Gleeful Republican leaders said tonight that Bob Turner’s stunning victory for Anthony Weiner’s vacant city congressional seat shows that New York is in play in next year’s presidential race.
“The New York Republican Party is back,” state GOP chairman Ed Cox said at the party’s annual fundraising dinner at Sheraton Towers.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said a GOP presidential nominee could carry New York for the first time since Ronald Reagan in 1984 and help defeat President Obama.
“Obama is unnaceptable to the people of the United States – starting in Queens,” said Barbour, the featured speaker at the GOP dinner.
Turner got a rousing standing ovation when he was introduced.
He said Republicans should stick to their ideals because voters “can handle the truth.”
Asked about becoming a GOP national symbol following his win, Turner said, “I am the right person at the right time — God willing.”