National "Public" Radio sounded like National Mamdani Radio on the horribly named show All Things Considered on Wednesday night. Co-host Scott Detrow asked very vague questions to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani that sounded like what Democrats would ask at a precinct caucus. These were the early questions:
These three candidates, what would you say their policy agendas all have in common?
What is this a collective statement against? Because these three wins -- two incumbents being ousted -- is a pretty big antiestablishment statement.
As you are well aware, taking on incumbents in your own party is a pretty surprising move for most people in politics. There's been a lot of grumbling from officeholders across the state today. Why, to you, was that risk worth it?
I did see a lot of blind quotes from council members, from legislators in Albany, amounting to, I don't know if I can trust the mayor at this point. Do you have any worry that this could alienate the coalitions you need to get stuff done?
Then there was the vaguest question about Israel, with no attempt to define how hostile Mamdani and his candidates are to the Jewish state:
DETROW: Israel was a major focus in several of these races. What is the best way to put what you want to see when it comes to foreign policy and aid for Israel if Democrats do win back the House next year?
MAMDANI: I think Darializa says it best - it's time to invest in babies, not bombs.
This kind of bumper-sticker talk was allowed, and never mind "Darializa" was supporting Hamas at a rally the day after the October 7 Hamas slaughter of civilians.
This was the worst puffball -- a "gosh, the socialists are resonating" question:
DETROW: This is the latest in a series of primary wins this spring and summer for democratic socialist candidates. There's been wins in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, here in Washington, D.C.'s mayor race, now New York congressional races. Why, to you, does the DSA message seem to be resonating so well right now?
MAMDANI: It speaks to the fact that working people are fed up. And when we look at this country, we know that the only majority that really exists is that of the working class. And for too long, that hasn't been reflected in our politics.
Mamdani used variants of "working people" or "working class" 13 times in this interview.
This might be the toughest question:
DETROW: There are a lot of people in the Democratic Party who think the opposite, who think a big reason the party lost in the last election cycle was it drifted too far to the left.
MAMDANI: Well, I think what we see is that Democratic voters, which is where the Democratic Party draws its power from, feel very differently. And what is a party if not its voters? And what we see is that those voters have chosen leaders who are willing to fight for the working person.
Then there was the Republicans Pounce question, which Mamdani enjoyed:
DETROW: A question adjacent to that is, you are well aware how successful Republicans are at trying to link Democrats in more moderate swing districts to left-wing candidates, to DSA candidates. Any worry at any level? Or what do you think the best path forward is, that as the more prominent the DSA becomes, it makes it harder for Democrats to win a majority this fall?
MAMDANI: I invite Republicans to try and smear the cause of universal childcare. I invite Republicans to try and go after the idea that we should not spend billions of dollars bombing civilians abroad and instead investing those back in our districts. I invite Republicans to have to defend the indefensible because that's what they've been doing for far too long.
Detrow wrapped up: "Have you had a chance yet today to talk to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New Yorkers, about all of this?" Not yet, he said.
And the last softball: "Last question, Mr. Mayor. Were you happier when these three candidates got their races called for them or when the Knicks won?" Duh, he said the Knicks.
