Grimm set to reap house seat in New York
Image via WikipediaIt’s a race so off-the-radar it has yet to be independently polled, but its outcome could determine the way the House goes in the midterms. And this competition, in New York’s 13th congressional district, is a microcosm of what’s happening nationwide: The incumbent, a popular, charming policy wonk, is on the verge of being ousted by a newcomer, a political neophyte running on the broad charge that government has become too big, too unwieldy and too meddlesome.There is much more.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the incumbent is a Democrat.
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The seat Michael McMahon holds has historically belonged to a Republican, but the twin boons of Obama fever and predecessor Vito Fossella’s spectacular flame-out contributed to a landslide victory in 2008 (he won with 61% of the vote). McMahon, 53, is your typical old-school Irish pol, able to synthesize deep knowledge of policy with a working-class, regular-guy brand of charisma. Cops and firefighters love him, and he has the official backing of both. His suit may be expensive, but the ringtone to his cellphone is the “Seinfeld” theme. He thinks it’s funny, every time.
His challenger is a 40-year-old novice who won his primary without party backing. Michael Grimm, who has lived on Staten Island since 1994, has the ne plus ultra in Republican resumes. Young and conventionally good-looking, he’s a highly decorated Marine who served in the first Gulf War, then went on to work as an undercover FBI agent. He’s been endorsed by his old boss, current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, as well as by Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani, Guy Molinari, John McCain, and former President George H.W. Bush, who had Grimm up to his house in Maine.
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Unlike nearly every other contested seat in the midterms, the race on Staten Island remains an utter mystery. It’s not been pulled apart and analyzed by the media, state or national. There are no high-profile TV ads. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has yet to throw any money McMahon’s way, and the National Republican Congressional Committee, according to Grimm’s staff, just committed $90,000 to their race a little over a week ago. And yet it may be the most influential contest of the cycle.
A source at the DCCC told The Post that if Grimm wins the seat, it will predict the way the House goes nationally. “But,” says this operative, “I would never openly admit that.”
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He sounds like the kind of conservative who would do well in Texas. That he is doing well in the shadow of New York City tells you how much Obama has changed the political map to help the Republicans. He has certainly energized the Republican base and inspired candidates like Grimm to get involved.
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