Impolitic with John Heilemann 2025 Election Preview with David Axelrod
7 snips
Nov 3, 2025 
David Axelrod, former chief strategist for Obama and CNN political analyst, shares insights on the upcoming off-year elections. He highlights the energizing role of young voters in Zohran Mamdani’s campaign and the importance of addressing identity issues in a polarized environment. Axelrod critiques Andrew Cuomo's campaign approach and explains how competitive contests in Virginia and New Jersey can signal national trends. He also discusses the implications of Gavin Newsom's redistricting initiative on California politics and its potential impact on his future.
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Youthful Joy Drives Mamdani's Surge
- David Axelrod sees youthful energy and joy as central to Zoran Mamdani's appeal and campaign success.
- He argues Democrats should learn from Mamdani's hopeful, affordability-focused message rather than dismiss it.
On Confronting Islamophobia Directly
- Axelrod admits he missed Mamdani's speech but endorses confronting Islamophobia openly.
- He praises Mamdani's transparency and non-bullshit style when addressing identity issues.
Dark Ads Signal Campaign Panic
- Axelrod says racist or extreme attack ads are deliberate, not accidental.
- He believes such ads are approved at the top and signal panic from opponents.
