Turner vs Weiner: How do they compare

Anthony Weiner and Bob Turner are the political odd couple - and polar opposites in personality, too.

Weiner lost his congressional gig representing Brooklyn and Queens in disgrace amid a sexting scandal - and Republican Bob Turner won the seat last week in a special election by letting his rival implode on the campaign trail.

Voters in the 9th Congressional District better buckle up for a major change in their representative's cult of personality.

Weiner was a lithe, liberal lightning bolt, full of passion and arrogance - and never shy about seeking out a TV camera to denounce what he saw as the latest Republican scheme.

Turner is a soft-spoken and mild-mannered grandfather, a 70-year-old conservative businessman whose tenure in the House of Representatives may be short-lived.

"Weiner was one of the most visible members of Congress even before the scandal," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political science professor. "In Washington, visibility equals influence. Will Turner have that?"

Weiner carved out a niche as a firebrand and over the years emerged as one of the Democratic Party's leading - and loudest - voices. He was a natural on television, becoming a popular guest on left-leaning shows hosted by the likes of Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann, and some of his impassioned speeches on the House floor - including his defense of the Zadroga bill - became YouTube hits.

"He was the Democrats' attack dog du jour and was very effective in that role because he combined substance with antics," said political pundit Bob Liff.

Turner also knows his way around a television set, but in a behind-the-scenes role.

A former cable executive, he helped steer giant personalities - including Jerry Springer and Rush Limbaugh - to the small screen, but his own charisma doesn't light up a room. Turner's admirers say he projects a fatherly competence and a steady hand, and he's someone who will work hard without generating much controversy.

Pundits suspect Turner's voice won't carry as far as Weiner's for reasons outside his control.

Weiner's 12 years of seniority did not translate into many legislative accomplishments - none of the bills he authored became law - but they did lend a gravitas to his impassioned defense of President Obama's health care plan.

Turner, however, is the rookie who may be destined for a quiet seat on the back bench - and he may not even be able to stay there long. Many political observers believe his seat will be cut as part of a census-mandated redistricting.

"So what if he's 'congressman' 14 or 15 months?" quipped Sabato. "He'll always be called 'Congressman'; it's a great club. Considering how he won this special election, he'll always be a hero in GOP circles."

There is a chance that the unique circumstances surrounding his election could pay big dividends for residents of his district.

"He comes in loved by the party in power, and if he will be in another election, the GOP has incentive to prop him up and help him get things passed," said Liff. "That may produce results."

jlemire@nydailynews.com