Ask not if Zohran Mamdani is good for the democrats, ask instead if he’s good for New York City and its citizens and for the people of the rest of the country. I’m from California and Mamdani is good for me and my mental health! May he prosper and may his ideas spark a new positivity and hope and be replicated all across the USA.
I agree with everything you said. I grew up in Brooklyn and know first hand the welcoming diversity that makes NYC such a great place. The people deserve a positive, forward thinking mayor who I think will be Mamdani.
Um actually Eric, he didn't start any war. He ordered one bombing mission which was critically important. Haven't we dropped this "WORLD WAR THREEEEE!" insanity already?
Mamdani has been supporting Arab terrorists for years. It was as a reaction to commies like him that got Trump reelected, and the inspiration of terrorists by him and his friends that started the war in Gaza.
Maybe you should do some double checking. Maybe free yourself from the propaganda networks. This world is a much better place than you are being led to believe, Eric.
Sir, are you saying that if I approve of Zohran Mamdani then that means I hate jews? That’s faulty deduction. I don’t hate or even dislike any group, nationality or tribe. Just certain individuals who do.
Maybe you should do some double-checking. Maybe free yourself from the propaganda networks. This world is a much better place than you are being led to believe, Sue.
He wants all Jews in the Middle East to have their lives destroyed, so yeah.
Yes!! This is the angle the Dems need to pursue.... Redefining socialism with younger and more passionate candidates and a new beautiful vision! I think this country is ready.
Absolutely agree. There are different types and we are definitely going for the Democratic model. I did specify in my article, but should've specified in the comment! Thanks for clarifying.
I love your article. I try to tell people who lump socialism in with democratic socialism that there's an important difference and your article explains this so well. Great resource.
I don't think anyone is calling for a communist government. Maybe democratic socialism is something you are not familiar with? It puts people's needs first and that is why democratic socialist countries are doing so much better than the US. I don't know why people are afraid of meeting people's needs before handing out corporate welfare.
yeah, many are in that campaign. Not All, maybe even not most at this point, but he core of the campaign, those who praised the murder of those two Israelis in Washington and still want to defund the police. They do.
Mamdani cannot do so at the moment as he knows that it would destroy him.
I'd take straight up Marxism over Oligarchy, if that was the choice. But no, that isn't what people are pushing for. Democratic Socialism - i.e., benefits for the people like schools, libraries, the arts, firefighters, etc.... THAT'S what we need to increase, not stop.
I'm sorry to hear that but I believe MAGA is toxic along with the whole orange king's regime. I believe in democracy and capitalism but neither one has been fully achieved here. Democratic socialism embraces both without the corporate welfare.
Socialists believe in higher taxes on the wealthy to support social safety nets. Communists believe property should be owned by the state. He’s a democratic socialist.
“Communism is a political and economic system that seeks to create a classless society in which the major means of production, such as mines and factories, are owned and controlled by the public. There is no government or private property or currency, and the wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need” From Encyclopedia Britannica.
Yes. And Democracy is also not what it is supposed to be because the economic system of Capitalism, as it exists today, doesn’t honor or even recognize democracy as it’s foundation.
My concern is not with Mamdani, but with how the MAGAverse will use him to tear us all down. Our party continues to lack a strong, solid, and consolidated messaging platform(s). Until that’s resolved, I remain worried.
Even before maga this is what helped the GOP gain momentum in my state. As an old political pro told me, when voters have a choice between Coke and Coke lite they choose the real thing. These days voters are looking for change because their circumstances are changing for the worse.
The Dems stand for everything & nothing as a party. Not a winning theme. They need to articulate 3-4 core principles and let candidates run on them as based on their own voters.
I never said that. I said the MAGAverse will use his ethnicity and age, while corrupting his policies, to divide, and that until we have an effective messaging machine (like they do), they will continue to come out ahead.
You said they'd use Mamdani to "tear us all down." Us ALL. That sounds pretty final to me.
