An additional point on having an affirmative message: the "rest of field" candidates (Myrie, Lander, Stringer, Adrienne Adams, Ramos)spent the bulk of their campaigns framing themselves as "not Adams" and then "not Cuomo". As a consequence, none of them stood out as different (for better or worse) than the other choices.
This is probably the best takeaway from the stunning Mamdani victory. Democrats need to not demonize socialism but see its appeal. And the winning formula of big labor, big business and democratic elites no longer… wins! But having a hyper local focus and good organization is actually a winning strategy even against money and media hype . I’m very disappointed that too many mainstream Dems like Schumer are not embracing him
As a leftist and electoral politics nerd, this piece is worth its weight in gold. Mamdani's leftist messaging, particularly on affordability and Palestine were incredibly smart, disciplined stances he took at great risk considering conventional wisdom. However, it did not win him the primary alone, and those on the bleeding edge of the left would do well to remember that no matter how objectively correct we are (or think we are), not every molehill need be a mountain, nor be it one we need die on.
Great stuff as always, Michael. My one thought: I find the retort of "What does Israel have to do with managing New York City?" in the context of his debate answer to be ironic; he predicated his early political career on pro-palestinan/anti-israel advocacy. One could just as much ask what that has to do with his Assembly district.
And though I wholeheartedly agree with your takeaway on authenticity, I would caution any Dem against making foreign policy a main plank of their 2028 campaign. That will always lose out to domestic and (perceived) pocketbook issues.
This was really good. I think you can't underemphasize DSA as a factor in this race—Zohran being a rank-and-file member for years meant he had an enthusiastic volunteer and donor base of a couple thousand baked in from the beginning. A generic progressive running on the same platform and vibes maybe would've been able to generate enthusiasm later in the race, but money at the beginning makes a huge difference!
Great post as usual, if I could make one small addition, it’s DSA’s impact. They have been organizing, primary communities, and primarying dems for the last ten years and that built the foundation of Zohran’s base.
They helped to till the field for this moment in a way I don’t think a lot of people are giving them credit for.
Your point about the collapse of institutional civic forces on the left, something you've touched on before, is one of the most significant challenges we face. I've seen some moderates complain that building up civic culture is a bygone issue and Democrats need to focus just on winning elections; what is the point of winning them if you have no institutions to sustain them? The right is doing the opposite; there is a clear line connecting the Moral Majority to Moms for Liberty, and that's helping to mobilize and nurture civic culture on the right from the ground up. When was the last time Democrats or Democrat-aligned groups invested in something similar? OFA might be the only one, and that was ages ago.
What a delightfully in-depth piece. I encountered so many of these insights first-hand when I was reporting on the Primary. Glad to see them listed here with terrific analysis, as always Michael.
Remember the Cuomo during COVID, praised as the Nation’s Governor, flirted with a presidential run, he just got old, seemed a reluctant candidate.
Yes, a brilliant Zohan campaign, can he actually run the city, freeze rents, and other campaign promises, or, will a Trump pounding wear him down, and, will a landslide in November mean a run against Schumer in 28? Would Jessica be in the mayoral wings?
The DNC is in chaos, is Zohan the candidate type, or, will the over 70 Democratic establishment stand aside or fight to keep the orb and scepter?
An additional point on having an affirmative message: the "rest of field" candidates (Myrie, Lander, Stringer, Adrienne Adams, Ramos)spent the bulk of their campaigns framing themselves as "not Adams" and then "not Cuomo". As a consequence, none of them stood out as different (for better or worse) than the other choices.
Smart piece.
Spell check: “overtone window” should be corrected to “Overton window.”
This is probably the best takeaway from the stunning Mamdani victory. Democrats need to not demonize socialism but see its appeal. And the winning formula of big labor, big business and democratic elites no longer… wins! But having a hyper local focus and good organization is actually a winning strategy even against money and media hype . I’m very disappointed that too many mainstream Dems like Schumer are not embracing him
As a leftist and electoral politics nerd, this piece is worth its weight in gold. Mamdani's leftist messaging, particularly on affordability and Palestine were incredibly smart, disciplined stances he took at great risk considering conventional wisdom. However, it did not win him the primary alone, and those on the bleeding edge of the left would do well to remember that no matter how objectively correct we are (or think we are), not every molehill need be a mountain, nor be it one we need die on.
This is essential. Thank you for taking the time to write this piece.
Great stuff as always, Michael. My one thought: I find the retort of "What does Israel have to do with managing New York City?" in the context of his debate answer to be ironic; he predicated his early political career on pro-palestinan/anti-israel advocacy. One could just as much ask what that has to do with his Assembly district.
And though I wholeheartedly agree with your takeaway on authenticity, I would caution any Dem against making foreign policy a main plank of their 2028 campaign. That will always lose out to domestic and (perceived) pocketbook issues.
This was really good. I think you can't underemphasize DSA as a factor in this race—Zohran being a rank-and-file member for years meant he had an enthusiastic volunteer and donor base of a couple thousand baked in from the beginning. A generic progressive running on the same platform and vibes maybe would've been able to generate enthusiasm later in the race, but money at the beginning makes a huge difference!
Great post as usual, if I could make one small addition, it’s DSA’s impact. They have been organizing, primary communities, and primarying dems for the last ten years and that built the foundation of Zohran’s base.
They helped to till the field for this moment in a way I don’t think a lot of people are giving them credit for.
Your point about the collapse of institutional civic forces on the left, something you've touched on before, is one of the most significant challenges we face. I've seen some moderates complain that building up civic culture is a bygone issue and Democrats need to focus just on winning elections; what is the point of winning them if you have no institutions to sustain them? The right is doing the opposite; there is a clear line connecting the Moral Majority to Moms for Liberty, and that's helping to mobilize and nurture civic culture on the right from the ground up. When was the last time Democrats or Democrat-aligned groups invested in something similar? OFA might be the only one, and that was ages ago.
What a delightfully in-depth piece. I encountered so many of these insights first-hand when I was reporting on the Primary. Glad to see them listed here with terrific analysis, as always Michael.
Remember the Cuomo during COVID, praised as the Nation’s Governor, flirted with a presidential run, he just got old, seemed a reluctant candidate.
Yes, a brilliant Zohan campaign, can he actually run the city, freeze rents, and other campaign promises, or, will a Trump pounding wear him down, and, will a landslide in November mean a run against Schumer in 28? Would Jessica be in the mayoral wings?
The DNC is in chaos, is Zohan the candidate type, or, will the over 70 Democratic establishment stand aside or fight to keep the orb and scepter?
Never a dull day in Gotham City