Hail to King Zohran

Since the founding fathers politics has been run by the machine, meaning the power brokers within the party. Neighborhood political clubs, captains on every block, candidates selected in the proverbial smoke-filled room dominated the political landscape.

With the SCOTUS Citizens Unlimited decision the landscape began to change, unlimited “independent expenditures” flooded campaigns with dollars. The shadowy billionaires steered the ship of state.

A year ago a multiple candidate ranked choice voting Democratic mayoral primary with former Governor Cuomo, with tons of cash  the predicted winner. Zohran Mamdani, a three term Assembly member, a Socialist Democrats of America (SDA) member running an attractive campaign, the pro’s predicted Cuomo on the last vote transfer. 

Michael Lange, author of Narrative Wars, a substack with an incredible block by block :prediction of potential voters correctly predicted an early Mamdani victory.  In the November election, the so-called experts again predicted a Cuomo win, Mamdani wins.

What changed?

Mamdani recruited an army of door knockers, tens of thousands, primarily under forty, a return to old time politics, a smiling face at your door in lieu of daily glossy flyers and robocalls.

A question: has the face of politics changed or is this just an NYC aberration?

A year later  Mayor Mamdani does the unthinkable, he not only endorses, he unleashes his army of door knockers. and challenges incumbent Democrats,  a mortal sin.

Michael Lange, in another one of his incredible deep dives  predicts sweeping SDA victories, and he’s right!

Across the state seven of eight SDA candidates win Democratic primary elections! 

In November two Democratic women won governorships in Virginia and New Jersey.

Cait Conley, a military veteran with an impressive record wins a hotly contested Democratic primary and will face Mike Lawler, the incumbent Republican Congressman in November.

Have Trump’s depredations awakened the electorate?

Has the “no fires, no hires” job market motivated younger voters?

Have younger voters realized their future is in their own hands?

Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary on CNN this morning seemed elated at the election results, “Americans will choose between a Socialist and a true American, who will they pick?”  Mamdani will be at the center of the Republican campaign.  

Candidates across the country have to ask themselves: has the electorate moved further to the left, or, is New York an anomaly?

How can I energize younger voters in my campaign?

What are the key issues in my political domain?

The NYS Assembly will have 14 SDA members in January, how will the leadership respond?

The larger question: are the SDA successes a ripple or a wave? 

Are there other Mamdani’s across the nation?

Listen to Will Rogers in 1931, Could be today   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyfvamwM4Yo