11/07/00 2:30 p.m.
That Diverse New York Voter
Not as predictable as you’d think.

Robert A. George is an editorial page writer
for the New York Post------------------------------------RAGGEDmail@aol.com

New York may not be quite as predictable as it is believed — or at least New York voters might not be.

The Ragged Thotster found himself in a bar last night. There were eight other people at one table. In heavily Democratic New York City, one would expect a landslide in one direction. Now, this was not a scientific survey by any means, but the people all had diverse backgrounds: psychologist, accountant, ad copywriter, lawyer, graphic designer. One thing in common they shared was a creative bent: All were students in an improvisation class. All were white. But their political decisions were all over the map.

Of the eight individuals, three (two women, one man) were straight-ticket Democrats (voting Al Gore for president and Hillary Clinton for Senate). One woman was voting for Gore/Lazio. One guy, inexplicably, was voting for Bush for president, but Hillary for Senate. He indicated that his choice was guided by Lazio's initial "she's not from New York" message. This voter apparently felt that New York welcomes all people, regardless of background. There was one straight ticket Bush/Lazio voter — a male North Carolina transplant. Two other people were voting third party for president: A John Hagelin supporter was voting for Lazio for Senate and a Ralph Nader voter was going for Hillary. The Hagelin voter thought Gore was a liar, but Nader was too far left; he felt Hillary couldn't be trusted ("If she'd lived here two years, I wouldn't have a problem supporting her. But she hasn't even been here one.") The Naderite believed that there was too much money in the political system. He also thought that Bush was going to win, so it was important to strengthen the Democrats in Congress — to provide a check. So Gore can only expect four solid votes for him from these eight people. Now, admittedly, nearly everyone expects the vice president to win handily here. Still, the fact that he can only get 50 percent from a group of young professionals in Democratic New York seems like a microcosm of all the deficiencies in his campaign.

And the wait continues. It won't be long now.