Lost Debate Historic NYC Upset
Jun 25, 2025
Ravi chats with Bradley Tusk, a seasoned author and owner of the independent bookstore P&T Knitwear, to dissect the stunning political upset in New York City with Zohran Mamdani's unexpected primary win. They explore the decline of Cuomo, the disconnect between voters and traditional candidates, and the vital strategies Mamdani must adopt to govern effectively. The conversation also touches on Mayor Eric Adams' independent run and critiques the Democratic establishment's missteps in interpreting this dramatic shift.
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Low Turnout Shapes NYC Primaries
- New York City mayoral primaries have very low turnout and only allow Democrats to vote in person.
- This limits decision-making to a tiny subset, making outcomes less representative.
Cuomo's Outdated Campaign Failed
- Andrew Cuomo ran a campaign relying on outdated tactics and poor messaging.
- His failure was due to lack of ideas and an uninspired campaign, despite his establishment background.
Hire Talent Over Ideology
- Successful mayors hire the best administrative talent regardless of ideology.
- Effective governance depends on operational excellence like sanitation and safety.
