With perhaps an uncharacteristic mix of anticipatory excitement and curiosity, a usually critical New York is set aside its “fuhgeddaboudit” attitude to to welcome a charismatic Zohran Mamdani as its new mayor.
Unlike previous inaugurations, this one has captured a distinct spirit that bridges politics and differences, a chance to meet up with a would-be leader who seems to believe what he preaches. There is a natural curiosity about just how far that will take Mamdani towards meeting his “affordability” agenda as it collides with hard realities of getting things done.
If outgoing Mayor Eric Adams’ message was one of personal and city “swagger,” however silly that seems in retrospect for a guy who ended mired in scandal and ineffectiveness, the open arms greeting to Mamdani is one generally described as “inclusive” – of outer boroughs, of younger voters,, of Muslims as well as Jews, of poor as well as rich, and across party lines. He’s an aspirational but unassuming guy who seems to want to meet voters of any political stripe.
Much has been written about the welcoming of Mamdani’s constant campaign appeals to underwriting child-care, expanding city pre-school programs, getting buses to run on time for free, and seeking more affordable housing in the city. That many of those programs will run into budget realities or political conflicts with state priorities seems not to be a damper on the city’s embrace for an openly progressive leader.
Indeed, the view you hear in conversations everywhere is that whatever Mamdani gets done will be fine, so long as he keeps trying.
Conflicts Ahead, Surely
For sure, there are clashes to come with Donald Trump over immigration policies and Trump’s politicized withholding of funds for transportation projects or social programs. The friction is inevitable despite Trump’s own clear infatuation with Mamdani at that strange Oval Office meet-up several weeks ago.
There even are city-state battles to come when Mamdani promises to run into conflicting priorities for Governor Kathy Hochul, as she seeks reelection. The notion of free bus rides come to mind as an example, especially since the bus system is part of the Metropolitan Transit Authority jurisdiction, not the city responsibilities.
The question is not whether Mamdani will be perfect or even someone who fulfills all that he wants. It is whether he proves sagacious in taking in information, in considering the consequences for more than the monied elite, and for speaking directly and authentically. In this age, that alone seems revolutionary.
Mamdani has been open about his disagreements with this government and with Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza – an issue that drove many Jewish voters to shun him before learning of his outreach efforts with the Jewish community. But then, so many – to some degree including many Israelis and even Trump at times — have disagreed with Israel’s tactics as to blunt this as a continuing issue. Do we really care what Mandani’s foreign policy concerns are rather than how he wants New Yorkers treated or how effective he is about getting city services in place?
This is a guy who will put himself between immigrants and ICE agents, even at the risk of arrest. This is a politician who won’t hesitate to join a picket line over what he sees as unfair wages. This is a guy who related to everyday pricing issues. Are we really going to be cowed by threats from billionaires who threaten to leave their businesses in Manhattan for income tax-free Florida?
Mamdani looks to be a continuing source of curiosity about whether we mean what we say about high prices and politics.
Let’s hope he collects enough support and guidance to keep his announced aspirations as achievable possibilities.
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