Mamdani is going to be Mayor. And the top two Dems in Congress, both from NYC, are going to run away from him. Of course, Mamdani’s ideas won’t play in, let’s say Montana. But the authenticity plays everywhere. When will the Dems learn the truth of how to win elections?!
The specifics might not play in Montana (etc.), but I think the general approach will: Identify two or three or four key issues, come up with a plausible plan to address them, and present that plan in easy-to-digest language. Then follow Dan's point #1: "Never stop communicating." This should be especially effective when Republican legislators are doing their damndest to *avoid* communicating with their constituents.
His millionaires tax is not far fetched. Massachusetts did it and the money goes to transportation and education.And our share of millionaires increased so that threat that they will leave the state was bogus. Where would they go? Mayor Wu made buses to low income neighborhoods free. She made museums free one Sunday every month. Right now she is being primaried by Josh Kraft (Heir to Robert Kraft owner of the NE Patriots, who sees an opening to rescind all of it. Momdani knows who lives in New York. Just as Wu knows the same thing. That's why they are popular.
Every single one of Dan's 5 lessons is a piece of political gold for Democratic candidates running for office anywhere. Add on the effects of the Big Bullshit Bill passed by the Senate last night in the dark hours - take this and pound away at the greed and avarice of the Trump Republican party and Project 2025.
💯 Man I’m happy to hear this accurate and articulate summary. Too afraid to win. Everything everywhere all at once. Clear message that underscores your values. Sigh. It just shouldn’t be too much to ask. Thanks Dan.
Also if the big budget busting bill is threatening rural hospitals - organize a group of lawmakers and go hold a press conference in front of one. This is not a time for business as usual.
Mamdani won on his talent and authenticity. As a moderate Democrat, I am not threatened by his victory.
I understand Gillen and Suozzi keeping their distance because they represent very different districts than NYC. They should be able to defend their position in their own right. Did Bernie Sanders and AOC’s victories stop them from winning??
I posit the establishment will lose far more by icing Mamdani than by simply congratulating him on a job well done.
It's now up to Mamdani to win the general and then show he can govern effectively. While I don't agree with his apparent ideology, if he can make a positive difference for the people in NYC, I'm all for it.
You’re analysis of being afraid to lose is right in. My greatest disappointment in our present Democratic Party and Harris’s is they don’t go off script and tell us what they really think. Direct honesty is missing. ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION. It takes courage to be yourself. Listen to whom you are conversing with. When Harris was asked an unrehearsed question, her answer was always “I was raised….” Sad 😢
I'm going to lose my mind. I'm so disappointed in Dems right now - especially folks like Kirstin Gillibrand who insist on an Israel purity test but don't address the genocide happening in front of our eyes in Gaza. Two things can be true at the same time - Israel suffered a huge and devastating attack, but Netanyahu's choice to devastate Gaza and now turning his devastation on the region - not great (to quote Dan). Being opposed to Gazan devastation by this horrible leader is NOT antisemitism. Do we have a similar term for autocratic takeovers around the world? Why in the world does an American Muslim need to declare his opposition to a global intifada? He declared his positions about issues in his city. So did the mayor of Albany, Oregon, and I voted for him.
Second - I don't understand all the hair pulling about being a Democratic Socialist. You'd think Stalin (a very different kind of Social Democrat who evolved into autocracy) was running. Canada has a strong social democrat tradition, and right now they look pretty attractive compared to this current insane clown posse administration.
I’d suggest listening to Senator Gillibrand’s full segment on WNYC. It’s only 30 minutes long. In my opinion what she said is being taken out of context on purpose to misrepresent her point of view.
Listening now. She makes the point of how "globalize the intifada" is received when used. Does not matter that Mamdani interprets it as nonviolent.
The AJC defines the term as follows: “Globalize the Intifada” is a phrase used by pro-Palestinian activists that calls for aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel. The most prominent expressions of intifada have been through violence so this phrase is often understood by those saying and hearing it as encouraging violence against Israelis, Jews, and institutions supporting Israel. While the intent of the person saying this phrase may be different, the impact on the Jewish community remains the same.
