From A(ndrew) to Z(ohran)
The New York City mayor’s race is a preview of the 2028 Democratic presidential race: an aging, center-left establishment figure scarred by past battles, challenged by a fresh but unproven champion of young, more-left progressives.
That could mean a civil war in 2028, like what led to Donald Trump in 2016.
Or a new leader could rise, re-energize the party and win the White House, like Bill Clinton in 1992 and Barack Obama in 2008.
The old-guard candidate in New York is Andrew Cuomo, the 67-year-old former governor. He was once a Democratic hero who stood up to Trump during Covid. Now he’s a heel who resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
The challenger is Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old “Democratic socialist” with a big smile, big ideas and brilliant social media who has attracted an army of enthusiastic supporters.
Cuomo reeks of the past. He has more baggage than Delta.
Mamdani represents a multi-cultural future that scares some older, moderate Democrats, but energizes a new generation of savvy progressives.
The divide is generational and ideological. It’s over American policy toward Israel and Gaza. And it’s over the role of government.
Mamdani has an ambitious agenda: a rent freeze, building affordable housing, city-owned grocery stores, fast and free buses, no-cost childcare and baby baskets for newborns with diapers, baby wipes, nursing pads, post-partum pads, swaddles and books.
How will he pay for it? As 13,000 supporters chanted at a rally last weekend: “tax the rich.”
Cuomo dismisses that as fantasy. He warns darkly that a socialist will destroy the citadel of capitalism. He’s sunk to anti-Muslim race-baiting.
Trump calls Mamdani a “communist lunatic.” But Mamdani’s message this year is the same as Trump’s last year: things cost too much.
Trump hasn’t done anything about the cost of living. He and Republicans in Congress put billionaires first.
Maybe Mamdani, unlike Trump, will keep his promises if he wins.
I’m a card-carrying member of the aging Democratic establishment, and I like Mamdani – his bold goals, engaging personality and positive politics. I welcome the new energy – and new people – he brings to the party.
No, a “Democratic socialist” won’t win in North Carolina or nationally in the 2028 presidential race.
Who may win is a Democrat who offers new hope and new ideas, who brings together the party’s center-left and left wings and who bridges our past and our future, and – yes – who’s young, charismatic and fun to watch on social media.
A 2028 version of Clinton and Obama.
Americans are angry, anxious and fearful about the future.
Ten years ago, anger, anxiety and fear led to the Trump earthquake.
Today, the federal government is shut down, people are working without paychecks, Trump’s tariffs are jacking up prices, millions of Americans are facing higher healthcare costs and millions of families – and children – may soon lose the meals and food assistance they rely on.
The times are right for another earthquake.
From A(ndrew) to Z(ohran)
The New York City mayor’s race is a preview of the 2028 Democratic presidential race: an aging, center-left establishment figure scarred by past battles, challenged by a fresh but unproven champion of young, more-left progressives.
That could mean a civil war in 2028, like what led to Donald Trump in 2016.
Or a new leader could rise, re-energize the party and win the White House, like Bill Clinton in 1992 and Barack Obama in 2008.
The old-guard candidate in New York is Andrew Cuomo, the 67-year-old former governor. He was once a Democratic hero who stood up to Trump during Covid. Now he’s a heel who resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
The challenger is Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old “Democratic socialist” with a big smile, big ideas and brilliant social media who has attracted an army of enthusiastic supporters.
Cuomo reeks of the past. He has more baggage than Delta.
Mamdani represents a multi-cultural future that scares some older, moderate Democrats, but energizes a new generation of savvy progressives.
The divide is generational and ideological. It’s over American policy toward Israel and Gaza. And it’s over the role of government.
Mamdani has an ambitious agenda: a rent freeze, building affordable housing, city-owned grocery stores, fast and free buses, no-cost childcare and baby baskets for newborns with diapers, baby wipes, nursing pads, post-partum pads, swaddles and books.
How will he pay for it? As 13,000 supporters chanted at a rally last weekend: “tax the rich.”
Cuomo dismisses that as fantasy. He warns darkly that a socialist will destroy the citadel of capitalism. He’s sunk to anti-Muslim race-baiting.
Trump calls Mamdani a “communist lunatic.” But Mamdani’s message this year is the same as Trump’s last year: things cost too much.
Trump hasn’t done anything about the cost of living. He and Republicans in Congress put billionaires first.
Maybe Mamdani, unlike Trump, will keep his promises if he wins.
I’m a card-carrying member of the aging Democratic establishment, and I like Mamdani – his bold goals, engaging personality and positive politics. I welcome the new energy – and new people – he brings to the party.
No, a “Democratic socialist” won’t win in North Carolina or nationally in the 2028 presidential race.
Who may win is a Democrat who offers new hope and new ideas, who brings together the party’s center-left and left wings and who bridges our past and our future, and – yes – who’s young, charismatic and fun to watch on social media.
A 2028 version of Clinton and Obama.
Americans are angry, anxious and fearful about the future.
Ten years ago, anger, anxiety and fear led to the Trump earthquake.
Today, the federal government is shut down, people are working without paychecks, Trump’s tariffs are jacking up prices, millions of Americans are facing higher healthcare costs and millions of families – and children – may soon lose the meals and food assistance they rely on.
The times are right for another earthquake.