Rep. King dismisses Democrats’ attacks as ‘waste of money’

The Hill
By Jeremy P. Jacobs
Posted: 06/03/09

Democrats fired their first warning shot at Rep. Pete King this week, putting the outspoken Republican on notice that they see an opportunity to completely wipe out the GOP in New York.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is running radio ads in King’s Long Island district that criticize him for his vote against President Obama’s stimulus package.

And with King still in the mix as a possible 2010 Senate contender, Democrats are hoping to accomplish two goals with this salvo.

“There is no question this attack is an attempt to shut him down from getting in the Senate race and to put him on notice that his House seat may be in danger,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a New York Democratic strategist. If it works, “they get him out of the Senate race and potentially wound him enough to put someone in there to beat him for his House seat, which would be more difficult.”

King, in his usual blunt style, dismissed the radio ads as a “waste of money.”

“I assume they are playing some kind of game,” he told The Hill. “And I’m not being overly macho.”

King said that according to independent polls that he’s studied, his “numbers have never been higher.”

“People love me, believe it or not,” he quipped.

King also agreed that Democrats are “taking a warning shot” because of his possible Senate campaign. He said it is “less than 50-50” that he’ll challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) next year but noted repeatedly during the interview that she “has real weaknesses.”

Taking down King in his House district could prove difficult. King has won by large margins in his previous reelection bids and benefits from a 46,000 GOP voter registration advantage in the district.

And, as he likes to point out, in 2006 King faced a serious challenger and then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) were on the top of the ballot. He won that year with 56 percent of the vote.

“I could probably find 50 Republicans who are more vulnerable than I am,” King said.

King, who now has $1.1 million in his war chest, has been outspent in four races that he went on to win.

“If they are spending money against me, it’s money that they are not spending against vulnerable Republicans,” he said. “I’m taking a bullet for the team, and it’s a blank.”

King’s record has helped him defy recent Democratic gains in the Northeast, said Paul Lindsay, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

“Peter King has always been seen as a strong and consistent voice on behalf of all New Yorkers,” Lindsay said. “He has a history of taking on strong challenges in difficult political environments, and 2010 will be no different.”

Democrats, though, think they may have a strategy in this latest ad buy. They hope to take advantage of King’s brazen style and believe that if they continue to take jabs at him, King could react in a damaging way.

“Between his erratic behavior and paltry record on the most pressing issues facing his constituents, Peter King can expect a difficult reelection in 2010,” said DCCC spokesman Shripal Shah.

Democrats also say they’ve never had a serious challenger for King and believe if they knock him off stride early they’ll be able to land a top-tier recruit.

Possible candidates include Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, who New York sources say would be formidable; Isobel Coleman of the Council on Foreign Relations, who is considering the race; and Frank Boulton, the owner of a minor league baseball team on Long Island.

Boulton said he is considering it and has spoken with Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who represents the neighboring 2nd district, about running.

The biggest fish, though, would be Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, whose name was floated as a possible appointee to Clinton’s former Senate seat. Suozzi would be “excellent,” said Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Shaffer.

Democrats insist they see an opportunity against any Republican in the Empire State after a special election earlier this year saw Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy’s win in a district where Republicans held a significant voter registration advantage.

And, on Tuesday, Democrats got another opportunity to pick up a seat in New York when President Obama nominated Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) to be Army secretary.

If McHugh is confirmed, King will be one of just two Republicans left in New York’s 29-member House delegation. Freshman Rep. Chris Lee is the other, and he is also likely to be targeted next year.

“This is a state in the process of bluing somewhat,” said David Birdsell, a political scientist at Baruch College in New York. “Even House races that were not competitive six years ago are now in play.”

“It is mind-blowing how few Republicans are left in Long Island,” added Douglas Muzzio, another political scientist at Baruch College.