Why did Staten Island swing back to the Republicans?

[bluestateguy]

I know that Staten Island has a long history of voting Republican, but after the 2000 election I was starting to think that maybe that was turning around. In 1996 Clinton won Staten Island 51%-41% over Dole; Gore won there in 2000 52%-45% over Bush. But in 2004 Bush won Staten Island by a margin of 56%-43% over Kerry. One of the biggest county vote swings in the country. I remember hearing once that Staten Island is home to many NYPD and FDNY members and their families. Could it be that there was a substantial 9/11 effect that worked to Bush's benefit in Staten Island? Can Democrats reverse these gains, or do you think they are permanent?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Staten Island isn't really part of New York City.

[Gloria]

2. Susan Molinari danced naked down Victory Blvd??????

eom

(Her father, Guy, was a biggie from SI years ago....)

[BrklynLiberal]

3. SI was bigtime Nazi sympathizer hangout in WWII. Had BUND meetings.

Maybe they feel safe coming out of the walls now.