Sergey Kadinsky

Written Works

Local Gamblers Do Not Bet on Elections

This feature piece was published in the Queens Courier on Nov. 4, 2008

The Off Track Betting parlor on Maspeth's Grand Avenue feels like an extension of the senior center next door. Most of its patrons are white, elderly and have the time and funds to spare on gambling.

However, when it comes to the election: they are not taking bets. Most of the patrons on a recent afternoon appeared to be leaning toward John McCain for president. The reason: concern over Barack Obama's lack of experience and an apparent fear for what an Obama presidency might bring.

The group's political leanings are not that surprising. Unlike most Queens neighborhoods, Maspeth has a longstanding Republican presence, most prominently represented by Serphin Maltese in the state senate and Anthony Como in the city council.

"I've been a registered conservative," said John Braut, 70, as he filled out a ticket. "The last time I voted for a Democrat was for John F. Kennedy," Braut said McCain's political experience solidified his support. "He's been around a long time, you can tell," Braut said. "Obama's a young guy."

Retired restaurateur John Patrick Lynch, 71, also expressed opposition to Obama. "Democrats are socialists," said Lynch. An avid horse gambler and sports fan, Lynch usually avoids discussing politics, but he defended McCain on his age. "He's only half a year older than me," said Lynch.

Patron Vincent DeChirico, 79, was more worried about the economy than John McCain's age or Obama's youth. The new president's first priority is to "create more jobs," said DeChirico. A veteran of the Korean War, DeChirico admired McCain's military experience, but supportive of Obama, following a longtime commitment to voting Democratic.

In the OTB parlor, DeChirico was in the minority, with most of the other bettors leaning toward McCain.

Local races seemed more of a concern to this group of horse bettors. Retired painter Benjamin Zawrotny, 63 lives in Middle Village, the home base for incumbent Councilmember Como, and Zawrotny is ready to offer up his support. "He's a gentleman, his personality is good, he's a Middle Village man," said Zawrotny, a Vietnam veteran.

Most of the patrons appeared to be cut from the same cloth, but their answers revealed choices that defied stereotypes. Retired firefighter George Coaken, 80, wearing an NRA hat described his presidential pick as an easy one. "I made my choice a long time ago, his name begins with an O," said Coaken. A veteran who served at the end of the Second World War, Coaken once admired McCain's policies.

"Four years ago, John McCain was very good against Bush," said Coaken. who has been betting on horses for 20 years. "Then he joined him. He capitulated to George Bush." As a result, Coaken predicted an election defeat for McCain.

Was anyone in the parlor willing to put money on his hunch?

"I only bet on horses," said Braut