The point being that there can't be any hesitation on the Dems' part to back young, progressive leaders with innovative ideas. It's up to the DNC to get a grip, do a serious reality check, and get into the 21st century. For once, support somebody who isn't an Establishment candidate.
Correct! The Democratic administration failed to pursue Trump's criminal prosecutions to completion, failed to enforce the constitutional provision disqualifying Trump from further government office, & failed to investigate & audit suspicious election results manipulated to give Trump the presidency, all due to fear of MAGA, & look what it got us!
I hope that the magaverse will suffer rejection of their labels. Just as trump voters rejected labels put on them. Mamdani may show Dems fears of being too this or that have kept them frozen in place.
Fear of socialists surfaced during Bernie’s primary run. It is older than Social Security. It is the label DeSantis won on & the bricks of the GOP kingdom of Florida. He has infused it into FL school curriculums. Playing on the fears of Latinos, particularly 1st generation. As younger voters enter the voting booth and families feel economic pressure, it fades.
Mamdani won over a good size portion of voters who had supported trump. I’m hoping Dems will decide to harness the things he did - including messaging - beginning with listening to what votes want instead of the divisive tactics such as labeling & lecturing. AOC surveyed trump voters after she won to see why they switched to her. I saw a Mamdani interview where he described doing it before he ran.
I agree about the Dems' lack of cohesion and on-point messaging, Lynn. But exactly how are the MAGAs going to use him against Dems, especially if he's elected and his administration is a smashing success? Refusing to run candidates with great ideas because....MAGAs....is a self-defeating strategy.
I never said refuse to run him. I said the MAGAverse’s messaging machine, which went into a collective overdrive the next day, is a force that we as yet have figured out how to match and surpass. It’s not just Mamdani, but my gosh look at their shared and united hysteria already. We have a long way to go to compete in that arena.
The Dems do have a long way to go to compete. So what? The Dem messaging machine has been broken for decades. It's long past time they fixed it. Mamdani obviously has some thoughts on those fixes.
Worrying about MAGA propaganda misses the point. If their reaction to his primary win was this frantic, then Mamdani is doing something right, and it's up to the DNC to catch up. If they can't do that, then they're a failed party.
MAGA’s reaction is frantic because the plain truth intimidates them. Their lies are exposed by the contrast because people know truth when they hear it. An example of that is listening to Bernie Sanders speak with all his conviction. If the DNC’s reaction is also frantic I believe it’s on account of Mamdani’s ethnicity and his clear eyed vision and their fear of the word Socialism.
I think magaverse is worried. They know their voters are less and less pleased with trump policies. They are losing voters in key demographics where they gained votes. In the battle between a socialist bogeyman versus cost of daily life (or quality of life) bogeyman is losing ground.
The Dems have let too many advisors tied to corporations drive their “play it safe” campaign messages. They muted Harris on Housing, taxation & did not go on offense against the commie / socialist messages. Did not have outreach to trump voters or the usual support for outreach to minority voters and played down the importance of old allies like unions (who bring their own $$ and volunteers).
I also think knowing what’s coming is half the battle. The Dems need to articulate 2-3 core principles, keep them in the forefront (as do voters with more empty chair town halls & protests) while letting state and local candidates run on the principles as relevant to their voters.
Agreed, and I’d also like to see the Dems coordinate their messaging. The MAGAverse has it figured out and it’s easy to see - they get talking points that their twitter accounts and conservative media then spew out nearly word for word, which is then lapped up and repeated until they believe the BS themselves … and repeat the next day with the new hysterical talking points. It’s so clear to see the repetition across multiple platforms, yet MAGA is too dumb to think. They only follow their cult leader.
The strong solid messaging is fighting against fascist authoritarian dictatorship take over
Defending our constitution
Our country
Our democracy
Three equal branches of government
All of our freedoms and rights
Everything in the declaration of independence
Absolute separation of church and state
Justice and equality for all
We are in the darkest moment in the history of our country .
