the more interesting question for me is why did no establishment Democrats challenge Cuomo? Like what convinced them all that the mayoralty of NYC wasn't worth fighting for?
Thanks. I've seen way too many goggle-eyed, breathless takes in both "mainstream" and independent media, announcing a new "movement," a new generation of Democrats replacing, well, everybody, and reveling in alleged handwringing among Democrats. They just love that "Democrats in disarray" narrative, don't they? I think they also desperately need a new controversial story to draw in readers/listeners/viewers who have tuned out because they're frankly sick of Trump and now you can't rely anything he says or does. (Include me in this group!) But so many of the stories downplay how truly revolting Cuomo is.
I question whether voters were really serious: "Voters have been screaming for people to be laser-focused on costs and affordability, and making people's lives better." This was the entirety of Harris' campaign, while Trump's was based on extravagant and empty assertions and a shit ton of hate. We lost our senate seat in Ohio, where Sherrod Brown campaigned entirely on "costs, affordability and making working people's lives better" to a candidate who campaigned on "transpeople are coming to rape your daughter."
As for Mamdani, I have to question the political instincts of someone who doesn't understand how "globalize the intifada" reads to others outside his "pro-Palestinian" bubble, especially to Jews, and doesn't see the need to apologize and walk back on it. I'm the most secular Jew around and it deeply disturbs me. How is it playing in the Orthodox community? I look forward to conversations with some of the Orthodox here (we have the largest Orthodox community between NYC and Chicago in my little suburb) and see what they think. A lot of them have relative in NYC.
Or maybe Trump is correct about why Mamdani won: "His voice is grating." Oh wait — I think he was talking about HIMSELF.
I think it's way too soon to assess how he might be as a mayor which ends up being mostly an administrative job. We have a monstrous mayor scandal here in my little suburb, complete with outrageous anti-semitic remarks which spurred an Orthodox woman who was the target of some of them to run for city council. (I signed her petition.) In most of the local social media threads about this, someone is sure to inject that their real concern is a pothole on their street.
My guess is he will be so-so, which is usually what happens. It happened with Cleveland's very young inexperienced mayor. He's adequate. With all the folks gaga over Buttigieg for president after only being mayor of a very small city, I dug into South Bend politics and learned he too was a very mediocre mayor with few real accomplishments, a guy way ahead of himself, but very shiny!
the more interesting question for me is why did no establishment Democrats challenge Cuomo? Like what convinced them all that the mayoralty of NYC wasn't worth fighting for?
Thanks. I've seen way too many goggle-eyed, breathless takes in both "mainstream" and independent media, announcing a new "movement," a new generation of Democrats replacing, well, everybody, and reveling in alleged handwringing among Democrats. They just love that "Democrats in disarray" narrative, don't they? I think they also desperately need a new controversial story to draw in readers/listeners/viewers who have tuned out because they're frankly sick of Trump and now you can't rely anything he says or does. (Include me in this group!) But so many of the stories downplay how truly revolting Cuomo is.
I question whether voters were really serious: "Voters have been screaming for people to be laser-focused on costs and affordability, and making people's lives better." This was the entirety of Harris' campaign, while Trump's was based on extravagant and empty assertions and a shit ton of hate. We lost our senate seat in Ohio, where Sherrod Brown campaigned entirely on "costs, affordability and making working people's lives better" to a candidate who campaigned on "transpeople are coming to rape your daughter."
As for Mamdani, I have to question the political instincts of someone who doesn't understand how "globalize the intifada" reads to others outside his "pro-Palestinian" bubble, especially to Jews, and doesn't see the need to apologize and walk back on it. I'm the most secular Jew around and it deeply disturbs me. How is it playing in the Orthodox community? I look forward to conversations with some of the Orthodox here (we have the largest Orthodox community between NYC and Chicago in my little suburb) and see what they think. A lot of them have relative in NYC.
Or maybe Trump is correct about why Mamdani won: "His voice is grating." Oh wait — I think he was talking about HIMSELF.
I appreciate your reconsideration of Mamdani, including the email you share in which you comment that you "don't think he’s a lost cause." Thanks.
I think it's way too soon to assess how he might be as a mayor which ends up being mostly an administrative job. We have a monstrous mayor scandal here in my little suburb, complete with outrageous anti-semitic remarks which spurred an Orthodox woman who was the target of some of them to run for city council. (I signed her petition.) In most of the local social media threads about this, someone is sure to inject that their real concern is a pothole on their street.
My guess is he will be so-so, which is usually what happens. It happened with Cleveland's very young inexperienced mayor. He's adequate. With all the folks gaga over Buttigieg for president after only being mayor of a very small city, I dug into South Bend politics and learned he too was a very mediocre mayor with few real accomplishments, a guy way ahead of himself, but very shiny!