Quote:
Originally Posted by FromSD
New York City is a fairly safe big city but crime stories get huge coverage in the tabloids in a way that helps Republicans use public safety as a wedge issue. Why this issue works better for the GOP in the New York area than it does in other regions with worse crime problems is unclear to me.
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This was likely a huge factor on Long Island. It isn't remotely based in reality, but much of the GOP surge was attributed to nonstop pre-election tabloid fodder re. crime.
Crime rates are dropping, among the lowest in the country, and have returned to their pre-pandemic rates. Crime rates actually plummeted in the second half of last year, so it should have been perfect timing for the election. But it doesn't matter. Perception matters, and the GOP has been brilliant at creating an alternate reality.
The NY Post, in particular, has been key at creating this bizarre reality. Any crime with a racial angle, any crime with an attractive female victim, or any crime from a repeat offender, will be headline news for weeks, and tied to elected Dems, no matter the circumstances. The people who only follow Fox, the local hate radio, and the Post, are brainwashed.
And the local Dem apparatus was comically incompetent. I mean, this is why we have George Santos in Congress. In one of the wealthiest, most educated districts in the country. What a mess.