The Fourth of July is next week
We are no longer home of the free
We are no longer a country that helps others
The Maga people fly their flags upside down because they think they’re not free if they can’t be bigoted, racist, misogynistic, lacking of humanity, empathy compassion
They feel they’re not free if they cannot have military style weapons, and refuse reasonable gun control
They feel they’re not free if they can’t be vulgar indecent immoral
Not civil
They fly their flags upside down, claiming our country is in crisis !!!
Crisis for following the constitution defending our democracy in our country as our founding fathers intended it to be !
Maybe we all that are defending our constitution trying to save our democracy, our rights, our freedoms, our freedom of speech, pushing back against all of this brutality, inhumanity corruption
Maybe all of us should fly our flags upside down on the Fourth of July to denote the deep crisis in the darkest point ever in the history of our nation
I am so tired of the Democratic Party thinking they need to be centrist, when in fact I suspect a huge share of us are progressive and want more progressivism and an end to the old fossils (bless their hearts) who have dominated the party with their corporate sponsors and outworn 20th century political strategies. And I believe that younger voters who are not Maga are likely far more progressive than even us older progressive folk. Yes the other side will call us socialist and communist but I’d rather be referred to as a socialist than a Nazi.
I'm ready for more progressive, inclusive messaging. We need to not get caught up in r narrowing messages to bathrooms and sports. Food, healthcare, economics, homes are things we all understand. I'm in my 70s, in Washington state.
Amen to that! I'm a 66 year old WA state Bernie fan. Not too hard to see that progressive ideas here are mainstream in democratic socialist countries who are functioning so much better than the US. Love to see young and old pushing for more of this and less corporate welfare.
I am also in my 70s. It should be less of a generational issue a more of a getting the party on track. The DNC can start as you say, by have 2-3 core principles under a universal theme that people literally hunger for.
This guy went with “quality of life” or “affordable life”. Then had a few examples as his goals. They were drawn from voters - not ‘play it safe’ advisors who go back to their real clients after elections (corporations).
He talked to people before he ran instead of labeling & lecturing. That’s how he got 30% of the primary election districts trump won in the 2024. Now that voters think he can win, he’s picked up more endorsements. 2 of the big ones are from unions who supported Adams when he first ran, then switched to Cuomo and now endorse Zohran — after Adams asked them to hold off endorsing. Those unions are credited with getting Adams into the Mayor’s Office & are predominantly minorities working in hotels, casinos, and “building workers”. A 3rd endorsement came from the NY State Nurses Assoc.
The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC) represents hotel & casino workers in NY and northern part of NJ. Most live in NYC.
An SEIU local that represents “building workers” which has about 2x the membership of HTC.
Regardless, they endorse in mayoral elections, work to GOTV for endorsed candidates & donate from their political funds. The HTC gave $1M to Cuomo in the primary.
Mamdani is the future, says this 80 year old! He brings a boldness and a focus on issues that directly and immediately impact his constituents. What a breath of fresh air the Democratic party so sorely needs.
New York City residents can sometimes fall for the media hype, which is how Eric Adams and George Santos each got elected. (And yes, I know that Santos is Republican, but he had to get Democratic votes to win.) I tend to be suspicious of charisma, and I wish more people were. What I see with Mandami, however, is that he focused on issues that matter in the lives of people in NYC. If he can solve the housing issue, and that one is huge, and provide free busses, which will let people get to work, school, etc., he will have done a lot. I'm skeptical that he can pull off childcare, so I will follow his efforts with interest, if he is indeed elected mayor. What Democrats need to learn from him is that if you speak to people about the needs in their lives, do so authentically, and offer solutions that help them, the people will turn out and vote for you. Here in Indiana, and the rural area in which I live, I'm waiting for the Democratic party to focus on health care and on why so much of the county has income below the poverty line. After the disaster of the last supermajority Republican legislature and governor, plenty of kitchen table issues need addressing at the local, state, and federal level.
