There’s one sure way to lose the senior vote: insult old people.
At an AARP-Univision mayoral forum this morning, mayoral contender Anthony Weiner pulled out the age card to taunt his most vocal challengers, 69-year-old Doe Fund founder George McDonald. Weiner is 48.
Before the debate, Weiner put a hand on McDonald’s back and said hello, prompting McDonald to reply: “I would appreciate if you would never touch me again.”
Weiner retorted: “What are you going to do about it, grandpa?” according to two sources.
The feud between the two has been simmering since last week.
At a debate in Laurelton, Queens on Thursday, McDonald called Weiner a “self-pleasuring freak.” He said he was embarrassed to tell his 10-year-old granddaughter why Weiner was famous. Weiner replied then by calling McDonald a candidate “chirping at the fringes,” which only fanned the flame of the GOP candidate’s temper.
But Weiner’s remarks today are sure to hurt him with older voters – votes he has been courting by campaigning at numerous senior centers.