Enough of the genocide accusations directed to Israel on Dan's substack. Reached my tolerance level here. Under the Genocide Convention, genocidal intent must be proven as a specific, coordinated, and collective intent by a state or group to destroy, in whole or in part, a protected group. Isolated statements—even from officials (like far right ministers Gvir and Smotrich)—do not satisfy this legal threshold. Israel is not committing genocide. The IDF takes measures to minimize civilian casualties, e.g., giving the Palestians evacuation notices before the bombings (which benefits Hamas as they get advance noptice), selective strikes at Hamas leaders, humanitarian corridors, and the use of "call out" tactics with facial recognition software to find the Hamas target in a residential building. It is criminal that Hamas uses Gazans as human shields by placing themselves and their infrastructure (like command centers, tunnels) under hospitals, schools, and residential areas. Gaza is densely populated, so intense urban warfare is occurring. Hamas is committed to the genocide of Jews and Israeli citizens. Hamas initiated the war with the October 7, 2023 massacre/attack on southern Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself.
This is awesome!! Thank you!! One of the best things I've read all day.
Add to that-- Israel has not occupied Gaza since 2005. It only occupied it originally because of the Six Days War with Egypt. Israeli settlements in Gaza were removed unilaterally by Israel in September 2005.
IMHO, if Muslim leaders really want to help oppressed people, start by going against those who are oppressing them-- Hamas, the Ayatollahs, the Imams, and anyone with a radical Islamist agenda, as that has lead to nothing but anguish and suffering for the unfortunate people of the middle east.
Great advice for Democrats! I have advocated for governor candidates Mikie Sherrill in NJ (my state) and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia to meet with Zohran Mamdani to find the common ground they all can run on to help their states and city and demonstrate a hopeful way forward. I consider myself a moderate Democrat and I am excited by Zohran. I suspect that many of his more socialist leaning plans are not workable, even in NYC, but I think he's smart enough to listen to all points of view and alter his course when needed. I would vote for him without hesitation if I still lived in NYC!
I came of political age in the late '60s. Mamdani's "more socialist leaning plans" look a lot like what was considered business as usual between the New Deal and the onset of the Reagan reaction. The big flaw was that they mostly benefited white people. Efforts to fix that flaw led directly to Southern white flight into the GOP, where it was joined by backlash against women's rights. Trump II is the endgame. It didn't come out of nowhere.
As you pointed out , Mamdani adopted a rather…dare I say it, almost Trumpian philosophy to his campaign. Simple message relating to the attitude of the moment. Charisma and connection to said attitude > policy arcana.
Here’s my question, though - there exists a media double standard with Democrats, where we’re always asked, “how will you pay for it?” Aside from “soak the rich,” how does one overcome this?
Great Post!! I hope the Democratic Party takes your points to heart. We're certainly NOT winning elections by relying on virtuous policy positions. We need to fight!!
I was especially impressed with the messaging. Dem messaging has trended emotionless, abstract, and impersonal: “Democrats are fighting for working class families with common-sense legislation to reduce prescription drug prices, protect Social Security, and promote renewable energy for a more equitable future”. Sounds more like a thesis statement for an article in some boring magazine, right?
Compare that to perhaps the country’s first political message:”No taxation without representation”. How did we forget how to do pithy in 250 years?
And repetitive. He didn’t just ask one person at the end about $7 versus $10 Halal. He asked several and drove the point home without boring anyone.
As to Dan’s point about all forms of media… we are making this far harder than it is. Advertisers know how to reach everyone, no matter individual media diets.
I hoe every candidate learns from this.
BTW that first ad is a real one from a general election campaign. Any guesses as to whose?
I’m a Virginian. The bloodless statement by my senators in protest of John Ryan’s ouster as UVA president left me as discouraged as I am certain that Warner and Kaine thought it was tough stuff. They simply are not comprehending what their base is telling them.
While I think all of your points are valid, I think your last point is especially important. Democrats are so afraid of their own shadows these days they are practically paralyzed.
Mamdani is going to be Mayor. And the top two Dems in Congress, both from NYC, are going to run away from him. Of course, Mamdani’s ideas won’t play in, let’s say Montana. But the authenticity plays everywhere. When will the Dems learn the truth of how to win elections?!
The specifics might not play in Montana (etc.), but I think the general approach will: Identify two or three or four key issues, come up with a plausible plan to address them, and present that plan in easy-to-digest language. Then follow Dan's point #1: "Never stop communicating." This should be especially effective when Republican legislators are doing their damndest to *avoid* communicating with their constituents.