Perhaps Mamdami’s candidacy will result in the rebirth of the progressive movement of the early 1900s. Let’s hope the DNC gets on board. This country cannot continue to exist with two conservative parties!
I’m thrilled that Mamdani won the primary! I’m not a New Yorker currently, but I have been, so I wasn’t able to vote for him. What a breath of fresh air! The national Democratic Party should take notice and get the ancients in Congress to retire (looking at you, Chuck). We Dems need to get smart so a younger generation of Dems can move up in the party.
Start now, because it’ll take years for the eventual candidates for high office to come to national prominence!
We definitely need younger candidates and members of legislative bodies. Remember when JFK was 40ish and toured as a younger, newer generation than old, tired Eisenhower? Nixon was old even then.
What we’re doing as a country is failing miserably and harming millions. It’s long past time for another approach and it just could be Mamdani’s. If we don’t make some radical changes now, it will be too late. He is a breath of fresh air!
So what exactly is the "centrist, moderate thinking" that Mamdani and "his progressive ideas" are said (by some) to have abandoned? It seems to be a mindset that wants to ignore the unacknowledged fourth branch of government: the economic power that since at least the Reagan administration has been eating the other three branches alive. Corporate interests and their political supporters have worked hard since late 19th century to make "socialism" a dirty word, to the extent that even most New Dealers claimed that "socialism" had nothing to do with it (of course they got called socialists anyway).
Notice how "corporate interests" crash the economy almost every time they get into power? Even when they don't, they're busily hamstringing the democratic process to ensure all those "takers" who value government services don't cut into corporate profits. Their endgame is now before us, and it's terrible. Whether our aspiring democracy will survive remains open to question, but I'm 100% sure that it won't be saved by "centrist, moderate thinking."
If Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, advocating for policies that prioritize social and economic justice. If he believes in a society where everyone has access to healthcare, education, and a living wage. If his key values include expanding social programs, regulating the financial industry, and addressing climate change, than this Californian is all in. Clearly what the current Democratic Party is "selling" the American people are not "buying".
From what I understand, Mamdani won his primary by using the AOC playbook. Just getting out there and actually talking to real people. And working his butt off. There's no substitute for personal contact. It is often more important than ideology. His relative youth and the real energy he displayed in his campaign were also appealing.
Mamdani is a breath of fresh air in a system long in need of change. We need far more leaders in this country who are not tethered to the whims and wants of the wealthiest few. We, the working class people of this country, deserve leadership that is sincerely, strongly, enthusiastically fighting for us each and every day. Onward!
Campaign promises define the agenda, not necessarily the outcome. No matter where our policy objectives begin, opposition will always try to clip them back. So we need to aim high! We need the optimism, creativity and energy of youth in our party. I’m thrilled to see Mamdani’s success. He’s more qualified to be mayor than Trump is to be President.
Ask not if Zohran Mamdani is good for the democrats, ask instead if he’s good for New York City and its citizens and for the people of the rest of the country. I’m from California and Mamdani is good for me and my mental health! May he prosper and may his ideas spark a new positivity and hope and be replicated all across the USA.
I agree with everything you said. I grew up in Brooklyn and know first hand the welcoming diversity that makes NYC such a great place. The people deserve a positive, forward thinking mayor who I think will be Mamdani.
Same here in Washington state!
Amen
He's terrible for New York City. He and his ideas are toxic. It's those like him who got Trump elected twice and started a war in the Middle East.
Um actually Eric, he didn't start any war. He ordered one bombing mission which was critically important. Haven't we dropped this "WORLD WAR THREEEEE!" insanity already?
Mamdani has been supporting Arab terrorists for years. It was as a reaction to commies like him that got Trump reelected, and the inspiration of terrorists by him and his friends that started the war in Gaza.
Maybe you should do some double checking. Maybe free yourself from the propaganda networks. This world is a much better place than you are being led to believe, Eric.
I HAVE! That's why I said what I said.
Hello handsome
Don’t be silly.
Disgusting! I see you're also a Jew hater.
