Democratic mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson is viewed as the favorite to win the majority of the Orthodox Jewish vote in this years election for mayor. Yesterday, Assemblyman Dov Hikind endorsed Mr. Thompson as his choice for mayor citing their 31 years relationship.
The question begs, was that a smart move on behalf of Mr. Thompson to be embraced by Mr. Hikind? Well, according to some observers the answer is: Not necessarily.
In reporting the endorsement, the NY Post described Mr. Hikind’s endorsement as noncommittal. “Political observers say that while Hikind is frequently courted by candidates because of his longtime ties to Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community, his track record of backing winners is unreliable,” writes Beth Defalco in the Post.
“An endorsement by Dov Hikind is tantamount to losing the vote in the 48th Assembly District, which he represents. The other candidates should be quite thankful!” quipped one political source.
As did WNYC in covering the endorsement: “Hikind is one of the more visible leaders in his Orthodox community, though he does not command as large a following — and cannot rally voters on Election Day — as influentially as the grand rabbis who lead Hasidic sects like those in other areas of Brooklyn.”
Mr. Hikind’s record of handing over opposite results to the candidate he enthusiastically backs is very notable. In 2009, Bill Thompson, who was backed by Mr. Hikind, lost the 48th Assembly District by 4-1 to mayor Bloomberg. Not to mention, his recent losses attributed to his name, such as Joe Lazar, candidate for the 44th Council seat in 2010, and Charles Finkelstein for Civil Court Judge in 2012.
In an interview with the Jewish Week, Mr. Hikind blamed his diminishing power on the Community. “I can only guarantee four votes,” those of himself, his wife and two sons. “I always meet people who ask me, who are you supporting?… I know I have my share of enemies who are out to hurt me, but I think there are a lot of people out there who trust me,” he told the Jewish Week.
(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)
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12 Responses
If Hikind has no influence, why do his constituents keep reelecting him. The only poll that matters (the one conducted on the 1st Tuesday after a Monday in November) suggests Hikind is quite popular.
akuperma – He wins because nobody runs against him. In “the only poll that matters”, as you phrase it those of us in his district have the choice between Dov Hikind – Republican, Dov Hikind – Democrat, Dov Hikind – Conservative, etc.
Every line has the same candidate, Dov Hikind.
Akuperma,
Hikind is as relevant to the mayoral race as Noach Dear is to a presidential race. After the blackface debacle and him constantly putting his foot in his mouth (of course in front of a camera) he carries as much weight as a 90 year old man in a strong man competition.
I’d go with Hikind’s choice before a Rebbe’s endorsement.
He keeps getting re- elected because better the devil you know than the one you don’t. The candidates opposing him in recent elections have been very unattractive.
#1 akuperma — Precisely correct. Those that suggest otherwise are simple purveyors of hot air designed to give them a subject to rabble about in the absence of anything better to do with their lives.
There has never been a better Jewish Political servant than Div Hikind .
Let’s Love him – and nothing else.
The residents of Borough Park support Dov Hikind that’s why he gets reelected over & over again.
He does so much chesed for his constituents.
Politics brings out the strangest people for the strangest reasons. You may agree with an elected person on a specific policy issue but a week later you may turn against him/her because you disagree with his/her policy on another issue. That’s Politics.
Another person may come along who looks frumer, or promises more, or sounds more convincing, whatever and will convince you that his candidate is better when in fact she is the worst candidate of the bunch but her frum promoter gets paid nicely for promoting her.
What do you do? Whom do you support? How do you get real information on the candidates?
If you have internet go directly to their official website. Then Google them to see how their current promises match-up to what they have already done in their years of being in office.
Don’t believe everything you read even in Jewish publications. Everyone has an agenda and their views may be different from your. Don’t believe anything you read in the NY Times. Their articles are written to accommodate their own point of view. Meet the candidate and ask questions if possible. Speak to non-political Rabbonim. Even some Rabbonim who are involved in political matters may have a slanted view. But whatever you do, VOTE.
A Ruv once said “Don’t believe a word a politician says.” “The only Emes said by a politician/candidate is what he says about his opponent!”
It’s been exceedingly obvious that your website has a longstanding bias and sinas chinam to Dov Hikind. No matter what he does, you disparage and belittle. His endorsement of Thompson is just one example. Perhaps it’s because Hikind advertises on a competing blog, or maybe it’s just plain sinas chinam. But, on this 17th of Elul, the day the Meraglim perished, it’s time for you to grow up and knock it off.
Reb drug commish,
Like to read your comments but could u keep it a tad shorther, shabbos is in 5 hours.
Its time too move on. Enough already! Dov is way of touch with his community. Lets get someone to take over that will do something.
People only downplay what they are scared of.