SUBSCRIBE NOW WELCOME BACK. Do you want to continue reading where you left off? New Republic subscribers can pick up where they left off no matter which device they were previously using. SUBSCRIBE NOW

Go Home On Sandy Relief, GOP Is Stiffing Its Own

PLANK JANUARY 2, 2013

On Sandy Relief, GOP Is Stiffing Its Own

BY ALEC MACGILLIS

People in New York and New Jersey are up in arms about House leaders' decision to adjourn late Tuesday night after the big "fiscal cliff" vote without also voting on the $60 billion relief package for Hurricane Sandy. The Daily News' cover headline, under a picture of John Boehner and Eric Cantor, reads: "FISCAL STIFFS: D.C. dolts finally pass stopgap deal, but stick it to Sandy vics by axing aid vote." GOP House leaders are being excoriated not only by Democrats from New York and New Jersey but by House Republicans from the two states. Rep. Michael Grimm, a Staten Island Republican, called it a "betrayal." Rep. Peter King, of Long Island, went furthest, declaring on CNN: “I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to Congressional Republicans is out of their minds. Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.”

What's behind House Republicans' resistance to the package? The official line is that they are worried, as with any other big spending, about its cost. They want it to be offset by other cuts and pared back (the bill had been larded up with non-Sandy items, including relief for other regions for past events). “Sometimes when you ask for too much, you don’t get anything,” Sen. Roy Blount, of Missouri, told CNN. It's not hard to wonder, though, whether stiffing New York and New Jersey has to do with the states' political coloring—both blue, one is governed by a high-profile Democrat and possible presidential aspirant, the other by a Republican whom many in his party blame for helping Barack Obama win reelection, who today in characteristically no-holds-barred fashion declared the House's punting on the vote "disappointing and disgusting to watch." Is holding off on the relief bill payback by a party that has an ever-dwindling hold in the Northeast?

If so, there's a sad irony at play for those in the most affected areas: Republicans are, perhaps more than they realize, stiffing their own voters. The fact is, the parts of New York and New Jersey hit hardest by Sandy tended to be far more Republican-leaning than the states as a whole. Obama won New Jersey by nearly 18 percentage points, but he lost the two big coastal counties, Ocean and Monmouth, with only 41 and 47 percent of the vote, respectively. He won New York City with a whopping 81 percent of the vote. But among the few pockets of the city that Mitt Romney carried were the precincts hit hardest by Sandy, including southern Staten Island and Belle Harbor in the Rockaways.

What are we to make of this? Well, for one thing, that as our political landscape becomes more starkly sorted between red and blue, it is important to keep in mind that the clustering often happens at a more local level than we realize—there are very red islands in blue seas, and vice versa. Also, that gerrymandering can come at a real cost to citizens in need of serious help. The more that seats are carved into reliably Republican or Democratic enclaves and the less that members need to worry about winning reelection, the less incentive there is for party leaders to keep them in fine fettle with their constituents, whether through routine earmarks or through emergency aid after a disaster. In New Jersey, for instance, the 2010 redistricting made the two districts that represent much of coastal New Jersey safer territory for the Republican incumbents: Jon Runyan, who won his formerly swing district by 9 points, and Chris Smith, who won his by 18 points. A House leader looking ahead to 2014 would see little reason to worry about those members' prospects.

One exception to this might be Grimm, whose district encompassing Staten Island and southern Brooklyn is relatively coherently drawn, and is also relatively competitive—he won reelection in November by 6.6 percentage points, against a lackluster challenger. Grimm, as it happens, is also under ongoing federal investigation for possible campaign finance violations. If he is now lashing out at his own party's leaders, it's surely in part because he realizes that they, in stiffing New York, could end up infuriating just enough of his constituents to flip a red district to blue, and thus bring it into harmony with a broader Northeastern region that national Republican leaders see ever less reason to give a damn about.

Follow me on Twitter @AlecMacGillis

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Show all 29 comments

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

29 comments

Wonder what Chris Christie is thinking about now. I'd be very, very angry.

- Sophia

January 2, 2013 at 2:26pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

I really don't see why King is belly-aching so much. Gubmint ain't the solution; it's the problem. Those librul's in Washington have created a culture of dependency - every time a little storm hits, instead of looking to the community, to the church, to God, they turn to the Gubmint and expect Job Creators save their assess. Have they not heard of insurance? Of saving for disaster? Why not borrom the money from their parents? Are there no work houses?

