Nice article, Michael. Part of me expects that a lot of Mamdani's base will become disillusioned when he doesn't quickly enact his big campaign promises (I think this is likely because of the role Albany will have to play, and also because most New Yorkers don't live in rent stabilized apts). But another part wonders if he'll manage to keep them engaged and supportive despite that through his cult of personality/social media.
Consistently fantastic reading Michael. Thanks for this comparison, I hadn’t realized how deep the similarities went, and where exactly they ended. Now I do, thanks to you!
Mamdani v Schumer in 28 primary? Jessica Tisch for Mayor?? Much of Mamdani’s politics requires Albany, with a governor facing a uber MAGA opponent - polling even … I suspect she will be less than sympathetic…
Heastie and Stewart-Cousins understand Republicans will be running against Mamdani,
With mayoral control sunsetting 6/30/26 an opportunity to reshape a failed education system dominated by mediocrity …
Can Zohan avoid going to war with the real estate establishment, or, does he relish the battle?
Education needs a total overhaul, maybe the best arena to flex ideas and muscle
Forgive my cynicism here, but if I think that Barack Obama's "arc" was "photogenic Great Communicator with huge grassroots following" --> "underwhelming Great Compromiser centrist president" --> "washed up whitewater rafting enthusiast," one might look at Mamdani and think, "hey, I've seen this movie before..."
I think the starting point is the difference. The aforementioned Blair Hull, who supported universal healthcare and opposed corporate interests; imagine that if Obama had started there, then, yeah, the realities of life mean you end up backing a public option at least. Obama began to the right of that.
I mean, AOC started out very left, yeah? And she has ... drifted from that a little, let's say.
To be clear, even if on January 2, 2026 Mayor Mamdani held a press conference and announced "surprise, I was a Bloomberg-style Republican all along! Nyeh-heh-heh!" he would still be obviously superior to Cuomo or Adams. I like the guy! I just find the Mamdani worship among my peers a bit silly.
I’m hoping this past weekend’s Zcavenger Hunt evinces his understanding of keeping the constituency engaged beyond the election!
Nice article, Michael. Part of me expects that a lot of Mamdani's base will become disillusioned when he doesn't quickly enact his big campaign promises (I think this is likely because of the role Albany will have to play, and also because most New Yorkers don't live in rent stabilized apts). But another part wonders if he'll manage to keep them engaged and supportive despite that through his cult of personality/social media.
Consistently fantastic reading Michael. Thanks for this comparison, I hadn’t realized how deep the similarities went, and where exactly they ended. Now I do, thanks to you!
Mamdani v Schumer in 28 primary? Jessica Tisch for Mayor?? Much of Mamdani’s politics requires Albany, with a governor facing a uber MAGA opponent - polling even … I suspect she will be less than sympathetic…
Heastie and Stewart-Cousins understand Republicans will be running against Mamdani,
With mayoral control sunsetting 6/30/26 an opportunity to reshape a failed education system dominated by mediocrity …
Can Zohan avoid going to war with the real estate establishment, or, does he relish the battle?
Education needs a total overhaul, maybe the best arena to flex ideas and muscle
Forgive my cynicism here, but if I think that Barack Obama's "arc" was "photogenic Great Communicator with huge grassroots following" --> "underwhelming Great Compromiser centrist president" --> "washed up whitewater rafting enthusiast," one might look at Mamdani and think, "hey, I've seen this movie before..."
I think the starting point is the difference. The aforementioned Blair Hull, who supported universal healthcare and opposed corporate interests; imagine that if Obama had started there, then, yeah, the realities of life mean you end up backing a public option at least. Obama began to the right of that.
I mean, AOC started out very left, yeah? And she has ... drifted from that a little, let's say.
To be clear, even if on January 2, 2026 Mayor Mamdani held a press conference and announced "surprise, I was a Bloomberg-style Republican all along! Nyeh-heh-heh!" he would still be obviously superior to Cuomo or Adams. I like the guy! I just find the Mamdani worship among my peers a bit silly.