New Yorkers were in a daze yesterday, after the long and steady stream of of election returns, electoral map math and finally news that Senator John Kerry conceded the election to President Bush. New Yorkers voted 2-to-1 in Kerry's favor, with Bush getting only 17% of the vote in Manhattan and the Bronx, though there were some who supported the President. The NY Times speaks with many people who marvel at the difference between New York and the rest of the country ("I don't know anyone who voted for Bush") and who try to explain why Kerry failed ("There's a lot of resentment toward the Northeast carpetbagger stereotype, and Kerry fit right in to that"). The final quote is from film producer Beverly Camhe:
If the heartland feels so alienated from us, then it behooves us to wrap our arms around the heartland. We need to bring our way of life, which is honoring diversity and having compassion for people with different lifestyles, on a trip around the country.
This is actually a great idea. While Gothamist hates to go places where our Metrocard can't take us or where there is a 24 hour bodega on the corner for that emegency pint of ice cream, the idea of some sort of traveling road show about how NYC is fabulous and diverse sounds good to us. Mayor Bloomberg, we know you're in the middle of fiscal planning, and we know that we have extensive "Come visit NYC" tourism efforts, but maybe we need to do more guerilla marketing in Heartland states...that, plus try to figure out why they voted for moral issues, versus economic or security ones - Gothamist still doesn't get that.
The Daily News has an editorial to President Bush from New York.
Our readers's reactions on news of Kerry's concession and mourning his loss. Transcripts of speeches from President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Senator Kerry, and Senator Edwards. [NYT]
Photo of Senator Kerry's concession speech from AFP
