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October 31, 2008

How Brooklynites Donated

brooklyn-voting-map-1008.jpgThis morning the Columbia Journalism Review Journalist puts into pictures what most of could have guessed about the political leaning of King's County: Brooklyn's pretty blue. Working with data from opensecrets.org, CJ mapped political contributions to Obama and McCain by zip code. Only seven areas donated in McCain's favor, and they were all in the south. By far the most pro-McCain neighborhood was Bensonhurst, where the white-haired war hero got 95% of the loot. The percentage was flipped in Park Slope, where Obama raked in a total of $496,089.




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:30 AM | Comments (43)
Categories: Politics

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Comments

The Navy Yard can't make up its mind.

Posted by: dittoburg at October 31, 2008 10:33 AM

That's not Columbia Journalism Review, it's Columbia JOURNALIST -- a website produced by students at the Graduate School of Journalism. CJR looks completely different.

Posted by: phoebe at October 31, 2008 11:01 AM

Actually Brownstoner, this chart shows 85% donations for McCain in Bensonhurst. It's Bay Ridge that's over 95% (11214). And a little over half the donations in Midwood and Ditmas were for McCain. We could look at it as an old-timer vs. newcomer statistic in these neighborhoods. That's another way one could use this chart as it pertains to real estate.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 31, 2008 11:07 AM

I wonder if the map would look the same if they plotted average IQ?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 11:17 AM

Bay Ridge is 11209, not 11214 (Bath Beach).

Posted by: nybk01 at October 31, 2008 11:37 AM

Not surprising about Bensonhurst since it's well known that area has some issues with minorities.

Posted by: MGP at October 31, 2008 11:45 AM

I bow my head in shame.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 12:35 PM

BRG, nothing that a last minute donation of $10,000,000 to the Obama campaign can't fix for you and all of Bay Ridge.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 31, 2008 12:38 PM

I like that phrase "issues with minorities" We can't use the word "racists" anymore????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 12:43 PM

MGP;

Your ignorance is astounding. Have you actually been to Bensonhurst in the past 20 years? It is now one of the more mixed areas in the city, due to an influx of Chinese, Russian and Hispanic immigrants. In addition, the adjacent Marlboro project is almost 100% Afican-American. Hey, but don't let the facts stop you from disparaging people who don't agree with your politics.

Posted by: benson at October 31, 2008 12:46 PM

I know plenty of people that have issues with minorities that aren't racists.

And Biff, unlike you northerners, us southerners, don't have that kind of cash laying around.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:01 PM

BRG...what kind of issues don't make then racist? I guess maybe you're speaking about some Mexican food being too spicy, the sukkah eyesore out in front of your Jewish neighbor's house, the Indians can get cigarettes with no taxes on the reservations!!!!

I'd love to hear more.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:06 PM

BRG...the south will rise up again!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:08 PM

I agree with benson. Bensonhurst is extremely diverse, but all the diversity is driven by new immigrants. And they are not donating. Period.

Posted by: genya at October 31, 2008 1:08 PM

DIBS - if your culture worships cows and mine eats them, then you might have an issue with me, but that doesn't make you a racist.

I think BRG is talking about cultural differences.

Posted by: dittoburg at October 31, 2008 1:13 PM

DIBS, I said that phrase with my tongue in my Cheek.

Should have put a smiley at the end of it. Take nothing I post seriously today, I'm very giddy right now.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:15 PM

"that area has some issues with minorities."

Maybe MGP was talking about Ebony Magazine. It has issues (and back issues) with minorities.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 31, 2008 1:16 PM

I'm sure that BRG is. It was MGP's post that made it sound hokey.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:17 PM


Bensonhurst is today more diverse than say, the period from 1950 to 1990. But let's not kid ourselves - there's still a sizeable Italian community that among other things won't support Obama, and in general aren't too thrilled with minorities.

Posted by: East New York at October 31, 2008 1:20 PM

I could see that BRG...my only real issue was MGP's original use of the term It rang of, well, racism!!! He/she hasn't been back to defend it either.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:22 PM

'I'm sure that BRG is.'

