By Matt Underwood Mamdani Has Given Democrats a Blueprint for Victory, if Only They Would Listen
Mamdani’s strategy, if you boil it down, is to focus on local issues that genuinely impact voters, without resorting to divisive tactics. It’s a clear contrast to the crime-focused rhetoric and unwavering support for Israel that some Democrats have leaned on. It seems almost too obvious, but a lot of Democrats, even in places like New York, are missing the point. And the audacity of some media outlets that seemingly tried to undermine Mamdani’s candidacy is staggering.
The core of Mamdani’s approach bears a striking resemblance to elements of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. This isn’t to equate the two, but rather to highlight the effectiveness of certain tactics. Both campaigns zeroed in on the cost of living, acknowledging the economic anxieties of everyday voters. While their proposed solutions may differ significantly, the shared focus on affordability resonated deeply. The Biden/Harris campaigns, on the other hand, struggled to connect, often seeming dismissive of voters’ financial struggles.
Another key tactic involved presenting the candidate as relatable. Mamdani’s campaign used social media to interview voters, creating an image of a regular person genuinely concerned with their lives. Trump, in his own way, utilized podcasts and public events to engage in regular conversations. The more scripted and controlled approach of the Biden/Harris campaigns created a sense of distance. And it’s the same blueprint Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used to win. Mamdani simply adopted it. Given the pushback he’s getting, a show of solidarity is due. The problem is, NYC isn’t the entire country.
Of course, winning a mayoral primary in a progressive city like New York doesn’t automatically translate to success everywhere. It’s important to temper expectations. The fact is that the current political climate favors populism. This isn’t a new phenomenon; we’ve seen it play out for years. Mamdani’s primary victory is encouraging, but declaring him the future based solely on a local win is premature. And the only real reason he won the primary was that his principal opponent, Andrew Cuomo, has become a lightning rod for a whole lot of baggage for Democratic voters.
The challenge for the Democratic Party is that they see figures like Mamdani as a bigger threat than Trump. The establishment seems more willing to lose than to embrace a progressive agenda. This is a major obstacle.
The focus needs to be on winning in actual swing districts, not just celebrating primary victories in deep-blue cities. And a lack of ability to think up new ideas. They keep running the same plays and aren’t willing to adapt their plays and go with the air game.
The media landscape also plays a role. The algorithm tweaks, the scale of attention, all matter. Trump’s social media dominance is a masterclass in this. He floods the zone, dominates attention, and prevents any single issue from holding center stage. Mamdani, to his credit, understands how to gain attention.
While it’s too early to declare Mamdani a blueprint for victory, it’s clear that his approach has captured the attention of the entire country. And it’s also clear that the establishment is actively trying to undermine him.
It is a reminder of what is really going on.
The Democratic Party is in a state of crisis. Mamdani’s campaign has become a symbol of hope for progressives. His potential win in New York City could signal a turning point, a move towards a more progressive platform. The writing is on the wall: the establishment needs to listen to its base, especially the younger, more progressive voices, or risk irrelevance.
However, as many comments point out, the situation is more complex. Winning in New York isn’t the same as winning in other parts of the country. The reality is that some who benefit most from the status quo are the least likely to embrace change. The power of the wealthy donors is often too great. Democrats may prefer to lose with a centrist than win with a progressive.
The blueprint is to operate a donation gathering engine that puts up historic numbers using email, text, television, internet, celebrities, musicians, and movie stars. And by all accounts the Dems are very happy with it.
The Dems don’t have to adopt every idea. But why do we not have universal healthcare and childcare in this country? It is mind boggling.