(
)
ALBANY — Nervous state Democrats are flooding voters with mailings blasting Republican candidate Bob Turner in the hotly contested 9th Congressional District, upping the ante in the closer-than-expected race to succeed disgraced ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner.
With President Obama’s standing in the polls in free fall, the state Democratic Committee’s mailings to Queens and Brooklyn residents accuse Turner of being a “Tea Party extremist” who wants to dismantle Social Security and Medicare.
Turner struck back with a “robo-call” from former Mayor Ed Koch yesterday, slamming Democratic rival David Weprin for lying to scare senior citizens.
“Weprin should be ashamed of himself,” Koch said.
With less than a month to go before the Sept. 13 special election, both sides are turning up the rhetoric after an Aug. 11 Siena College poll found businessman Turner within six points of state Assemblyman Weprin in a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one.
After the poll, Democratic leaders vowed they would mobilize their forces to retain the seat, which was once held by US Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The State Democratic Committee mailers note Turner’s support for Republican congressional leaders who would “dismantle” Medicare and replace it with a voucher program that would force seniors to pay $6,400 more a year in out-of-pocket expenses.
The mailers also maintain Turner “plans to end Social Security as we know it.”
Democrat Koch, who crossed parties to endorse Turner, said in a recorded telephone message to thousands of seniors in the district, “David Weprin is making phone calls trying to scare seniors. They’re nonsense. Weprin should be ashamed of himself . . . Bob Turner is running for Congress to protect your Medicare and Social Security.
“If anyone tries to scare you with lies about Bob Turner, tell ’em Ed Koch told them to knock it off!
“Send Washington a message: Vote for Bob Turner for Congress on September 13th.”
Koch reminded listeners that Turner also has the support of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the Liberal Party, which lost its ballot status in 2002.
The State Democratic Committee declined comment on how much it spent on the anti-Turner mailings.