As I've said many times, Mamdani's politics may not "play in Peoria" but his approach to campaigning, and his sunny, charismatic personality will play everywhere. The Democrats need to find more like that.
And Mario Cuomo, whom I remember for his uplifting rhetoric, must be rolling over in his grave at the behavior and hate speech of his sleazebag son.
That Mamdani, an inexperienced, albeit enormously charismatic candidate willing to promise all kinds of things (and I believe he believes he can make them happen--but good luck with that), was the best on offer (and he probably was) speaks volumes about the terrible state of politics in NYC.
That he is being hailed everywhere as a hero speaks volumes about our lack of understanding about how governing actually works.
This is not primarily dissing Mamdani--I think he's genuine in what he wants to do (setting aside his position on Jews/Israel--and yes, they are in the same bucket, even if he and many don't understand that)--but speaking to the structural political issues that enabled him to get to this point with so little experience.
I am definitely impressed by everything I've read about him. Now, I hope he can live up to all those pre-election laurels and I hope he shove a lot of his goodwill into Schumer's face.
Chuck Schumer is showing us that he can't put aside his personal issues to support worthy Democrats. How are we to remain united if the leadership at the top won't suck it up and do it?
Remember how Joe Biden put his Catholic faith second to his oath to uphold our law allowing abortion choice? That was a big damn deal. Schumer let a few isolated soundbites color his entire impression of a man that the majority of New Yorkers approved of. Or maybe he was just a Cuomo guy all along. Glad you brought that up!
You are so right. I have been preaching against Schumer and Jeffries as Democratic "leaders" forever. Jeffries looks especially pale as he is supposed to follow in the great Nancy Pelosi's footsteps. Schumer has just never been "leadership" material. Why are they all from New York? Is there not great leadership potential in the rest of the country?
With you on both of those guys. Weak. Not representative of the whole as leaders must be. What I loved about the NY election was that it felt like turning a page. We ARE sick of the gerontocracy, and I'm in my 60s! We want new ideas and styles. I remember when dear Obama was elected and I realized he was my same age (well, we were both "young" then!). That had never happened before. I know young people want to enjoy that too.
Agreed. I'm 76 and I want younger people as politicians and as leaders. I love Ben Wikler and would have loved to see him as the DNC chair. They guy they did elect is another tired old man, even though he's just 52. Where do they find these guys?
We don't need a "rock star" to lead NYC. Hopefully he will be able to execute policies as well as tout them. No company would hire an inexperienced 34 year old to lead 300,000 employees.
A smart company would hire someone like Mamdami. He is extremely intelligent, understands what NYC needs, has great ideas about how to make NYC a better and more livable place for residents, and managed to build a terrific, winning campaign out of nothing. I think he will be fantastic for NYC.
As I've said many times, Mamdani's politics may not "play in Peoria" but his approach to campaigning, and his sunny, charismatic personality will play everywhere. The Democrats need to find more like that.
And Mario Cuomo, whom I remember for his uplifting rhetoric, must be rolling over in his grave at the behavior and hate speech of his sleazebag son.
That Mamdani, an inexperienced, albeit enormously charismatic candidate willing to promise all kinds of things (and I believe he believes he can make them happen--but good luck with that), was the best on offer (and he probably was) speaks volumes about the terrible state of politics in NYC.
That he is being hailed everywhere as a hero speaks volumes about our lack of understanding about how governing actually works.
This is not primarily dissing Mamdani--I think he's genuine in what he wants to do (setting aside his position on Jews/Israel--and yes, they are in the same bucket, even if he and many don't understand that)--but speaking to the structural political issues that enabled him to get to this point with so little experience.
I am definitely impressed by everything I've read about him. Now, I hope he can live up to all those pre-election laurels and I hope he shove a lot of his goodwill into Schumer's face.
Chuck Schumer is showing us that he can't put aside his personal issues to support worthy Democrats. How are we to remain united if the leadership at the top won't suck it up and do it?
Remember how Joe Biden put his Catholic faith second to his oath to uphold our law allowing abortion choice? That was a big damn deal. Schumer let a few isolated soundbites color his entire impression of a man that the majority of New Yorkers approved of. Or maybe he was just a Cuomo guy all along. Glad you brought that up!
You are so right. I have been preaching against Schumer and Jeffries as Democratic "leaders" forever. Jeffries looks especially pale as he is supposed to follow in the great Nancy Pelosi's footsteps. Schumer has just never been "leadership" material. Why are they all from New York? Is there not great leadership potential in the rest of the country?
With you on both of those guys. Weak. Not representative of the whole as leaders must be. What I loved about the NY election was that it felt like turning a page. We ARE sick of the gerontocracy, and I'm in my 60s! We want new ideas and styles. I remember when dear Obama was elected and I realized he was my same age (well, we were both "young" then!). That had never happened before. I know young people want to enjoy that too.
Agreed. I'm 76 and I want younger people as politicians and as leaders. I love Ben Wikler and would have loved to see him as the DNC chair. They guy they did elect is another tired old man, even though he's just 52. Where do they find these guys?
We don't need a "rock star" to lead NYC. Hopefully he will be able to execute policies as well as tout them. No company would hire an inexperienced 34 year old to lead 300,000 employees.
A smart company would hire someone like Mamdami. He is extremely intelligent, understands what NYC needs, has great ideas about how to make NYC a better and more livable place for residents, and managed to build a terrific, winning campaign out of nothing. I think he will be fantastic for NYC.