Sir, are you saying that if I approve of Zohran Mamdani then that means I hate jews? That’s faulty deduction. I don’t hate or even dislike any group, nationality or tribe. Just certain individuals who do.
Maybe you should do some double-checking. Maybe free yourself from the propaganda networks. This world is a much better place than you are being led to believe, Sue.
He wants all Jews in the Middle East to have their lives destroyed, so yeah.
Huh
Yes!! This is the angle the Dems need to pursue.... Redefining socialism with younger and more passionate candidates and a new beautiful vision! I think this country is ready.
https://open.substack.com/pub/stephaniechurch44/p/trump-labels-zohran-mamdani-a-communist?r=4naqww&utm_medium=ios
Democratic socialism, not socialism. There's an important difference.
Absolutely agree. There are different types and we are definitely going for the Democratic model. I did specify in my article, but should've specified in the comment! Thanks for clarifying.
I love your article. I try to tell people who lump socialism in with democratic socialism that there's an important difference and your article explains this so well. Great resource.
The so-called "Democratic Socialists" in New York are all Marxist-Leninists.
I don't think anyone is calling for a communist government. Maybe democratic socialism is something you are not familiar with? It puts people's needs first and that is why democratic socialist countries are doing so much better than the US. I don't know why people are afraid of meeting people's needs before handing out corporate welfare.
yeah, many are in that campaign. Not All, maybe even not most at this point, but he core of the campaign, those who praised the murder of those two Israelis in Washington and still want to defund the police. They do.
Mamdani cannot do so at the moment as he knows that it would destroy him.
Well, I sure hope that doesn't happen. He still has to win the general election. So we'll see how it turns out.
I'd take straight up Marxism over Oligarchy, if that was the choice. But no, that isn't what people are pushing for. Democratic Socialism - i.e., benefits for the people like schools, libraries, the arts, firefighters, etc.... THAT'S what we need to increase, not stop.
Because that's what they told me. I've been around a long time. The whole group is toxic.
I'm sorry to hear that but I believe MAGA is toxic along with the whole orange king's regime. I believe in democracy and capitalism but neither one has been fully achieved here. Democratic socialism embraces both without the corporate welfare.
What makes you think I DON'T think MAGA is toxic? I believe in "horseshoe theory." The far left and far right are mirror images of each other.
Zohran is the future! Democrats need more diversity and socialism. I wrote a poem celebrating his victory: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayor-poem
He is not a socialist, he's a communist. I've read his campaign literature. He's also an antisemite.
Socialists believe in higher taxes on the wealthy to support social safety nets. Communists believe property should be owned by the state. He’s a democratic socialist.
“Communism is a political and economic system that seeks to create a classless society in which the major means of production, such as mines and factories, are owned and controlled by the public. There is no government or private property or currency, and the wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need” From Encyclopedia Britannica.
More precise. The problem is in reality communist society still isn’t classless. There are still haves and have nots.
Yes. And Democracy is also not what it is supposed to be because the economic system of Capitalism, as it exists today, doesn’t honor or even recognize democracy as it’s foundation.
My concern is not with Mamdani, but with how the MAGAverse will use him to tear us all down. Our party continues to lack a strong, solid, and consolidated messaging platform(s). Until that’s resolved, I remain worried.
Fair point.
So we don’t elect people that help us because we are scared of MAGA?
This kind of thinking is how we lose.
Yep. Because Dems make the same mistakes over and over.
Even before maga this is what helped the GOP gain momentum in my state. As an old political pro told me, when voters have a choice between Coke and Coke lite they choose the real thing. These days voters are looking for change because their circumstances are changing for the worse.
The Dems stand for everything & nothing as a party. Not a winning theme. They need to articulate 3-4 core principles and let candidates run on them as based on their own voters.
I never said that. I said the MAGAverse will use his ethnicity and age, while corrupting his policies, to divide, and that until we have an effective messaging machine (like they do), they will continue to come out ahead.
