New York Democrats hailed President-elect Barack Obama‘s victory as a return to political pre-eminence for the Big Apple yesterday – even as some worried that Chicago will supplant the city as the center of the party’s political universe.
Democratic luminaries predicted Obama – who began his path to power on Chicago’s South Side – would usher in a new urban-friendly agenda that ends long-festering feuds between New York and Washington.
In recent years, the Empire State has battled with Beltway Republicans over everything from Homeland Security aid to transportation and poverty funding.
“Not only shouldn’t we have to fight with this White House, but I think they’re going to get the kind of challenges that New York faces,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens).
Sen. Charles Schumer agreed: “The policies that help Chicago can only help New York,” he said.
Some Dems, however, expressed concern such political common ground would be offset by New York’s losses in the spoils system as Obama assembles a staff dominated by Illinois loyalists.