Mamdani is a breath of fresh air. He speaks like a human. He gets stuff done (paying people $30/hr to shovel snow is a simple, genius solution to keeping the streets clean). He seems to love his city and his job. A throwback to the optimistic, "Happy Warrior" politicians from ages past. Incredibly, he also seems to be playing Trump like a Stradavarius.
Spot on! One thing the last decade has taught me is that I don’t need my elected officials to be 100% aligned with me on everything. I DO need them to be competent, honest (to the extent that is possible in politicians), and to be acting out of a sincere desire to serve the public. Give me those three things, and we can disagree on 50% of the details, because a) I don’t know everything and b)I believe such a person will ultimately do more good than harm.
I completely agree, Adam. Here on Long Island we're watching him making improvements at light speed to the city we care about. He's smart and must have a crew of talented planners. He talks the talk and walks the walk. He has real empathy for the people and a very long fuse for the naysayers and critics. He's one to watch.
Mandami does have a good strategic and intelligent approach that appears to be resulting in positive outcomes. Much like you Adam, I do not agree with all of his policies, but he is a breath of fresh air that both political parties could learn from. Government is supposed to serve all people, not just those that have a lot of wealth. Mandami gets that; unlike our current administration that caters to billionaires and big business with little regard for majority of the American population.
Solving every day problems is what our representatives should be doing. I am closely watching the Democratic governors out there who serve their states. Hoping I can vote for one of them in 2028. Tired of the insiders. Keeping a focused eye on Andy Beshear.
I lost so much respect for him with Where’s Mitchgate. He should have been much more aggressive and on it every single day, publicly. Why didn’t he go to a judge and get an injunction to force proof of life?
They should do a commercial for the mid terms like they did they did the we are the world music video. A stadge filled with our great popular polictical communicators like Mandani, Buttigieg, Beshear, Obama, Pritzer, Kelly,Booker, Harris, Sanders, Newsom, AOC, Shapiro, Ossoff, Talarico, Pelosi etc. All saying a sentence one at a time that encourages voters to vote blue. And how rump has destroyed the country. Showing unity within the diverse party, showing all are welcome. Could be put out on TV and all social media.
Brilliant idea! Let's not add Kushner whisperer Jefferies or hack Schumer to the list, though. How to accomplish this? Maybe a group like Save America could fund it?
Thank you, Adam, for highlighting Mamdani. While he may offer exactly what works in New York City, it may not play well in places like Wyoming and Montana. But as he achieves more success in NYC it will, hopefully, create a ripple effect that continues to spread.
Interesting perspective. I don’t agree with him either on everything but I do see the points you’re making. He has educated insight and ability to produce results.
How can the Rs have the dialogue on ordinary human concerns, like whether the streets feel safe and clean, whether government actually works, and whether taxpayer money is spent without waste when the current regime is the most corrupt "administration" in history? I do agree about Mamdani. He works for the people of NYC to improve the city and their lives.
He talked to many New York City people before running. He knows how to listen. He knows how to take action. People can see the results. He doesn’t talk about efficiency as a justification for lowering taxes for the rich. He is talking about more efficient services to benefit all the people.
As a New Yorker I agree with your assessment. Though I don’t agree with him on everything I believe he brings a breath of fresh air into NYC government. He is obviously very smart, strategic and willing to try new things to address some of the seemingly intractable problems facing our city. He is criticized mercilessly by a large portion of city residents but he needs to be given a chance. Our two former mayors De Blasio and Adams did little( and Adams had one of our most corrupt administrations), so Mamdani already is doing more. It is the Democratic Socialist title that I think is blinding people who believe his views are so far left they are afraid. But, if they look at what he’s accomplished and what he is aiming to do, they’d be surprised how common sensical are many of his ideas. Thanks for doing this piece. I think it’s an important lesson.
What a good mind you have, Mr. Kinzinger. Thank you, I learned something new. In regard to polarization, media commentators and dedicated voters on the right or left are two wings of the same bird.
Mamdani is a breath of fresh air. He speaks like a human. He gets stuff done (paying people $30/hr to shovel snow is a simple, genius solution to keeping the streets clean). He seems to love his city and his job. A throwback to the optimistic, "Happy Warrior" politicians from ages past. Incredibly, he also seems to be playing Trump like a Stradavarius.
