NEW YORK, NY August 29, 2008 —Democrats are so dominant in New York that the McCain campaign doesn't have headquarters here. Still, McCain's chairman in New York is optimistic about swaying Democrats to vote Republican.

WNYC's Fred Mogul has more.

Not long ago, the governor and New York City mayor were Republicans. Now, Republicans are within a few seats of losing the state Senate.

But despite the shifting tide, Edward Cox is as relentlessly upbeat as you'd expect the state McCain chairman to be. He believes John McCain is a good choice for New Yorkers who are not pleased with Barack Obama.

COX: There are many Democrats who are coming over to support John McCain -- the people who had been supporting Sen. Clinton.

REPORTER: Cox argues New Yorkers have a particular appreciation for a security-oriented candidate, with an emphasis on foreign affairs, given the experience of Sept. 11 and the international inclinations of the local population.

In the most recent. In the most recent Siena poll, from mid-August, Obama led McCain 47-to-39. But that, of course, was before the conventions.

For WNYC, I'm Fred Mogul.