A writer at Salon makes an interesting point about Mamdani. He really took on both the Democratic and Republican power structure, particularly on the issue of bigotry.
As Cuomo used a "not the Muslim guy" as pretty much his only selling point, the Dems pretty much stayed quiet, reflecting a pattern of not strongly calling out racism and bigotry, but just allowing it to fester and be the "elephant in the room".
In my own county here in central NC, the Dem establishment has frustrated "on the ground" Democrats so much in recent years because they haven't directly confronted issues of transphobia, homophobia, and racism. I've talked to many LGBTQ or racial minority friends that are incensed that the "powers that be" haven't wanted to confront Republican leaders in the county on LGBTQ book bans, Confederate statues, or treatment of the county and county sheriff of Hispanics and other minorities.
In this county, which is literally a three-way split of Dem, Republican, and Unaffiliated voters, with only a slight edge to Republicans, the candidate that got the most votes in the county commissioners race has been the most prominent with his support of LGBTQ people and minorities in the county. And voters who are tired of the Dems just ignoring Moms for Liberty and the book bans and censorship efforts in our county library have gone ahead and formed their own group for activism on the issue, giving up on the Dem leadership in the county making any impact.
Mainstream Dems and consultants like to talk about focusing on "kitchen table issues" and getting past "identity politics".
There aren't just discussions going on around kitchen tables about the price of food and housing. Many families are talking about the harassment and threats agains that niece or nephew they love who is trans. Many are talking about the close friend at work or in their neighborhood that's been harassed by a county sheriff because of the color of their skin. And many are talking about that gay brother or sister who is talking about moving out of NC because of Amendment One if SCOTUS dissolves their marriage.
Liberals can't win elections by simply running ads smiling, showing off their family and talking about how nice they are. They have to demonstrate, forcefully, that they're going to stand up for all of their constituents. And part of standing up for your constituents is being there and speaking up for their right to be who they are.
Let's face it. When 30% of the electorate is hopelessly racist and bigoted, there's not a damn thing you're going to do to get their vote if you're a Democrat, no matter how much to try to avoid talking about those issues.
Why try to win the votes of that white evangelical Karen? The votes are among the 60% of voters who are your friends and neighbors and not Proud Boy wannabes and Moms for Liberty nutcases.
Zohran Mamdani took on the entire political establishment — and won
It isn't just MAGA moonbats freaking out: Zohran and his voters are an existential threat to the power structure
Thomas is right about the opportunity that’s available right now. And that window is gonna stay open for a very limited time. The momentum is there, and it’s a lot easier to maintain it than it is to restart it. And all you gotta say is “[fill in the blank] voted to thrown you under the bus. You get a chance next year to return the favor.”
Can folks in rural areas ever be persuaded to get excited about, and enthusiastically embrace, renewable energy and regenerative agriculture on a widespread basis?
Show them how it will save them money or keep their farm from folding, and I imagine they’re smart enough to figure it the rest. But you gotta meet people where they’re at, not where you think they ought to be.
A writer at Salon makes an interesting point about Mamdani. He really took on both the Democratic and Republican power structure, particularly on the issue of bigotry.
As Cuomo used a "not the Muslim guy" as pretty much his only selling point, the Dems pretty much stayed quiet, reflecting a pattern of not strongly calling out racism and bigotry, but just allowing it to fester and be the "elephant in the room".
In my own county here in central NC, the Dem establishment has frustrated "on the ground" Democrats so much in recent years because they haven't directly confronted issues of transphobia, homophobia, and racism. I've talked to many LGBTQ or racial minority friends that are incensed that the "powers that be" haven't wanted to confront Republican leaders in the county on LGBTQ book bans, Confederate statues, or treatment of the county and county sheriff of Hispanics and other minorities.
In this county, which is literally a three-way split of Dem, Republican, and Unaffiliated voters, with only a slight edge to Republicans, the candidate that got the most votes in the county commissioners race has been the most prominent with his support of LGBTQ people and minorities in the county. And voters who are tired of the Dems just ignoring Moms for Liberty and the book bans and censorship efforts in our county library have gone ahead and formed their own group for activism on the issue, giving up on the Dem leadership in the county making any impact.
Mainstream Dems and consultants like to talk about focusing on "kitchen table issues" and getting past "identity politics".
There aren't just discussions going on around kitchen tables about the price of food and housing. Many families are talking about the harassment and threats agains that niece or nephew they love who is trans. Many are talking about the close friend at work or in their neighborhood that's been harassed by a county sheriff because of the color of their skin. And many are talking about that gay brother or sister who is talking about moving out of NC because of Amendment One if SCOTUS dissolves their marriage.
Liberals can't win elections by simply running ads smiling, showing off their family and talking about how nice they are. They have to demonstrate, forcefully, that they're going to stand up for all of their constituents. And part of standing up for your constituents is being there and speaking up for their right to be who they are.
Let's face it. When 30% of the electorate is hopelessly racist and bigoted, there's not a damn thing you're going to do to get their vote if you're a Democrat, no matter how much to try to avoid talking about those issues.
Why try to win the votes of that white evangelical Karen? The votes are among the 60% of voters who are your friends and neighbors and not Proud Boy wannabes and Moms for Liberty nutcases.
Zohran Mamdani took on the entire political establishment — and won
It isn't just MAGA moonbats freaking out: Zohran and his voters are an existential threat to the power structure
https://www.salon.com/2025/11/08/zohran-mamdani-took-on-the-entire-political-establishment-and-won/
Seriously! My rant? How in this world did you manage to not mention Mamdani?!!!! You mentioned everything but.
It is absolutely frightening that you didn’t.
The work requirements are BS in themselves
Thomas is right about the opportunity that’s available right now. And that window is gonna stay open for a very limited time. The momentum is there, and it’s a lot easier to maintain it than it is to restart it. And all you gotta say is “[fill in the blank] voted to thrown you under the bus. You get a chance next year to return the favor.”
Can folks in rural areas ever be persuaded to get excited about, and enthusiastically embrace, renewable energy and regenerative agriculture on a widespread basis?
Show them how it will save them money or keep their farm from folding, and I imagine they’re smart enough to figure it the rest. But you gotta meet people where they’re at, not where you think they ought to be.
Those 2 elections in GA were the first non-federal statewide elections won by Dems in over 20 years.