Another great piece. I find so few people are able to synthesize so much information into coherent and concise content, as you do.
Thanks!
His millionaires tax is not far fetched. Massachusetts did it and the money goes to transportation and education.And our share of millionaires increased so that threat that they will leave the state was bogus. Where would they go? Mayor Wu made buses to low income neighborhoods free. She made museums free one Sunday every month. Right now she is being primaried by Josh Kraft (Heir to Robert Kraft owner of the NE Patriots, who sees an opening to rescind all of it. Momdani knows who lives in New York. Just as Wu knows the same thing. That's why they are popular.
Every single one of Dan's 5 lessons is a piece of political gold for Democratic candidates running for office anywhere. Add on the effects of the Big Bullshit Bill passed by the Senate last night in the dark hours - take this and pound away at the greed and avarice of the Trump Republican party and Project 2025.
Absolutely! Well said!
💯 Man I’m happy to hear this accurate and articulate summary. Too afraid to win. Everything everywhere all at once. Clear message that underscores your values. Sigh. It just shouldn’t be too much to ask. Thanks Dan.
Also if the big budget busting bill is threatening rural hospitals - organize a group of lawmakers and go hold a press conference in front of one. This is not a time for business as usual.
And one other thing, why do Dems seem so great at channeling fear of this socialist democrat and not at the Christian nationalist Mike Johnson?
Exactly! Why can’t we brand them as White Christian Nationalists? It’s not even an exaggeration.
Yup. As a non practicing catholic I find the Christian Nationalist beliefs scary.
Wholeheartedly agree.
Mamdani won on his talent and authenticity. As a moderate Democrat, I am not threatened by his victory.
I understand Gillen and Suozzi keeping their distance because they represent very different districts than NYC. They should be able to defend their position in their own right. Did Bernie Sanders and AOC’s victories stop them from winning??
I posit the establishment will lose far more by icing Mamdani than by simply congratulating him on a job well done.
This is a very reasoned and thoughtful take.
It's now up to Mamdani to win the general and then show he can govern effectively. While I don't agree with his apparent ideology, if he can make a positive difference for the people in NYC, I'm all for it.
You’re analysis of being afraid to lose is right in. My greatest disappointment in our present Democratic Party and Harris’s is they don’t go off script and tell us what they really think. Direct honesty is missing. ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION. It takes courage to be yourself. Listen to whom you are conversing with. When Harris was asked an unrehearsed question, her answer was always “I was raised….” Sad 😢
I'm going to lose my mind. I'm so disappointed in Dems right now - especially folks like Kirstin Gillibrand who insist on an Israel purity test but don't address the genocide happening in front of our eyes in Gaza. Two things can be true at the same time - Israel suffered a huge and devastating attack, but Netanyahu's choice to devastate Gaza and now turning his devastation on the region - not great (to quote Dan). Being opposed to Gazan devastation by this horrible leader is NOT antisemitism. Do we have a similar term for autocratic takeovers around the world? Why in the world does an American Muslim need to declare his opposition to a global intifada? He declared his positions about issues in his city. So did the mayor of Albany, Oregon, and I voted for him.
Second - I don't understand all the hair pulling about being a Democratic Socialist. You'd think Stalin (a very different kind of Social Democrat who evolved into autocracy) was running. Canada has a strong social democrat tradition, and right now they look pretty attractive compared to this current insane clown posse administration.
I’d suggest listening to Senator Gillibrand’s full segment on WNYC. It’s only 30 minutes long. In my opinion what she said is being taken out of context on purpose to misrepresent her point of view.
Listening now. She makes the point of how "globalize the intifada" is received when used. Does not matter that Mamdani interprets it as nonviolent.
The AJC defines the term as follows: “Globalize the Intifada” is a phrase used by pro-Palestinian activists that calls for aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel. The most prominent expressions of intifada have been through violence so this phrase is often understood by those saying and hearing it as encouraging violence against Israelis, Jews, and institutions supporting Israel. While the intent of the person saying this phrase may be different, the impact on the Jewish community remains the same.