Mamdani is not afraid of Trump, because he's comfortable in his own skin and he knows his power. His confidence intimidates Trump.
Exactly right.
Except that Trump is the furthest thing from a Stradivarius. He's more like a fog horn.
Smart comment.
Spot on! One thing the last decade has taught me is that I don’t need my elected officials to be 100% aligned with me on everything. I DO need them to be competent, honest (to the extent that is possible in politicians), and to be acting out of a sincere desire to serve the public. Give me those three things, and we can disagree on 50% of the details, because a) I don’t know everything and b)I believe such a person will ultimately do more good than harm.
I completely agree, Adam. Here on Long Island we're watching him making improvements at light speed to the city we care about. He's smart and must have a crew of talented planners. He talks the talk and walks the walk. He has real empathy for the people and a very long fuse for the naysayers and critics. He's one to watch.
Well said!!
Pitch perfect, Adam!
It also explains why neither Schumer (long past his sell-by date) nor Jefferies can lead us forward.
Mandami does have a good strategic and intelligent approach that appears to be resulting in positive outcomes. Much like you Adam, I do not agree with all of his policies, but he is a breath of fresh air that both political parties could learn from. Government is supposed to serve all people, not just those that have a lot of wealth. Mandami gets that; unlike our current administration that caters to billionaires and big business with little regard for majority of the American population.
Great article! I absolutely agree about Mamdani!
Solving every day problems is what our representatives should be doing. I am closely watching the Democratic governors out there who serve their states. Hoping I can vote for one of them in 2028. Tired of the insiders. Keeping a focused eye on Andy Beshear.
I lost so much respect for him with Where’s Mitchgate. He should have been much more aggressive and on it every single day, publicly. Why didn’t he go to a judge and get an injunction to force proof of life?
They should do a commercial for the mid terms like they did they did the we are the world music video. A stadge filled with our great popular polictical communicators like Mandani, Buttigieg, Beshear, Obama, Pritzer, Kelly,Booker, Harris, Sanders, Newsom, AOC, Shapiro, Ossoff, Talarico, Pelosi etc. All saying a sentence one at a time that encourages voters to vote blue. And how rump has destroyed the country. Showing unity within the diverse party, showing all are welcome. Could be put out on TV and all social media.
Brilliant idea! Let's not add Kushner whisperer Jefferies or hack Schumer to the list, though. How to accomplish this? Maybe a group like Save America could fund it?
Thank you, Adam, for highlighting Mamdani. While he may offer exactly what works in New York City, it may not play well in places like Wyoming and Montana. But as he achieves more success in NYC it will, hopefully, create a ripple effect that continues to spread.
Wyoming and Montana voters have potholes, too.
Interesting perspective. I don’t agree with him either on everything but I do see the points you’re making. He has educated insight and ability to produce results.
How can the Rs have the dialogue on ordinary human concerns, like whether the streets feel safe and clean, whether government actually works, and whether taxpayer money is spent without waste when the current regime is the most corrupt "administration" in history? I do agree about Mamdani. He works for the people of NYC to improve the city and their lives.
Terrific analysis. I agree.
He talked to many New York City people before running. He knows how to listen. He knows how to take action. People can see the results. He doesn’t talk about efficiency as a justification for lowering taxes for the rich. He is talking about more efficient services to benefit all the people.
As a New Yorker I agree with your assessment. Though I don’t agree with him on everything I believe he brings a breath of fresh air into NYC government. He is obviously very smart, strategic and willing to try new things to address some of the seemingly intractable problems facing our city. He is criticized mercilessly by a large portion of city residents but he needs to be given a chance. Our two former mayors De Blasio and Adams did little( and Adams had one of our most corrupt administrations), so Mamdani already is doing more. It is the Democratic Socialist title that I think is blinding people who believe his views are so far left they are afraid. But, if they look at what he’s accomplished and what he is aiming to do, they’d be surprised how common sensical are many of his ideas. Thanks for doing this piece. I think it’s an important lesson.
What a good mind you have, Mr. Kinzinger. Thank you, I learned something new. In regard to polarization, media commentators and dedicated voters on the right or left are two wings of the same bird.
Very well explained… I think he is doing well. and his media presence is enviable..