“I think everyone here would agree that we should not be outlawing marriages between Jews and non-Jews or interracial marriages.”
These are words that New York Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin must regret saying.
He certainly sounds like a man who does.
He, of course, said them in the context of explaining his vote to redefine marriage in New York this summer.
In response, a group of rabbis in Flatbush have even gone so far as to say it is against Jewish law to support him.
The economy and Israel have been commonly raised as explaining why a Republican might just win today’s special election in New York to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Weiner. The seat once held by former Democratic vice presidential nominee the late Geraldine Ferraro. But marriage has also played a role.
Further evidence that social issues aren’t losers, even in New York.
And it’s no less an authority than the New York Times that has recognized that dynamic in the district. And they are not alone. Public Policy Polling even suggests as much.
You can watch the assembly speech that irked his orthodox brethren here:
It’s also worth noting that it’s not just Orthodox Jews turning on Weprin. Once, again, Democrat state senator Ruben Diaz is making the case for traditional marriage, endorsing, and lending his voice to Turner support.