Dems shoot themselves in head (again)

THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM of voters is powerful. I think we get it right more often than wrong (though Bush's reelection in 2004 was clearly an epic fail). But wisdom frequently goes out the window at the local level -- where the nutty interests of the few who vote tend to overpower the common sense of the non-voting many. New York's overwhelmingly Democratic District 9 (Anthony Weiner's old House seat) just elected a *Republican* to represent it in Congress. That hasn't happened since the 1920s. They call it an election. I call it ritual seppuku, American-style. It gets better. Not only did these "wise" voters reject State Assemblyman Mark Weprin, 55, a smart Democrat with two decades of public service, they elected a geezer named Bob Turner, a 70-year-old ex-cable guy with zero experience in elective office. Turner is a retired cable TV executive. Among his proud accomplishments: He oversaw hit television programs like ... The Jerry Springer Show. Getting goosebumps yet? NY-09 is noted for its large population of pro-Israel, Orthodox Jewish voters. Turner is a Roman Catholic. So, to sum up, the people of NY-09 just voted in a Republican political novice who will be frequently rolled obliged to vote against their interests. Put another way, he's roadkill for GOP House Speaker Boehner. Sweet. The political media, in its own infinite wisdom, are breathlessly calling the race a rebuke to President Obama. That's an exaggeration shaped to fit a simple-minded narrative. Sadly, this is mainly a case of sheer stupidity on the part of irrational voters in NY-09. Nice going folks. Happy now? The House GOP is certainly grateful.