DIBS, BRG is a what??? A racist!!
I'm not a racist, I have a really good friend, who's black.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:25 PM

Shit, forgot to include the smiley face at the end of that.


:)

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:26 PM

"there's still a sizeable Italian community that among other things won't support Obama, and in general aren't too thrilled with minorities."

Hmmmmmmmmm;

Now that you've "racially profiled" one particular ethnic group, I look forward to your future lectures on the need for not doing likewise with regards to other groups.

Posted by: benson at October 31, 2008 1:29 PM

Good point benson

NOOOOOOO BRG...it's gotten all confused now I was responding to Dittoburg at 1:13....Sorry :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:39 PM

sorry, DIBS, thank goodness. I was just going to start frying some chicken to prove it. :)

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:42 PM

I would like to see the demographics of Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst these days before making any statements about these areas having issues with minorities. With the recent immigrant influx into these areas, I have a suspision they have a larger percentage of minorities than Park Slope. Your nanny work force population doesn't count. I am also guessing that minorities don't have issues with anyone, for their hearts and minds are pure! But with all of that said, come Janaury it will be "What have you done for me lately?" No one's going to care about ethnic background (Except the useless NYTimes and NBC) if the next administration makes matters worse. Get over yoursleves.

Posted by: ou812 at October 31, 2008 1:42 PM

"Now that you've "racially profiled" one particular ethnic group, I look forward to your future lectures on the need for not doing likewise with regards to other groups."

I'm merely speaking the truth. I don't think anyone would deny that traditionally, the neighborhood has been overwhelmingly Italian, and not welcoming to minorities.

I'm not planning any "lectures," but keep waiting if it makes you feel better.

Posted by: East New York at October 31, 2008 1:45 PM

'I am also guessing that minorities don't have issues with anyone, for their hearts and minds are pure!'

Now that is funny!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:45 PM

"I have a really good friend, who's black."

BRG, come on. I don't believe that. You have a really good friend?

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 31, 2008 1:49 PM

I gave Obama $800 in four installments, so my part of Clinton Hill should be blue.

Posted by: wasder at October 31, 2008 1:56 PM

Yes, Biff...BUT she shops at Banana Republic and loves Elton John, does she still qualify as Black?

I hope people reading this have a sense of humor, otherwise, I'm going to get into so much trouble, here.

Smiley faces galore.
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 31, 2008 1:58 PM

Seems to me, this map is greatly outdated. If you log on to Fundrace at the Huffington Post http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/ you see much larger numbers for many of the zip codes I checked! AND you can check exactly what you next door neighbour gave and to whom!

Posted by: bianca at October 31, 2008 2:02 PM

All of my finest encounters with racism directed at me, an innocent kid trying to get to middle school and high school, occurred in Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. Not 50 years ago, but 20 years ago. So yes, MGP and ENY are correct that certain neighborhoods have a history of issues with minorities.

Posted by: jwald at October 31, 2008 2:37 PM

I'm enjoying the continuing profiling of "certain neighborhoods". Certainly will keep it in mind!

Hypocrisy, anyone?

Posted by: benson at October 31, 2008 2:56 PM

I have a nice little story about a racist.

I was just talking to this guy, originally from Queens but living upstate for the past 30 years. I mentioned that I was helping with the campaign and he said "I hope you mean for Obama." I was like "Duh, of course!" So he sez "Let me tell you something. I've never voted before in my life. But I'm so excited to vote for this guy. My friends say 'But you're racist' and I'm like 'Yeah, but I just love this guy and I trust him to do the right thing for our country." He even sports an Obama cap and wants to volunteer.

So, even racists love Obama!

Posted by: rh at October 31, 2008 4:31 PM

I would like to know the certain neighborhoods where there is no issue with race or minoroties. Where can I find that zip code?

Posted by: sam at October 31, 2008 4:33 PM

waste of money - blue and red.

Posted by: BrooklynLove at October 31, 2008 6:58 PM

Hmmmm...maybe all those recent immigrants in Bensonhurst, from Russia, China and Eastern Europe are donating heavily to McCain because of their first hand experience with socialism.

