The Commentary Magazine Podcast It's Still Mamdani's Race
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Oct 17, 2025 The hosts dive into the recent NYC mayoral debate, analyzing Zohran Mamdani's shaky performance and Andrew Cuomo's lackluster presence. They argue that Curtis Sliwa's eccentric style might disrupt the vote. The conversation shifts to Birmingham, UK, where police banned Israeli fans due to threats, raising concerns about terrorism controlling public events. They discuss the response from local politicians, linking it to historical patterns of antisemitism and the challenges posed by rising Islamist threats in Europe.
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Mamdani’s Debate Performance Fell Short
- Zohran Mamdani performed defensively and evasively in the NYC mayoral debate despite leading in polls.
- John Podhoretz and Christine Rosen noted his charm failed and he came off as peevish and defensive.
Underdog Persona Masks Policy Weakness
- Seth Mandel observed democratic-socialist candidates flourish as underdog revolutionaries but struggle on specifics.
- Evasiveness becomes part of their brand when pinned on policy details.
Sliwa’s Energy Makes Him A Spoiler
- Curtis Sliwa presented sharper, coherent answers and energized his base despite being a long-shot.
- His liveliness may help siphon votes from Mamdani and act as an effective spoiler.