- icarus-r

January 2, 2013 at 2:53pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

You took the words right out of my mouth Icarus. I'd like the same response the next time some red state get slammed, get gubmit off the backs of people for all things. We don't need them meddlin'!

- tmmats

January 2, 2013 at 2:58pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Christie: http://youtu.be/HDdSrEbLlpI

- Neurobass8

January 2, 2013 at 3:31pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

This is good reporting. Considering Mourdock, Akin, the last debt ceiling fight, the current fiscal cliff fight, Romney's campaign completely misjudging the anticipated election results and his statements about 47% and gifts, I see nothing suggesting that Republicans care about voters of any color.

- Nusholtz

January 2, 2013 at 4:18pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

as I watched C-Span last night, with the incredibly anger over Boehner's broken promise to vote on Sandy aid expressed by Hoyer, Lowey, and Grimm, I figure that Boehner realized it was not a good moment to vote to borrow another $60Bil one day after the debt ceiling was technically breached. Will the vote be #1 priority for the new Congress? NY and NJ and CT are taken for granted by both parties for donors. Obama can only visit NY for private fundraisers, so I think the NY dems are probably angrier in private than Peter King and Chris Christie are in public.

- K2K

January 2, 2013 at 5:32pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

I wouldn't call these seats in NJ as safe as all that especially in light of Sandy. Unless you were here you have no idea just how devastating it was. I think the next Congress will come around if only because Wall Street will demand it, Republicans know where outside money comes from and it ain't Wichita, but if for some bizarre reason Republicans stiff the Northeast these guys are going to be in for rough times.

- blackton

January 2, 2013 at 5:39pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Boner just relented: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57561692/amid-backlash-boehner-relents-on-sandy-vote/ Wonder if he will be Speaker in a few weeks.

- tmmats

January 2, 2013 at 5:42pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

K2K: "Obama can only visit NY for private fundraisers" Hm. That would be the same NY that elected Obama two months ago with 63% of the vote?

- ironyroad

January 2, 2013 at 5:47pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

K2K: "Obama can only visit NY for private fundraisers" I seem to recall that Obama visited NY and NJ right after that Hurricane Sandy thing that people were so worked up about. And he was in Newtown, CT for some event or other last month ... can't quite recall what it was about. You are such an incredible douche, it's surprising I don't see you in the feminine products aisle of every Duane Reade and CVS in the Tri-State Area.

- wildboy

January 2, 2013 at 6:01pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Incidentally, Peter King voted against hurricane relief for Sandy and demanded cuts to pay for Irene. :) "so I think the NY dems are probably angrier in private than Peter King and Chris Christie are in public." Oh, naturally. Boehner delays a vote on Sandy because the Senate porked the Bill, and NY dems are angrier in private (presumably against Obama? Not clear) than King and Christie? I mean, Republicans are blaming Boehner publicly, but you think Democrats think Obama is at fault for this? It's a wonder you did not blame Pelosi ;) ... Happy New Year - always amusing to read your, er, musings.

- icarus-r

January 2, 2013 at 6:01pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

"I seem to recall that Obama visited NY and NJ right after that Hurricane Sandy thing that people were so worked up about." Oh, come on Wildboy - everyone knows it was a political stunt, like when he came out for gay marriage, or when Mr. McCain Went to Washington. And taking calls from Christie at midnight? Pure politics. In the world according to K2K, only Guvner Perry has motives pure as driven snow.

- icarus-r

January 2, 2013 at 6:04pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

wildboy - the feminine products section would not have him, thank you. Angier in private? Obama can only attend fundraisers in New York? This is beneath the douche section - maybe the used cat litter section of the trash cans in the alley, but then I'd feel sorry for the cats. People - 45,000 kids have no schools to attend in the tri-state area RIGHT NOW, as you're sitting at your computer. Who cares what Chris Christie is doing? Or Obama? Or the cancer sores that make up the modern Republican party? Nancy Pelosi? If you suddenly care about fraud in Hurricane relief bills, please refer to the 120 billion bill authorized by the Republicans after Katrina and we'll have a nice comparison party some day. But in the meantime, get your effing priorities straight.

