World Politics

[TAS]

Anyone been following the NYC mayor's race - specifically the impressive rise of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani?

When someone first mentioned him to me a few months back, he was described as pretty extreme because of his campaign promises which include:
No cost childcare
Free bus transit (and better service)
Rent freeze for the 2 million that live in rent stablized apartments
City owned grocery stores in various neighbourhoods to lower food costs

He has made a series of 4 videos so far highlighting his platform. The series is called Until It's Done. The first video is below on one of his promises to tackle mental illness through a $362 million fund for the newly formed Department of Community Safety. Very well done.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Zohran for NYC

Zohran Mamdani is running for Mayor to lower the cost of living for working class New Yorkers.

www.zohranfornyc.com

 

[constance_chlore]

Most of my friends and family live in the States, some in NYC, so I've been following Mamdani closely. I don't agree with all of his policies, but it's clear that he's an incredible political talent—mostly just by virtue of seeming very sincere, likeable, and genuinely witty. (Also, his mom is one of the world's greatest living filmmakers.)

Another rising star to watch—Katie Wilson in Seattle.

 

[archited]

Yes, essentially all of my wife's friends and family live in greater NYC and my dear Laura is from there, accent and all (it is a real treat for me to watch it (the accent spiced with some attitude) come out in full glory after a few glasses of wine). I love walking the streets of Manhattan and the East River riverfront in Brooklyn.

 

[Airboy]

Another one to watch is Graham Platner in Maine. Running to unseat Susan Collins. Former military, ouster fisherman. Very plain spoken.

 

[archited]

The Democrats have a lot of talent "coming to the rescue".

 

[Airboy]

The Democrats have a lot of talent "coming to the rescue".

Yup, I believe the frank talk is much needed at this time as well. Love the line when Platner was asked what he would say if the Repubs came after him for being an injured Vet. "Fuck Off" Simple and perfect. What I have been noticing some of these new Democrats are going after the Oligarchs. They are not specifically going after the Orange man.

 

[TAS]

Another one to watch is Graham Platner in Maine. Running to unseat Susan Collins. Former military, ouster fisherman. Very plain spoken.

Yup, I believe the frank talk is much needed at this time as well. Love the line when Platner was asked what he would say if the Repubs came after him for being an injured Vet. "Fuck Off" Simple and perfect. What I have been noticing some of these new Democrats are going after the Oligarchs. They are not specifically going after the Orange man.

Platner is also endorsed by Bernie Sanders - and yes, agreed - trying to win back the 'working class'. Sanders and AOC are leading the charge.

It will be interesting to see who the party's leader will be in 2026. Will they play it safe again as they did with Hillary Clinton and Biden?

Will success of Mamdani fuel a bolder direction?

 

[David A]

Yup, I believe the frank talk is much needed at this time as well. Love the line when Platner was asked what he would say if the Repubs came after him for being an injured Vet. "Fuck Off" Simple and perfect. What I have been noticing some of these new Democrats are going after the Oligarchs. They are not specifically going after the Orange man.

Well the Orange Menace is 79, so time is really not on his side. He is not going to be around forever. Also, technically he can not run again. So in some ways a bigger problem is the gang around him.

 

[archited]

What I have been noticing some of these new Democrats are going after the Oligarchs. They are not specifically going after the Orange man.

Yes -- there is a group of these billionaires who are still funding the Orange and I think they are getting ripped more and more in the media and especially on vodcasts (which is heartening).

It will be interesting to see who the party's leader will be in 2026

Polarizing as he is, I think California's Governor Newsom is close to closing the deal for the Dems presidential bid in 2028 (if it even goes that far). I predict the Repubs will be in complete disarray before the start of 2026 -- Trump is visibly ill and his rambles are even more incoherent than usual; the economy is a complete shambles, especially in the sectors where Trump was promising a fix; he is a complete joke on the world stage. Teflon Don's slip is showing.

 

[David A]

I have no vote there but I feel it may be a mistake to replace one vain, showboating leader with another. However, he does at least provide an effective contrast and criticism of the Orange one.

 

[archited]

^ He's not showboating; he's mocking the orange-peal.

 

[constance_chlore]

I sure hope we don't nominate Newsom! Pritzker would make a good president. He got the mandate of heaven when he caught and downed that jello shot one-handed.

Democratic leadership is unfortunately very invested in locking out talented upstarts from power. Look at Hakeem Jeffries—he won't even commit to voting for Mamdani, let alone endorsing him. AOC has managed to make a dent in the House only because she is (like Mamdani) an extraordinarily savvy politician, but they haven't made it easy for her.

 

[bodsbods9090]

I have no vote there but I feel it may be a mistake to replace one vain, showboating leader with another. However, he does at least provide an effective contrast and criticism of the Orange one.

He's far from vain.
He's openly mocking him at every turn because Trump can't take it and it makes him a whiny baby.

I don't know if Newsome wants to leave his post in California. Their economy does well out there and he's keeping it afloat despite the States falling apart in other areas.

Time will tell I guess.

 

[archited]

Democratic leadership is unfortunately very invested in locking out talented upstarts from power. Look at Hakeem Jeffries—he won't even commit to voting for Mamdani, let alone endorsing him. AOC has managed to make a dent in the House only because she is (like Mamdani) an extraordinarily savvy politician, but they haven't made it easy for her.

Democratic "leadership" needs to shape up or step aside. BTW Newsom endorsed Mamdani and AOC and the Bern and is besties with JB. At least he doesn't take the BS being shoveled from the other side and he throws it back as fast as they deliver it. I hope this doesn't turn into another dem-slide where the gen-pop starts wringing their hands about "he said this tho, and he did that" Newsom is right -- it's time to Wake Up!

 

[Airboy]

Yes -- there is a group of these billionaires who are still funding the Orange and I think they are getting ripped more and more in the media and especially on vodcasts (which is heartening).

Polarizing as he is, I think California's Governor Newsom is close to closing the deal for the Dems presidential bid in 2028 (if it even goes that far). I predict the Repubs will be in complete disarray before the start of 2026 -- Trump is visibly ill and his rambles are even more incoherent than usual; the economy is a complete shambles, especially in the sectors where Trump was promising a fix; he is a complete joke on the world stage. Teflon Don's slip is showing.

You are right in Newsom running, I kind of like Pritsker. But the way I am viewing this is the Repub are gearing up for a full on assault to voting so they may never get a chance to vote. JD Vance could be much worse if he gets power. At least The orange person is consistent in his direction and comments. The rhetoric is also get much darker. The Dems have not become a cohesive group, to many factions. At least the competing factions in the republican camp can get together at times. The no kings march coming up may be a flash point event that the Orange one will use. At least that is my uneasy feelings. We've seen the manipulation of the press and the media is not doing anything of real substance to refute it.