Queens Assembly Candidate Sends Mailings With Swastikas

A Queens Democrat has sent out mailings illustrated with a swastika that label his rival for an open Assembly seat as an "extremist" who is "out of touch with our community's values." Just days before a special election for a northeastern Queens seat, former Councilman David Weprin attacked Republican and Conservative party candidate Bob Friedrich with literature showing the Nazi symbol and text accusing his foe of not taking a tough enough stance against hate crimes.

One side of the ad shows police officers, crime scene tape, and a photoshopped swastika with the text: "Extreme Conservative Bob Friedrich Doesn't Think Hate Crimes Deserve Special Punishment." Friedrich—who is Jewish—called the mailing "repugnant" and "offensive to all people." He told the Post: "Hateful campaign tactics like this, using Nazi propaganda with a swastika, really is offensive ... It goes beyond anything that I have ever seen in a campaign. I was sickened to my stomach when I saw it."

Weprin— who is also Jewish—hasn't commented on the mailers. But his campaign manager, Corey Bearak, confirmed they were sent out by the campaign. In a statement to the Daily News, Bearak said illustrating the ads with a swastika shouldn't be considered offensive:

"It's not offensive to make sure people know just home extreme Republican-Conservative Bob Friedrich is; this extremist opposes hate crimes legislation—it's offensive that Republican Bob Friedrich actually opposes hate crimes legislation."

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By Ben Muessig in News on February 5, 2010 5:30 PM

Comments [rss]

JaneV

David Weprin ran a failed bid for comptroller in '09 in which his OWN party did not even endorse him. The only reason he got the Democratic nod for this special election is that 2 of the 4 district leaders who must endorse him are David himself and his brother Mark. One can only conclude that the Democrats had no one better to put up for this election, so they settled for scraping the bottom of the barrel with David Weprin. I'll bet they are regretting this now, and if they're not, they should be. These despicable tactics are a disgrace and an embarrassment to the entire Democratic Party and right now I feel ashamed to be a Democrat!!

binbrooklyn

Finally a DEMOCRAT WITH BACKBONE! Did you read his response! The national Democrats could learn a few things.

I love this:

"It's not offensive to make sure people know just how extreme

Republican-Conservative Bob Friedrich is; this extremist opposes hate crimes legislation - it's offensive that Republican Bob Friedrich actually opposes hate crimes legislation. "

Imagine if our President or Nancy Pelosi DEFENDED Democratic ideas like this?

Imagine if they defended Choice, Health Insurance Reform, Gun Control with crisp, decisive language like that!

inoyourider

I think rational people would register independent.

thefacts

Godwin's Law is alive and well in Queens.

Kelles

yah...but did you hear how Weprin likes to tie his shoes?

Oxford

I predict this will backfire big time.

inoyourider

Dirtiest thing I've seen all week.

Weprin should be ashamed and disqualified.

justthinkin

Kind of makes that guy in the Heights seem cutting edge.

Kelles

wat a dirty tactic, maybe the other guy should send out flyers with pictures of an area rug?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Not surprising from Weprin, he is a MAJOR WEASEL. I was glad he lost the comptroller race and now this former city council member is running for his brother's seat. His brother now hold the city council seat. You just can't get rid of them. Vote Republican in this case.

longacre

What a douchebag. Way to pander to a group over non-issue. There are a lot of Jews in northeastern Queens, but there is very little serious crime. People are far more worried about their car being stolen than catching a skinhead beatdown.