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Phyllis Bishop's avatar

Gary, Get a grip. You are vastly overestimating the brain power behind the Trump “strategist” fantasy. He honestly believes that if HIS NAME had been on the ballot, he would have won easily. His philosophy parallels Putin’s more than Reagan’s. It’s his basic philosophy. The last time America was in this situation, the solution was the “Great Depression” and WWII. Incrementalism isn’t going to solve anything in NYC.

Don’t prostitute yourself into another Trump apologist rationalizing your knee jerk reaction to Mamdani. Socialism doesn’t equal Communism. And you know that. Look at many Western nations, including Israel… there’s a lot of so-called “socialism” built into their system. Where’s your outrage there?

I lived in France when Mitterand was elected with the same accompanying hysteria. The affordability crisis is NYC has become existential for everyone but the wealthiest top percentages. The people who live there are entitled to deal with this problem without outsiders injecting their own battle scars leftover from the Cold War-Soviet Union landscape. The players are no longer clearly defined as to which side they are on. The world has changed. The chessboard is no longer so clearly defined. Stop looking backwards.

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Sam's avatar

Rather than a binary choice one vs the other, I think this more a broadening of the tent to include those from the left and yes, the right. There is a recognition, correctly so, that oligarchs wield an inordinate amount of power in politics that is counter to the democratic experiment and the ideals of this country. People see through the smokescreens of culture wars and left-right division that have been the tools of distracting the populace from what matters. Having a broad coalition, where collaboration on shared interests is the MO even where there may be disagreement in other areas is a winning formula.

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Paul Stone's avatar

> Trump knows his reputation in his hometown, and he knew the effect his intervention on Cuomo’s behalf could have.

Trump is a legend in his own mind. He probably thought Cuomo could win with his endorsement.

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Paul Stone's avatar

I think that the point behind Trump's endorsement of Cuomo was to shift votes from Sliwa to Cuomo, and that he was actually effective in doing that, but it wasn't enough for Cuomo to win.

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Gary Fletcher's avatar

Respectfully disagree on Mamdani. It's a mistake to let your opponent characterize you. and Trump's go to phrases about radical left-wing terrorists is old and tired. Mamdani is personable and likeable and articulate. He's focused on affordability and that issue speaks to the reality of the American economy. No, I am not afraid of Mamdani being an impediment to the Democrat chances electorally. I think he's a net positive. Of course, I may be wrong. But just on personality alone (which is more important than details) Mamdani is an easy choice for anyone vs Trump.

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elliott oberman's avatar

Can't argue with Garry, bloody hell he's right!

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Affordability In America And Purchasing Power Of The Dollar

It’s clear that there is an affordability crisis in the US So called “Socialist Democrats” Zohran Mamdami(New York) and Katie Wilson(Seattle) winning mayoral races in major US cities on opposite coasts of the country bring a resounding signal to America at large that the cost of living is a major issue concerning the electorate

But while the efforts at all levels of government should be applauded, the bandaids that are being put forth just like Harris tried to do in 2024 will not work because the underlying problem in the US economy is the failure of the currency and its purchasing power WHICH HAS LOST 99% OF WHAT IT WAS IN 1971 WHEN NIXON TOOK THE COUNTRY OFF A GOLD STANDARD That’s called inflation!!

The Fed’s economists are simply in denial that a return to a gold standard will help solve the inflationary spiral that the country is in along with cutting fiscal spending We are headed for a 1929 financial implosion unless the Fed wakes up but WE shouldn’t hold our collective breath The only thing to do now is get out of dollars and into Constitutionally(Article 1 Section 8)sound money which is gold and silver

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Tai's avatar

Dems better keep their eyes on the ball. Mamdani may have riz but I have a hard time seeing him going beyond NYC. He ran a good campaign against the most terrible opponents including Adams and Cuomo. If anything, this prevented the Cuomo comeback for a future presidential run. The cozying up with Corbyn was terrible and one only hopes that he governs practically. Sherrill’s margin was unexpected but I was pleasantly surprised. She was not a good campaigner but I have high hopes for her as governor. It was quite a good story seeing her and former roommate Abigail Spanberger both making history last night.

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LM's avatar

Garry, there is no reason to surrender in advance to the GOP's fascist propaganda framing of Democrats.

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La Corua's avatar

Agree heartily! Nobody zeroes in on “Radical Lunatic Leftists” like MAGA. Trump has long promoted divider candidates. Progressives can’t resist dividers. They will shun victories to go down with them. Now comes the Mamdani Circus 🎶 🎪 buckle in. 🎢

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Wojciech Uzdelewicz's avatar

I agree with Phyllis on Trump. He has attention span of a pigeon and I doubt he is playing 3D chess here. NYC is in steady decline. Unlike many other large cities, mostly in the South, its population has been stagnant and its GDP growth has been below USA average. The biggest risk for NYC is its tax base. 10% of wealthiest in the city pay 72% of taxes, while the bottom 50% pays almost nothing. When combined with state taxes, NYC has one of the highest tax burdens in the country. But what do we get in return? Lousy public schools despite $38k in spending per student, crumbling infrastructure, awful government services (we had to pay $1,000 expediter fee and wait several month to get city permit for minor kitchen renovation). Socialism sounds good on paper but how are we going to pay for it, especially if we lose a few rich people? I would be careful using Western Europe and especially France are a role model. Europe is a museum running out of money. There is no innovation, no economic growth with most countries buried in debt.

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TBM's avatar

Respectfully I think you give Donald too much credit. Now his advisor(s) probably went thru that thought process (“Mamdani helps us”) and probably the last person that Donald spoke to before endorsing Cuomo told him to endorse Cuomo cause that is how Donald’s brain works. But i tend to think Donald endorse Cuomo cause he thought it would push Cuomo over the line(to the extent Donald thinks at all).

But GOP members who are thrilled about Mamdani winning should be mindful of all those Dems who wanted Donald to win the nomination in 2015, as he would be destroyed in the general election.

That went swimmingly didn’t it?

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Julie's avatar
4hEdited

Your analysis is great and i can see your point. I wonder two things however:

1. Trump hates to look weak. This morning Trump sounded like he had no plan and was beaten down. Not a “mission accomplished” moment.

"I think, if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor," Trump said. "Negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor."Trump added: "And they say that I wasn't on the ballot and was the biggest factor. But I don't know about that. But I was honored that they said that."

2. I havent seen this kind of enthusiasm for a candidate since Trump and Obama first came on the scene. There is the possibility that Trump branded Mamdani the communist antichrist because game recognize game.

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