Did NYC Vote for Socialism or Against the Establishment?

31 snips

Jun 30, 2025

Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster and political commentator, joins the discussion to analyze Zohran Mamdani's stunning primary win in NYC. They dive into implications for the Democratic Party and explore voters' desires for change amid their quest for stability. The conversation also covers the GOP's shift on gay marriage since Obergefell and critiques of Modern Monetary Theory from a libertarian perspective, highlighting the complex dance between fiscal policies and public preferences.

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INSIGHT

Mamdani's Win: Populism & Costs

Zohran Mamdani's primary win reflects both anti-establishment sentiment and effective populist communication.
His focus on cost of living resonated more than outright endorsement of socialism.

INSIGHT

NYC Housing Crisis Drives Politics

Housing costs drove Mamdani's win amid skyrocketing rents in NYC.
Policies like rent freezes triggered unintended spikes, highlighting pervasive housing market socialism.

INSIGHT

MMT Illusions & Voter Paradoxes

Public wants balanced budgets in theory but resists cuts affecting their lives.
Modern Monetary Theory's promise ignores inflation risks and political incapacity to manage deficits.

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This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani's primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP's version of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective.

0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster?

2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary

11:59—The politics of the housing crisis

15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani

21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left

27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory

37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"

42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage

48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump?

50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy

54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast

"On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists," by Christian Britschgi
"Libya, End Zone Taunting, and the Success Curse," by Matt Welch
"Sovereignty Is Such a Lonely Word," by Matt Welch

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Producer: Paul Alexander
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