- WandreyCer

January 2, 2013 at 6:56pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Wildboy to K@K: "You are such an incredible douche" You forgot liar K@K promised to stop posting here in Dec. He also said that he was very, very, sick and would die in a few months. The only think K@K can be trusted is to keep on lying.

- arnon1

January 2, 2013 at 7:19pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

This presents an opportunity for Obama to split the Republican opposition over the debt ceiling. For one thing, Representative King stated: "As far as I am concerned I’m on my own. They’re going to go a long way to get my vote on anything." For another, North Eastern / Wall Street Republicans will be very unhappy if the the US defaults on its debt, for two reasons: First, it will be bad for the economy in general and the stock market in particular. Second, much of the debt is owed to the investor class in America. So if the US defaults on its debt, it's not just screwing the Chinese, it's also screwing American bond holders / Wall Street Republicans.

- NateG

January 2, 2013 at 8:48pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/23/obamas-fire-sale.html "Obama's Fire Sale" Gail Sheehy Sep 23, 2010 3:28 AM EDT "Six weeks before the election, President Obama couldn’t fill the ballroom at the Roosevelt Hotel, despite cheap tickets on offer. And then he was met by hecklers. ... “Do we need to line up early to get in?” “That’s not necessary. Everybody will get in.” And everybody did—450 people in a room that holds 650. Even Obama’s fire sale didn’t sell out. ..." And, since then, Obama has never appeared at a public campaign event for any Dem, or another open fundraiser, in New York City. Unlike Gail Sheehy, I ignored all four emails asking for my attendance at that Roosevelt Hotel fundraiser, but it was weird to see the price drop with each email invite. Save your personal attacks for someone who cares. It took a lot of exposure to the juvenile hatred of my fellow dems to decide that there is no hope.

- K2K

January 2, 2013 at 9:23pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

I notice, K2K, that you completely ignored my response about the striking victory that Obama won in the state of New York on November 6, 2012. Rather unlike a candidate whom nobody wants to see, I'd suggest. But completely ignoring what everyone else says in response to you: why doesn't that surprise me?

- ironyroad

January 2, 2013 at 10:00pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Sep 23, 2010???? wtf???? and of course Obama attended open fundraisers in NYC, he did a bunch this cycle. Here is one: The third and final fundraiser of the evening is a star-studded event before about 1,700 people at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Neil Patrick Harris, James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury will be among the performers there. According to The Journal, tickets to the Waldorf Astoria event started at $2,500 per person, while the New Amsterdam Theatre fundraiser cost at least $250 per person. Proceeds from Monday's events will go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic parties. Read more: http://www.myfoxny.com/story/18695305/obama-bill-clinton-team-up-for-nyc-fundraisers#ixzz2GsUTwknv On Nov. 15 Obama went to Queens and Staten Island.

- blackton

January 2, 2013 at 10:08pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

KKK posts chosen highlights from articles. KKK failed to copy and post this: "Still, the Obama fundraisers must be doing something right, because the DNC has consistently outraised the RNC, taking in $10.9 million in August, according to The Washington Post."

- arnon1

January 2, 2013 at 10:29pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

irony: one could argue that New York's Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has long coattails in what was one of the lowest turnout states in 2012 (http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2012G.html). Yes, Obama won 63.4% of the 53% of eligible voters in New York who bothered to vote. But, Gillibrand won with 337,007 MORE votes than Obama even though 391,895 more votes were cast for the Presidency than for Gillibrand's Senate contest. NYS finally posted the final vote count in December: Total for President: 7,052,560 of which 4,471,871 were cast for Obama/Biden, including 147,653 who voted on the Working Families Party line. Total for Senate: 6,660,665 of which 4,808,878 were cast for Gillibrand, including 250,580 votes on the WFP line. http://www.elections.ny.gov/2012ElectionResults.html Public fundraisers in NYC with Bill Clinton do not count. Everyone knows that, except Blackton.

- K2K

January 3, 2013 at 12:07am

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

K2K - yes, you're right. Obama is highly unpopular in NY. Democrats are angry at him and, of course, Pelosi, who is the incarnation of evil. The 63% of the 53% who "bothered to vote" (in the middle of a Hurricane causing billions in damages) also really, really hate the ACA and would have voted for Guvner Perry had he run. Your political perspicacity is unique, to say the least.

