I agree that the local party can make some difference, but I don't think it can explain the shift that has taken place in Nassau.
But, probaly, enough to account for much of a few percentage points that distinguish Staten Island (where the party organization is intact) and Nassau.
Possible, but even before the local GOP collapse in Nassu, Staten island was more GOP friendly in National elections.
1988
Nassau
Bush 56.96%, Dukakis 42.22%
Staten Island
Bush 61.46%, Dukakis 37.95%
In 84 Nassau went to reagan by slightly under 24, Staten island by a little over 30.
In Nixon's 72 landsldie, he took Staten Island by almost double, what he took Nasau by (48-26).
1952 was the last time Nassau was more Republican than Staten Island in a Presidential election. So this isn't a new thing. It might just seem that way because of how strong to the Dems Nassau County is now on the National level (once you take out the 9/11 04 impact)
This seems like a very similar analogy to Northeast Philly as opposed to Montgomery and Bucks Counties. I think Smash has a point with regards to the percent of the Jewish populations having an effect being moreso in Montgomery and Bucks than NE Philly. I think the difference between NE Philly and Staten Island is NE Philly isn't as wealthy and has a higher Jewish population per capita than Staten Island. That's why we voted for Kerry. I did glance at some of the wards/divisions here and it seemed the ones that were both wealthier AND Catholic such as Fox Chase, Crestmont Farms, Lexington and Winchester Parks, and parts of Somerton went for Bush. More populist, working class Catholic neighborhoods such as Bridesburg and Mayfair went marginally for Kerry, but are represented in the State House by more economically liberal, socially conservative Republicans in John Perzel and John Taylor who are well liked locally. The wealthier Jewish areas such as Bustleton and parts of Somerton went for Kerry and most people I know there are very pro-choice. Besides abortion, I also think there's a bit of an "Archie Bunker" element in places like Staten Island and NE Philly. I also can see Smash's point on Catholics from the suburbs- they are more socially liberal than the city ones. They are more sexually permissive and there is a smaller "Archie Bunker" element in those areas, but at the same time I find some to be sickeningly liberal on issues such as Section 8 and the "Free Mumia" thing. There are socially moderate and liberal Catholics in NE Philly and I'm sure Staten Island. I think this may also be due to the average age being higher in NE Philly/Staten Island as opposed to Bucks/Montgomery and Nassau. Also to be considered is NE Philly has a large white cop population and from what I heard Staten Island does as well.