Posted by: pjsubway at November 1, 2008 8:06 AM

pjsubway,
The last thing expatriates from a communist country do is bring attention to themselves by donating to a political process. They don't get involved in the political process and like to remain incognito (ie. don't do anything to be deported), maybe their next generation will. The descendants of immigrants are not choosing an anti-socialist candidate, they want the best candidate for them and their country (USA). Many immigrants come to the US for better opportunity, not necessarily because they disagree with their former country's type of government.

Posted by: Eigth ave at November 1, 2008 12:00 PM

pjsubway is right,
I've spoken to many Russian and Eastern European immigrants. Most are educated professionals. They are dead set against big government and socialism-lite. Many can't believe how easy the average person has it here in the US. let's face it, we have become a nation of whiners. I have read research where it states that the average poor american is receiving something close to $30,000 worth of entitlements, taking into account housing subsidies, food programs, free public schooling and free medical coverage. this is not a misprint. 30 thousand. I suspect the research is right.
And yet we cry and cry about "poverty" in the US. Let's face it, everyone won't be happy until they are given a one millon dollar check with an Obama logo printed on it in goldleaf.
Even then, half of Americans would be bankrupt by the end of a year. Again, not kidding.
So here we go again, if you belive the polls. We will have another few years of entitlements galore until the pendulum swings back the other way. When will people understand that hard work and self sufficiency are the true route to individual freedom and self respect. You cannot mandate success and happiness, no matter how hard you try. And before the knee jerkers and the bleeding hearts go on about the historical inequities, I've heard it all. The entire history of mankind is the story of one group subjugating another, sad but true, and even sadder to look at the future through a prism of recompense.
I also object to the overall tone of this thread, as if the zip codes favoring McCain somehow have some apologizing to do for their political beliefs. Let me be the first one to tell you . I will be voting for McCain. I already posted my reasons last Thursday or Friday on that thread with the Obama poster headlining. My reasons are well thought out and truthful. It is not at all about race, I'm not even white or black, and you two groups should get over it already. because the majority of the planet is neither.

Posted by: Legion at November 1, 2008 5:11 PM

i'm voting for balanced government. both candidates are horrendous but it's going to be one of them at this point. scary to me how people can be so manipulated and get so passionate about a person when they know and understand so little.

Posted by: BrooklynLove at November 2, 2008 10:22 PM

MGP;

Your ignorance is astounding. Have you actually been to Bensonhurst in the past 20 years? It is now one of the more mixed areas in the city, due to an influx of Chinese, Russian and Hispanic immigrants. In addition, the adjacent Marlboro project is almost 100% Afican-American. Hey, but don't let the facts stop you from disparaging people who don't agree with your politics.

Posted by: benson at October 31, 2008 12:46 PM
-------------------------------

So having newly arrived immigrants (who typically don't donate), and the erection of city projects means Bensonhurst is now multicultural?

That takes away all of the problems that have occurred with race relations in Bensonhurst through the years?

If you say so. :)

Posted by: MGP at November 6, 2008 2:03 AM

I could see that BRG...my only real issue was MGP's original use of the term It rang of, well, racism!!! He/she hasn't been back to defend it either.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 31, 2008 1:22 PM
------------------------

It really just took a while since I was busy getting Barack Obama elected.

That said, you cannot deny the historical implications of race relations in Bensonhurst anymore than you can deny the implications as it existed, and continues to exist (though far less), in Crown Heights.

Whereas I've seen the improvement in race relations Crown Heights, I've yet to see any kind of improvement in Bensonhurst. I know people that live there and have family there. While the younger generation is certainly far more open, the older generation, which is by and large what Bensonhurst's population still is right now, are not.

So if you want me to say racism, fine. Happy?

Now that it's been said, I'm glad to see Barack Obama elected and ready to move this country in a new direction. Stating the facts about certain areas, however, is not a bad thing. It's merely that. Fact.

Posted by: MGP at November 6, 2008 2:11 AM

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