- icarus-r

January 3, 2013 at 10:14am

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Nate - I don't think you really believe Peter King is going to stay "angry" at Boehner do you? He was calling him his buddy by 9:00 pm last night.

- WandreyCer

January 3, 2013 at 11:10am

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Dear Wandrey, I care what Christie thinks because it could signal some sanity returning to the GOP and that IS important. The far right is running the party right now, which is as you say victimizing innocent people but is also extremely dangerous for the rest of the country. Other Republicans who are sane, like Crist in Florida, have left the party altogether. Sandy might have been a bridge too far. I hope so. I hope the Republicans either splinter and fall apart altogether, let the fascists have their own party, whatever, or, the GOP center of power moves back toward the center.

- Sophia

January 3, 2013 at 12:25pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Also, beyond typing comments there doesn't appear to be much *we* can do about anything. The sense of power gained through the election has sadly dissipated in the "victory" which enshrined almost all of the Bush tax cuts forever. I can't wait for the retaliatory onslaught, having cost the rich a few pennies the right will now be out for the blood of poor people, folks who need Medicare, and old and disabled people. Of course it will also be found that the EPA, FDA, FEMA, NOAA, so forth, are Too Expensive. This is "balance" you see and it is Fiscally Responsible. So, what are we supposed to do exactly?

- Sophia

January 3, 2013 at 12:29pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

I agree with you Sophia. I think I've officially Hit the Wall on politics. Between the two Sandy's and the work I've been doing since as a social worker, I might just be fried and traumatized to a numb crisp. I get entertainment from Christie these days because his tenor and energy is the anti-Obama: passionate, openly self serving, swearing, carrying on, heart on his sleeve, seemingly risk taking against his party (he's a terrific actor - and just that - an actor). I almost believe him when he winks and postures that he's not really a modern asshole Republican. He stands up to the bigots in his party (no way you could win in Jersey as a tea party bigot) and has the former federal prosecutor's loathing of the drug war. Good for him. But until he comes out and starts really acting like it policy wise, he IS in fact a modern asshole Republican. He lies constantly about ANYthing to do with economics/numbers/public finances in any situtation. He preens with the ACA Refusnik Idiot Governor Association about setting up the exchanges, which will manifestly causes yet more people to needlessly suffer for no other reason than to keep himself in somewhat good graces with the assholes that still run his party. He knows better which makes him worse. So he's been amusing and I like the Jersey guy shtick as much as the next guy but I've seriously had enough of politics and have zero faith that it will get anything more than much worse. Yeah, I'll hold my breath on gun control and climate change.

- WandreyCer

January 3, 2013 at 1:15pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

Oy it's hard not to be bummed out! Still we gotta keep on truckin'. But listening to Pelosi praise Boehner to the skies was almost too much. He WAS too much, tube, turned OFF. Sigh.

- Sophia

January 3, 2013 at 4:26pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

whilst my comment at 01/03/2013 - 12:07am EDT | K2K was in response to ironyroad, icarus who lives in Canada, chose to misread me solely to get off on the snarky bullying he so loves. Election day was more than one week after StormSandy, and the voting results from the coastal areas most affected were surprisingly high, higher than in 2008 when voter turnout was even lower. The only signs there had been any storm once you got away from the coast, was trees down, and a temporary gas shortage. It remains fascinating that Senator Gillibrand won re-election with so many more votes than the Democrat at the top of the ticket. When Hillary ran in 2006, she got 250,000 fewer votes than Spitzer did for governor. That included all of us who were tired of having Senator SendMeMoney pretending to be a real Senator.

- K2K

January 4, 2013 at 2:01am

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

K2K has a Tabloid mentality.

- arnon1

January 4, 2013 at 11:11pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

I'm not in NY so I'm not sure if I'm a good judge of what the Gillibrand vote means on the ground, K2K (e.g. there are upstate Republican voters who like her), but my main beef was that your initial statement on that thread "Obama can only visit NY for private fundraisers" was hyberbole and seemed just plain silly in the light of the Sandy experience as well as the election outcome. Other than that, I don't know if we're disagreeing on Hagel -- perhaps not?

- ironyroad

January 9, 2013 at 2:48pm

You must be a subscriber to post comments. Subscribe today.

SHARE HIGHLIGHT

0 CHARACTERS SELECTED

TWEET THIS

POST TO TUMBLR

SHARE ON FACEBOOK

Close