made on that fateful day.”
Turner campaign spokesman Bill O’Reilly said Turner’s comments were being grossly misinterpreted. According to O’Reilly, Turner fully supports the health bill, but was questioning if it had enough protections against fraudulent claims from people who merely claim to have volunteered.
Congressman Pete King (R-Nassau), who endorsed Turner and also helped write the bill, came to his defense as well.
“I helped write the Zadroga bill and I’ve talked to Bob Turner about it at length,” King said in a statement. “He has always supported Zadroga for volunteers, cops and firefighters alike.”
The issue is not likely to disappear for Turner between now and the September 13 election. Weprin has called a press conference for Wednesday night with firefighters and the Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association about the bill.
Turner Keeps Heat on “Career Politician”
One of Turner’s biggest campaign strategies is to paint Weprin as a “career politician” who is part of the reason the country, state and city is in dire financial straits.
Keeping pressure on that front, Turner noted that his opponent still has funds ready for a re-election campaign for the state Assembly, as well as noting that Weprin may still run for city Comptroller in 2013.
“Career politician Weprin thinks he’s going to lose this race or he doesn’t know what he wants to be,” O’Reilly said. “Seeking four public offices in two years may be a New York record; running for three at once, Assembly, Congress and city Comptroller, almost certainly is.”
The past races O’Reilly mentions are Weprin’s successful campaign for City Council in 2008, his failed attempt at city Comptroller in 2009, his successful campaign for state Assembly in 2010 and his current run at Congress.
The state Republican party is also getting in the act, linking Weprin with what they claim are President Barack Obama’s failed economic policies. In a mailer to voters, Republicans claim “Obama wants to push us off a cliff,” and Weprin will harm the middle class.
Irene Floods City, Fuels Political Bickering
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, Turner said that a federal damage assessment must be done in the area to determine if the district is eligible for monetary compensation.
“This district will be without congressional representation for another two weeks, and an independent assessment of the damage it suffered is warranted so that it can receive federal funding if appropriate,” Turner said.
However, Weprin’s campaign pounced on the statement, calling Turner a hypocrite. Weprin unearthed a video from a Juniper Park Civic Association debate in September 2010, where when asked about receiving federal funds for tornado relief, Turner said the federal government should stay out of these issues.
“Despite the fact that Bob Turner is calling for federal disaster assistance, the voters can’t trust him to follow through to make this much-needed help a reality. Just last year he said this funding shouldn’t exist,” Weprin said.
Weprin also noted that Turner’s budget proposal—he vows to cut the federal budet by at least a third—could not support federal disaster assistance and keep money for essential programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Weprin Has Own Daily News Mishap
Turner wasn’t the only candidate criticized for statements to the Daily News editorial board.
On Sunday, the paper published an exchange where Weprin, with a “deer in the headlights” look claimed the $14 trillion federal deficit was just $4 trillion. Turner quickly mocked his opponent’s financial pedigree—Weprin has continuously touted his success as the City Council’s Chairman of the Finance Committee.
“The $14 trillion federal debt, and its drag on the U.S. economy, is the most significant issue in America today, and Mr. Weprin is totally unaware of it,” Turner said. “It is unfathomable that someone who claims to have government finance experience is so uniformed about a crisis of this magnitude.”
Weprin’s campaign shot back with a statement of its own. “Obviously David knows that the national debt is $14 trillion,” campaign spokesperson Elizabeth Kerr said in a statement, according to PolitickerNY. “David’s slip of the tongue is not going to harm Brooklyn and Queens working class families and seniors like Bob Turner’s plan to end Medicare and Social Security as we know it. Nor will it take away health care for our brave volunteer first responders, which is what Bob Turner wants to do.”
Weprin Snubs Juniper Park Civic Association
Also on Monday, Weprin cancelled plans for a debate planned by the Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA) and the Times Newsweekly.
Citing “logistic” issues caused by Tropical Storm Irene and duties in the Assembly related to the storm cleanup, Weprin cancelled just hours before the debate. Turner had a field day with the news, and even offered to driver Weprin to the debate.
“Career politician David Weprin is hiding,” O’Reilly said. “After demonstrating a stunning lack of knowledge about the size of the federal debt—he was off by $10 trillion last time he was asked—maybe he’s home studying up.”
“His handlers must not want him to talk about the debt again,” O’Reilly continued.
The attacks didn’t stop there.
Later in the day, Turner sent a campaign volunteer to drive from Weprin’s campaign office in Austin Street to Bel Mondo Restaurant in Middle Village, the debate’s planned location.
“Our intrepid volunteer braved sunny skies and clear roadways this afternoon to chart the course between Mr. Weprin’s headquarters in Forest Hills and the site of tonight’s debate in Middle Village,” O’Reilly said. “What he discovered is that, indeed, the 22-minute trip can be made, if one is willing to brave two turns and several traffic lights.”
Maureen Walthers, publisher of The Times Newsweekly, was more direct in her criticisms. “He is a coward. He obviously did not want to do the debate,” she said to the New York Times.
The other co-sponsor, JPCA President Bob Holden was similarly displeased. He told several reporters that Weprin had been trying to find a way to dodge the debate, which was planned since July, for some time. He also noted that while his civic association and the Middle Village area might be construed as more conservative, he is a Democrat and was legitimately interested in hearing Weprin’s views.
“The neighborhoods of Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale and Ridgewood are being told by Weprin, ‘get lost, I owe you nothing but a smile and a handshake for the cameras,’” Holden said.
Both Walthers and Holden have said they would no longer vote for Weprin after his refusal to attend the debate.
Weprin currently leads Turner by six points, according to the latest polls.
By Eric Yun
