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Fast Forward

Weprin Blames Loss on Unpopular Obama

Defeated Democratic Congressional candidate David Weprin blamed President Barack Obama’s unpopularity for sinking his race to hold Anthony Weiner’s old seat.

Weprin, who was trounced by Republican Bob Turner, told reporters that voters wanted to send a message of discontentment to the White House.

“The message of the campaign was ‘Send Obama a message,’ ” Weprin, a state lawmaker, told The New York Post. “I think the problem was that he’s the president and people are frustrated, and it’s just natural to take it out on the top guy or the top guy’s party.

“As much as I tried to make it about David Weprin or Bob Turner, I don’t think that resonated to voters. I think that voters looked at it as a referendum on the president,’’ Weprin added.

Weprin, an Orthodox Jew, spoke a day after Democratic strategists lashed out at Queens Democratic boss Joe Crowley for picking Weprin, whom they branded a lackluster candidate.

Democrats outnumber Republicans by 3-to-1 in the district, which covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens and it is one of the most heavily Jewish districts in the nation.

Turner’s stay in office may be limited since the seat may be eliminated when New York undergoes redistricting next year to eliminate two seats.

Weiner resigned in disgrace amid a scandal over racy text messsages he sent to women.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/was_sunk_by_obama_weprin_QKC6GKu5K9Cvrlz3FlI4EL#ixzz1Y77hkgYK

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