You said they'd use Mamdani to "tear us all down." Us ALL. That sounds pretty final to me.
The point being that there can't be any hesitation on the Dems' part to back young, progressive leaders with innovative ideas. It's up to the DNC to get a grip, do a serious reality check, and get into the 21st century. For once, support somebody who isn't an Establishment candidate.
We agree! We’re on the same side here.
My apologies.
Correct! The Democratic administration failed to pursue Trump's criminal prosecutions to completion, failed to enforce the constitutional provision disqualifying Trump from further government office, & failed to investigate & audit suspicious election results manipulated to give Trump the presidency, all due to fear of MAGA, & look what it got us!
Yep - they failed us miserably!
I hope that the magaverse will suffer rejection of their labels. Just as trump voters rejected labels put on them. Mamdani may show Dems fears of being too this or that have kept them frozen in place.
Fear of socialists surfaced during Bernie’s primary run. It is older than Social Security. It is the label DeSantis won on & the bricks of the GOP kingdom of Florida. He has infused it into FL school curriculums. Playing on the fears of Latinos, particularly 1st generation. As younger voters enter the voting booth and families feel economic pressure, it fades.
Mamdani won over a good size portion of voters who had supported trump. I’m hoping Dems will decide to harness the things he did - including messaging - beginning with listening to what votes want instead of the divisive tactics such as labeling & lecturing. AOC surveyed trump voters after she won to see why they switched to her. I saw a Mamdani interview where he described doing it before he ran.
https://gothamist.com/news/how-voters-in-trump-districts-helped-mamdani-win-the-democratic-primary
I agree about the Dems' lack of cohesion and on-point messaging, Lynn. But exactly how are the MAGAs going to use him against Dems, especially if he's elected and his administration is a smashing success? Refusing to run candidates with great ideas because....MAGAs....is a self-defeating strategy.
I never said refuse to run him. I said the MAGAverse’s messaging machine, which went into a collective overdrive the next day, is a force that we as yet have figured out how to match and surpass. It’s not just Mamdani, but my gosh look at their shared and united hysteria already. We have a long way to go to compete in that arena.
The Dems do have a long way to go to compete. So what? The Dem messaging machine has been broken for decades. It's long past time they fixed it. Mamdani obviously has some thoughts on those fixes.
Worrying about MAGA propaganda misses the point. If their reaction to his primary win was this frantic, then Mamdani is doing something right, and it's up to the DNC to catch up. If they can't do that, then they're a failed party.
MAGA’s reaction is frantic because the plain truth intimidates them. Their lies are exposed by the contrast because people know truth when they hear it. An example of that is listening to Bernie Sanders speak with all his conviction. If the DNC’s reaction is also frantic I believe it’s on account of Mamdani’s ethnicity and his clear eyed vision and their fear of the word Socialism.
I agree, Susan. I'd add that the DNC is also frantic because they. don't. have. a. plan.
I think magaverse is worried. They know their voters are less and less pleased with trump policies. They are losing voters in key demographics where they gained votes. In the battle between a socialist bogeyman versus cost of daily life (or quality of life) bogeyman is losing ground.
The Dems have let too many advisors tied to corporations drive their “play it safe” campaign messages. They muted Harris on Housing, taxation & did not go on offense against the commie / socialist messages. Did not have outreach to trump voters or the usual support for outreach to minority voters and played down the importance of old allies like unions (who bring their own $$ and volunteers).
I also think knowing what’s coming is half the battle. The Dems need to articulate 2-3 core principles, keep them in the forefront (as do voters with more empty chair town halls & protests) while letting state and local candidates run on the principles as relevant to their voters.
Agreed, and I’d also like to see the Dems coordinate their messaging. The MAGAverse has it figured out and it’s easy to see - they get talking points that their twitter accounts and conservative media then spew out nearly word for word, which is then lapped up and repeated until they believe the BS themselves … and repeat the next day with the new hysterical talking points. It’s so clear to see the repetition across multiple platforms, yet MAGA is too dumb to think. They only follow their cult leader.
