I rarely rant, but my party's reaction to Zohran Mamdani has struck a nerve.

[pat_k]

My party -- the Democratic Party -- can't claim we believe in the will of the people as paramount and then go into some freak out when the will of the people nominates a Democratic candidate that doesn't tow some "company line" that the crazy quilt coalition that makes up this party when it is strongest has never quite bought.

I am sick and tired of the major push recently from some quarters that the "only" way to "save" our party is to embrace some new version of watered down DLC, "third-way" mealy-mouthed messaging.

Accept it. This is a diverse party. We don't need to hit on some magical set of policy proposals that "everyone" agrees on. We don't need to silence inspiring voices who say we can do better or more. Sure, there is a place for advocates of a "third-way," but if we expect "everyone" to get on that bus we are deluding ourselves.

We need to get clear on some basic, shared values. And recognize the direction those values point us. And be bold about advocating those goals -- goals like universal health care, even while we recognize that we have work to do to build the political will.

We need to welcome voices from across the Anti-Christian Nationalist, Pro-Christian Values, Pro-Universal Health Care, Pro-Workers, Pro-Climate Sanity, Pro-Agriculture, Pro-Democracy 2.0 (like actually funding citizen assemblies), Pro-Freedom to love who we love and live how we choose, and Pro-Other Shit that pisses off some of the people who carry those other banners, but people who are nevertheless aligned on some fundamental principles on which we can make progress.

Politics is messy. The ONE thing that we as Democrats should embrace is our belief in our fellow humans and our will to get into the game; our belief in expanding and engaging people in the process of shaping their own government, not some perfect candidate who will "fix it" for us. That is the ONLY way we can even begin to redeem our national soul.

I am sick to death of calls for some "leader" or "the party" to emerge with the magic plan to fix all this shit for us. True leaders will make it clear that we need to get engaged in the messy, fucked up, process of finding common ground where we can -- and there are LOTS of areas of violent agreement -- and build the political will to move forward on the things we can.

The government is not some alien being oppressing us. It is ours to shape. And that belief is the central difference between US and THEM.

We don't need a f-ing movement. Each of us just needs to find a way to f-ing move. Do something. Connect with others. Find hope. Find inspiration.

(end of rant)

[Phoenix61]

1. We need to recognize that there isn't a one-size-fits-all Dem candidate.

He seems great for New York. Be happy he gets young people engaged and voting.

[Kid Berwyn]

2. We the People

Please rant any time, pat_k! Your perspective is inspirational, profound and to the point.

[pat_k]

12. Much appreciated!

But you may regret encouraging me. Once I "go off" I can go overboard!

[Autumn]

3. A very fine rant indeed. Thank you.

[Conjuay]

4. The alleged "BIG TENT" party

Seems to have a very small slit for an entrance.

[Bettie]

5. And a big door to push people out

if they aren't "centrist" enough.

[ITAL]

7. Plenty of progressives

Would also have no problem pushing out all the centrists. The rub is both sides of the party are quick to label the other as the villains. Mamdani is a good fit for NYC, but a lot of the left chatter I see thinking that's the way we need to run everywhere is nuts. His coalition isn't gonna win in swing districts, just like those more moderate voices wouldn't play as well in a liberal enclave like NYC.

[Bettie]

8. The right never speaks moderation

they speak about getting rid of all of us.

But sure, it's only the progressive that are the problem.

[pat_k]

11. And this sort of circular firing squad mentality

... is a serious problem. When an elected falls short of expectations, instead spending so much energy denouncing and shaming them and thereby sowing immobilizing cynicism, pester them directly. Pin them down on their values. Pin them down on their reasons (often rationalizations) for doing what they are doing. Maybe they have a point. If you think it's wrong-headed, challenge them. If you've hit a wall, look closely at where you might find common cause and push forward there. And if you think the flaws are fatal, then bolo for a better candidate -- or find like minded others and try to draft one to challenge them. Where that fails, it's back to being a citizen lobbyist.

Organize for reforms like instant runoff voting that can give us more representative candidates. Push for Democratic reform that can give us better solutions. We have amazing digital tools that could make things like citizen assemblies far more doable.

[Alice B.]

6. Instead of picking on candidates, the party should work on clarifying *what* we believe in,

In the simplest and clearest of terms.

Sure, we can disagree on how we get there but we should all agree on the destination.

I’m annoyed, too, and this is well said!

[republianmushroom]

9. You are correct.

[Iris]

10. Well said

[W_HAMILTON]

13. The Democratic Party isn't """freaking out""" over Mamdani.

A very small handful have spoken out and/or not enthusiastically endorsed him.

Most everyone else either has supported him or hasn't commented one way or the other (i.e., the same way they treat virtually every other mayor's race in the U.S.).

Spoiler alert: Specifically due to us being a big tent party, pretty much any Democrat that does or says anything will receive at least some criticism, so I don't know why people expect Mamdani to be treated any differently.

[pat_k]

14. Two Dems looking to run against him as Independents

... and the donors and party figures apparently supporting those bids, strikes me as a bit of a "freak out," as does the level of angst and "distancing." Of course, time will tell.

Perhaps it is all just par for the course for a new face, but the contrast to the welcome Adams got he won the nomination is pretty stark.

[W_HAMILTON]

16. List the elected Democrats that have come out in favor of Adams/Cuomo over Mamdani.

[pat_k]

17. A quick query...

AI Summary:

Recent developments in New York City's mayoral race indicate that Andrew Cuomo, after losing the Democratic primary, is running as an independent candidate. This decision has created a unique dynamic in the election, with several Democrats taking different stances on Cuomo's independent bid.

Democrats endorsing Cuomo

Despite the controversies surrounding his resignation as governor, some Democrats who previously called for Cuomo to step down are now endorsing him for mayor.

- State Senator Jessica Ramos, a progressive who had previously criticized Cuomo, has endorsed his mayoral bid.

- Former New York Governor David Paterson, who supported Cuomo in the primary, has called for mayoral candidates to unite behind one candidate to stop Mamdani, implicitly backing Cuomo against the progressive Democratic nominee according to ABC News.

- Some moderate Democrats and corporate leaders are also expressing concern about Mamdani's progressive platform and stance on issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading them to consider supporting Cuomo as an alternative.

Democrats who haven't yet endorsed Cuomo

Many Democrats who supported Cuomo in the primary have yet to pledge their continued support in the general election.

- State Senator Joe Addabbo, a former Cuomo backer, has stated he is not making any endorsements yet on the general election candidates.

- State Senators Roxanne Persaud and James Sanders, who had ranked Mamdani second on their primary ballots, have not yet made a decision.

- Congressmember and Queens County Democratic Party Chair Greg Meeks has largely remained silent on the general election.

It's important to note that the situation remains fluid, and allegiances could shift as the election progresses.

[W_HAMILTON]

19. I don't trust AI, but even if I were, your AI list consists of ONE elected Democrat? A state senator at that?

Yeah, as I said before, the Democratic Party isn't """freaking out""" over Mamdani. This race -- which shouldn't even be close in a place as blue as New York City -- is just being used as a wedge issue to divide those on the left.

[rogue emissary]

15. Your using reason and logic that the OP is conveniently leaving out facts.

[BlueTsunami2018]

18. We've become so corporate owned that a person who has basic FDR policies is a pariah.

Mamdani’s platform should be the basic Democratic platform. It was once upon a time.

Labor over capital. Workers over owners. FDR’s second bill of rights.

These are very basic ideas that most people would get behind.

We need to stop letting the least worthy and least needy people steal the public funds that should be used to give a better life to the People.