elections – Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title

A Fourth of July Fable

On July 4th President Trump’s Favorability Rating (FR) was at 38% and the stock markets hitting all time highs. As the summer edged closer to the November 3rd midterms his FR trickled down a few points although the president appeared unconcerned, after all the campaign actually begins after Labor Day. On Labor Day the president’sContinue reading “A Fourth of July Fable”

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 shadowyContinue reading “Hail to King Zohran”

June 23rd Democratic Primary: Your Vote Matters and Activism is Essential

Let’s begin with a stand up and shout moment watch the Robert de Niro speech, you’ll love it and on an ominous note, Paul Krugman asks whether we are living in the repetition of a point in history, So in a real sense we are living in the midst of a reenactment of the decline and fallContinue reading “June 23rd Democratic Primary: Your Vote Matters and Activism is Essential”

Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?

It was a well-crafted targeted campaign. “Freeze the Rent,” “Fast, Free Buses,” “Free Childcare,” added up to:: “affordability.” Young voters, absent for years, jumped on board, an army of door knockers fanning out across the city. Opposition to mayoral control and including parents and teachers in the policy-making process, another winner. In the primary a prediction:Continue reading “Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?”

Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?

Running for office is exciting, rallies, crowds shouting your name, and, if you win: ecstatic! After winning, managing is tough, constant decisions, frequently no “right” answer, crowds applauding as well as calling for your head! Everything you inherit becomes your fault, blizzards, 5 degree weather, your fault. Friends working in your campaign become enemies when you make a decisionContinue reading “Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?”

Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?

There is no Spring Training for Mayors, a month into his tenure Mamdani faces a yawning deficit, yes, he inherited the deficit, it belongs to our new mayor. In June, 2025 Mayor Adams (and City Council) passed a $114 B budget, restoring a long list of proposed cuts. Seven months later the newly elected Comptroller,Continue reading “Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?”

A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?

The culmination of an election is a coronation, the swearing in with pomp and circumstance and the Mamdani ceremony fit the bill. Thousands of supporters, taking place on the steps of City Hall, a choir from an elementary school with Mandy Patinkin, a poem written for the occasion, Bernie Sanders administering the oath of officeContinue reading “A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?”

Will Mayor Mamdani, City Speaker Menin and Governor Hochul “Play Nice?”

As the ball drops and Mayor/Elect Mamdani becomes Mayor Mamdani and on New Year’s Day his block party and inaugural speech to tens of thousands of NYers: a victory lap and rolling out his platform: affordability and public safety will be at the top of his list. A week later the 51-member City Council will electContinue reading “Will Mayor Mamdani, City Speaker Menin and Governor Hochul “Play Nice?””

From Campaigning to Governing: Climbing the Mountain

Zohran wins!! Champagne corks pop, probably more likely beer can tabs click!! The victory speech, beginning by quoting socialist Eugene V Debs was stirring, watch here, a speech to be remembered, perhaps the beginning of the end of the Trump dynasty, After the celebration, the post coital reality, governing. The next two months the interregnum, aContinue reading “From Campaigning to Governing: Climbing the Mountain”

How Would a Cuomo Victory Impact Education (and the governing of the City)?

A three way race with the most recent poll showing Mamdani leading Cuomo by 13 points, see the polls here. One of the highly regarded pollsters writes, Caroline Soler Polling researcher There have not been any new polls since Eric Adams announced he was ending his re-election campaign in September, but the move is unlikely toContinue reading “How Would a Cuomo Victory Impact Education (and the governing of the City)?”