The strong solid messaging is fighting against fascist authoritarian dictatorship take over
Defending our constitution
Our country
Our democracy
Three equal branches of government
All of our freedoms and rights
Everything in the declaration of independence
Absolute separation of church and state
Justice and equality for all
We are in the darkest moment in the history of our country .
The Fourth of July is next week
We are no longer home of the free
We are no longer a country that helps others
The Maga people fly their flags upside down because they think they’re not free if they can’t be bigoted, racist, misogynistic, lacking of humanity, empathy compassion
They feel they’re not free if they cannot have military style weapons, and refuse reasonable gun control
They feel they’re not free if they can’t be vulgar indecent immoral
Not civil
They fly their flags upside down, claiming our country is in crisis !!!
Crisis for following the constitution defending our democracy in our country as our founding fathers intended it to be !
Maybe we all that are defending our constitution trying to save our democracy, our rights, our freedoms, our freedom of speech, pushing back against all of this brutality, inhumanity corruption
Maybe all of us should fly our flags upside down on the Fourth of July to denote the deep crisis in the darkest point ever in the history of our nation
I am so tired of the Democratic Party thinking they need to be centrist, when in fact I suspect a huge share of us are progressive and want more progressivism and an end to the old fossils (bless their hearts) who have dominated the party with their corporate sponsors and outworn 20th century political strategies. And I believe that younger voters who are not Maga are likely far more progressive than even us older progressive folk. Yes the other side will call us socialist and communist but I’d rather be referred to as a socialist than a Nazi.
I'm ready for more progressive, inclusive messaging. We need to not get caught up in r narrowing messages to bathrooms and sports. Food, healthcare, economics, homes are things we all understand. I'm in my 70s, in Washington state.
I agree. I’m 68. I think there’s a belief that us boomers all want centrism. Just not true.
Amen to that! I'm a 66 year old WA state Bernie fan. Not too hard to see that progressive ideas here are mainstream in democratic socialist countries who are functioning so much better than the US. Love to see young and old pushing for more of this and less corporate welfare.
I am also in my 70s. It should be less of a generational issue a more of a getting the party on track. The DNC can start as you say, by have 2-3 core principles under a universal theme that people literally hunger for.
This guy went with “quality of life” or “affordable life”. Then had a few examples as his goals. They were drawn from voters - not ‘play it safe’ advisors who go back to their real clients after elections (corporations).
He talked to people before he ran instead of labeling & lecturing. That’s how he got 30% of the primary election districts trump won in the 2024. Now that voters think he can win, he’s picked up more endorsements. 2 of the big ones are from unions who supported Adams when he first ran, then switched to Cuomo and now endorse Zohran — after Adams asked them to hold off endorsing. Those unions are credited with getting Adams into the Mayor’s Office & are predominantly minorities working in hotels, casinos, and “building workers”. A 3rd endorsement came from the NY State Nurses Assoc.
Good! Nurse's association is a great endorsement. I hope unions regain their power and work for the workers.
We have no casinos in new york city, okay, we have ONE. In Jamaica.
Okay. 1 in NYC, others out in the state.
The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC) represents hotel & casino workers in NY and northern part of NJ. Most live in NYC.
An SEIU local that represents “building workers” which has about 2x the membership of HTC.
Regardless, they endorse in mayoral elections, work to GOTV for endorsed candidates & donate from their political funds. The HTC gave $1M to Cuomo in the primary.
Absolutely!!!
Mamdani is the future, says this 80 year old! He brings a boldness and a focus on issues that directly and immediately impact his constituents. What a breath of fresh air the Democratic party so sorely needs.
I fully agree! Mayor Mamdani sounds good to me.
I sure hope so!
I am so sick of the moribund Dems who can only send "strongly worded letters" while the country is descending into oligarchy and autocracy!