Enough of the genocide accusations directed to Israel on Dan's substack. Reached my tolerance level here. Under the Genocide Convention, genocidal intent must be proven as a specific, coordinated, and collective intent by a state or group to destroy, in whole or in part, a protected group. Isolated statements—even from officials (like far right ministers Gvir and Smotrich)—do not satisfy this legal threshold. Israel is not committing genocide. The IDF takes measures to minimize civilian casualties, e.g., giving the Palestians evacuation notices before the bombings (which benefits Hamas as they get advance noptice), selective strikes at Hamas leaders, humanitarian corridors, and the use of "call out" tactics with facial recognition software to find the Hamas target in a residential building. It is criminal that Hamas uses Gazans as human shields by placing themselves and their infrastructure (like command centers, tunnels) under hospitals, schools, and residential areas. Gaza is densely populated, so intense urban warfare is occurring. Hamas is committed to the genocide of Jews and Israeli citizens. Hamas initiated the war with the October 7, 2023 massacre/attack on southern Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself.
This is awesome!! Thank you!! One of the best things I've read all day.
Add to that-- Israel has not occupied Gaza since 2005. It only occupied it originally because of the Six Days War with Egypt. Israeli settlements in Gaza were removed unilaterally by Israel in September 2005.
IMHO, if Muslim leaders really want to help oppressed people, start by going against those who are oppressing them-- Hamas, the Ayatollahs, the Imams, and anyone with a radical Islamist agenda, as that has lead to nothing but anguish and suffering for the unfortunate people of the middle east.
Great advice for Democrats! I have advocated for governor candidates Mikie Sherrill in NJ (my state) and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia to meet with Zohran Mamdani to find the common ground they all can run on to help their states and city and demonstrate a hopeful way forward. I consider myself a moderate Democrat and I am excited by Zohran. I suspect that many of his more socialist leaning plans are not workable, even in NYC, but I think he's smart enough to listen to all points of view and alter his course when needed. I would vote for him without hesitation if I still lived in NYC!
I came of political age in the late '60s. Mamdani's "more socialist leaning plans" look a lot like what was considered business as usual between the New Deal and the onset of the Reagan reaction. The big flaw was that they mostly benefited white people. Efforts to fix that flaw led directly to Southern white flight into the GOP, where it was joined by backlash against women's rights. Trump II is the endgame. It didn't come out of nowhere.
As you pointed out , Mamdani adopted a rather…dare I say it, almost Trumpian philosophy to his campaign. Simple message relating to the attitude of the moment. Charisma and connection to said attitude > policy arcana.
Here’s my question, though - there exists a media double standard with Democrats, where we’re always asked, “how will you pay for it?” Aside from “soak the rich,” how does one overcome this?
"Soak the rich" will work just fine.
I’d think so, but sadly that often falls on deaf ears.
An excellent analysis. Let’s see if any Democrat is listening.
Great Post!! I hope the Democratic Party takes your points to heart. We're certainly NOT winning elections by relying on virtuous policy positions. We need to fight!!
Re Running to Win vs. Running Not to Lose.
So accurate. Voters will always vote for strong and wrong vs weak and right.
I was especially impressed with the messaging. Dem messaging has trended emotionless, abstract, and impersonal: “Democrats are fighting for working class families with common-sense legislation to reduce prescription drug prices, protect Social Security, and promote renewable energy for a more equitable future”. Sounds more like a thesis statement for an article in some boring magazine, right?
Compare that to perhaps the country’s first political message:”No taxation without representation”. How did we forget how to do pithy in 250 years?
And repetitive. He didn’t just ask one person at the end about $7 versus $10 Halal. He asked several and drove the point home without boring anyone.
As to Dan’s point about all forms of media… we are making this far harder than it is. Advertisers know how to reach everyone, no matter individual media diets.
I hoe every candidate learns from this.
BTW that first ad is a real one from a general election campaign. Any guesses as to whose?
I’m a Virginian. The bloodless statement by my senators in protest of John Ryan’s ouster as UVA president left me as discouraged as I am certain that Warner and Kaine thought it was tough stuff. They simply are not comprehending what their base is telling them.
While I think all of your points are valid, I think your last point is especially important. Democrats are so afraid of their own shadows these days they are practically paralyzed.
I rarely agree with 100% of what Dan posts. This is one of those rare exceptions.
I would only add two things;
1. Fire every consultant. All they do is hold the party back.
2. Stop sending me 50+ texts per day asking for money and just once ask me about my opinion on what the rank and file wants from the party. Just once.
Neither is going to happen.