Sep

A Republican Seachange in NYC

For the past few months, I have taken time out of my life outside work to volunteer for Ryan Brumberg, who is running for Congress in NY’s 14th District. The district boundaries include the Upper East Side, Midtown East, the Lower East Side, and western Queens (including Astoria and Long Island City). At about 30% registered Republican, it is the most favorable district in Manhattan for the GOP. In fact, up until the election of Carolyn Maloney in 1992, the district was solidly Republican.

My experience has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. As an activist conservative Republican who has been living within the confines of this liberal la-la land for several years, I can honestly report that the typically reliable Democrat voters, self-absorbed and characteristically oblivious to anything outside the 5 boroughs and the New York Times, are starting to “get it.” Repeating the mantra “Brumberg for Congress, Brumberg for Congress, Ryan Brumberg for Congress!” at hundreds, if not thousands, of passerbys at busy subway stops and intersections across the upper east side, there’s a feeling among the people that maybe Obama and Pelosi are not quite up to the job of “fixing” the economy.

“I am a Democrat my whole life, but I’m voting for Ryan!” says one adamant woman in her 60′s. “This isn’t my Democratic Party. Congress never mentions the Constitution. They have no check on their power.”

“You’ve already got my vote!” shouts another, raising her fist in the air.

A visually troubled book restorer in his 70s, shoulder length hair in a pony tail wearing a loose fitting t-shirt, walks out the northwest exit at the 86th and Lex stop and comes right up to me and my Brumberg 2010 tote bag. “Obama is like a child… I didn’t like Bush,” he adds immediately, as if it were required, “but he was an adult. This kid [i.e. Obama] is unqualified and inexperienced.” He is indignant. “I wouldn’t have you run IBM” he exclaims, pointing his finger at my chest “because you wouldn’t know where to start! And that’s what it’s like with Obama in the White House.” For 5 minutes he plays variations on that theme before shuffling away.

At a street fair, a few days later, a frenetic middle-aged woman approaches our table. “Is he a Republican?” she asks. Yes, he’s running for Congress in this district. “Oh, I’d help you, I’d help you, but I’m from Long Island! I’m working to replace my own Congressman, Steve Israel!” Steve Israel was my Congressman growing up on Long Island. “I blog and so does my sister. The federal government is out of control. The Supreme Court is out of control. What is happening to my country that I grew up in?” The distraught woman’s plea seems to encapsulate the political undercurrent that has been building for well over a year.

Here’s the other thing: when a New Yorker used to ask, Is s/he a Republican?, it meant they would never even consider the candidate if the answer were Yes. Now, more often than not, they’re thrilled. The message is crystal clear to anybody who has been out speaking with locals: New Yorkers are looking for Republican alternatives.

To be sure, there’s still some hesitation. “The LAST thing we need is less regulation of Wall Street! That’s what got us into this mess,” explains a middle-aged professional who likely did not work on Wall St. He hands me back the flyer, walks a few feet to the bus stop line, and eyes me suspiciously until the M86 pulls up curbside. The youth vote, from 18-30, is still too cool for school. Many scoff at campaign canvassers and bristle by, white ear buds blocking out any chance at political connection. Generation Stewart-Colbert will vote Democrat because of College, if they vote at all. However, about 30% of the males in this demographic are very receptive, probably because of Mr. Brumberg’s age and their own industry affiliation. Thank you, Rick Santelli.

It’s not 2008 anymore, Toto. Middle-aged and elderly voters have seen political farces like Obama/Pelosi/Reid before. Empty promises and lackluster economic results have them rebelling against their Liberal Democrat instincts and they’re ready to roll the dice on Election Day. (Not that Mr. Brumberg is much of a gamble; he has degrees from Columbia University and Stanford Law School, and worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company for the past 3 years.) The majority of youth are too insular to care much either way, but even that is beginning to change as more are added to the unemployment rolls.

Addressing CPAC in 1977, Ronald Reagan looked to boost the confidence of young constituents declaring “We are not a cult, we are members of a majority. Let’s act and talk like it.” From 1981- 1989, the Reagan majority delivered peace and prosperity for Americans of all political stripes with a popularity that hasn’t been matched since.

Mr. Brumberg does act and talk like it. That’s why Democrats should fear losing their stranglehold on NYC. There’s a seachange underway and the Democrats are all washed up.

This post and the contents thereof are the views of only the author identified immediately above and do not necessarily represent the views of the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. (the "NYYRC"), its officers or its members. The NYYRC expressly disclaims responsibility for the contents thereof and by its charter documents may not, and does not, endorse any candidate for any office, except in a general election.