New York City residents can sometimes fall for the media hype, which is how Eric Adams and George Santos each got elected. (And yes, I know that Santos is Republican, but he had to get Democratic votes to win.) I tend to be suspicious of charisma, and I wish more people were. What I see with Mandami, however, is that he focused on issues that matter in the lives of people in NYC. If he can solve the housing issue, and that one is huge, and provide free busses, which will let people get to work, school, etc., he will have done a lot. I'm skeptical that he can pull off childcare, so I will follow his efforts with interest, if he is indeed elected mayor. What Democrats need to learn from him is that if you speak to people about the needs in their lives, do so authentically, and offer solutions that help them, the people will turn out and vote for you. Here in Indiana, and the rural area in which I live, I'm waiting for the Democratic party to focus on health care and on why so much of the county has income below the poverty line. After the disaster of the last supermajority Republican legislature and governor, plenty of kitchen table issues need addressing at the local, state, and federal level.
Solutions? What a concept!
I pray that Mamandi is a harbinger of Americans having had ENOUGH! of both Donald Trump...and the Clinton NeoLiberal DNC that made him possible.
That NY Senator Schmuck Schumer is actively fulminating and working to sink him is enough to put me in his corner....
Perhaps Mamdami’s candidacy will result in the rebirth of the progressive movement of the early 1900s. Let’s hope the DNC gets on board. This country cannot continue to exist with two conservative parties!
YES, that's the ticket!
I’m thrilled that Mamdani won the primary! I’m not a New Yorker currently, but I have been, so I wasn’t able to vote for him. What a breath of fresh air! The national Democratic Party should take notice and get the ancients in Congress to retire (looking at you, Chuck). We Dems need to get smart so a younger generation of Dems can move up in the party.
Start now, because it’ll take years for the eventual candidates for high office to come to national prominence!
We definitely need younger candidates and members of legislative bodies. Remember when JFK was 40ish and toured as a younger, newer generation than old, tired Eisenhower? Nixon was old even then.
What we’re doing as a country is failing miserably and harming millions. It’s long past time for another approach and it just could be Mamdani’s. If we don’t make some radical changes now, it will be too late. He is a breath of fresh air!
So what exactly is the "centrist, moderate thinking" that Mamdani and "his progressive ideas" are said (by some) to have abandoned? It seems to be a mindset that wants to ignore the unacknowledged fourth branch of government: the economic power that since at least the Reagan administration has been eating the other three branches alive. Corporate interests and their political supporters have worked hard since late 19th century to make "socialism" a dirty word, to the extent that even most New Dealers claimed that "socialism" had nothing to do with it (of course they got called socialists anyway).
Notice how "corporate interests" crash the economy almost every time they get into power? Even when they don't, they're busily hamstringing the democratic process to ensure all those "takers" who value government services don't cut into corporate profits. Their endgame is now before us, and it's terrible. Whether our aspiring democracy will survive remains open to question, but I'm 100% sure that it won't be saved by "centrist, moderate thinking."
If Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, advocating for policies that prioritize social and economic justice. If he believes in a society where everyone has access to healthcare, education, and a living wage. If his key values include expanding social programs, regulating the financial industry, and addressing climate change, than this Californian is all in. Clearly what the current Democratic Party is "selling" the American people are not "buying".
From what I understand, Mamdani won his primary by using the AOC playbook. Just getting out there and actually talking to real people. And working his butt off. There's no substitute for personal contact. It is often more important than ideology. His relative youth and the real energy he displayed in his campaign were also appealing.
Mamdani is a breath of fresh air in a system long in need of change. We need far more leaders in this country who are not tethered to the whims and wants of the wealthiest few. We, the working class people of this country, deserve leadership that is sincerely, strongly, enthusiastically fighting for us each and every day. Onward!
Campaign promises define the agenda, not necessarily the outcome. No matter where our policy objectives begin, opposition will always try to clip them back. So we need to aim high! We need the optimism, creativity and energy of youth in our party. I’m thrilled to see Mamdani’s success. He’s more qualified to be mayor than Trump is to be President.