Rick Perry Aims to Steal New York Dem Votes, Charles Rangel Crashes the Party

Rick Perry has been, despite his overwhelmingly conservative cred, working for two traditionally strong democratic votes; those of the Hispanic and Jewish communities. In particular, Perry traveled to New York City recently for a two-day tour of the burroughs where he spoke about things like immigration reform (he has a decidedly un-Republican record in Texas on that point) and on his support for Israel. Perry, the current front-runner in the GOP primary, has reason to campaign in NYC ahead of the general election. For one, a recent upset in the NY-9 special election, a traditionally Democratic leaning election district, elected Republican Bob Turner over a "third tier" Democrat. In addition, one of President Obama's strong lines of support came from Hispanic and Jewish communities, with exit polls showing 67% and 78%, respectively. Perry is no doubt taking advantage of some of Obama's eroding support among those constituencies to "poison the well".

Obama's support of the Palestinian state over the previous months has hurt much of his support among conservative Jewish communities, as well as conservatives in general. Appealing to Israel to acknowledge the state's existence by returning some of the lands they have settled since the 1970's brought on strong reactions from both quarters. This was one of the main sticking points in Rep. Bob Turner's campaign, where he avidly supporting Israel's disavowal of Palestine's right to autonomy. Turner turned much of his campaign into a "referendum" on Obama's policy decisions thus far, which many Republicans are hailing as the reason for Turner's victory and a precursor to 2012. In truth, Turner's victory was against an admittedly weak Democratic opponent, and his seat is likely to disappear in 2012 when new York redraws its districting lines.

Hispanics, particularly liberal and progressive communities within the Hispanic population, have expressed strong disapproval of Obama's hesitance in creating comprehensive immigration reform. The DREAM Act, which so far has been Obama's only major movement in the direction of immigration reform, has created a stir among conservatives that call it amnesty. The program was designed to make citizenship possible for individuals that were brought illegally into the country as minors by their parents. After meeting fairly strict requirements in academics and possessing no criminal record, these individuals will be allowed to pursue full citizenship. Although the GOP has denounced the program, Perry actually instituted something similar in Texas, allowing illegal immigrants that entered as minors in-state college tuition, and opposing lengthening the US-Mexico border wall. Perry has received a number of rhetorical punches for his immigration position in Texas by fellow candidates, but he has likely garnered more of the conservative Hispanic vote for it.

In a surprise twist to Perry's trip to the Big Apple, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), a 42 year veteran of the House, dropped by one of Perry's speaking events at a local diner in his district. According to CBSNews, Rangel, "startled reporters waiting for Perry when he turned up outside a restaurant where the Texas governor was scheduled to meet with local business leaders." When questioned, Rangel said he didn't know it was going to be a Republican event, his tongue firmly lodged in his teeth. Rangel finally admitted, as he waited for the Texas governor to arrive, that he was there, "to figure out what the governor is doing here? Aren't you?"