After Party with Emily Jashinsky
Episode: Mamdani Manhandles Cuomo, Senate Tattoo-gate, and Jeff Daniels Serenades MSNBC
Date: October 23, 2025
Guest: Dave Smith (Comedian and Host, "Part of the Problem" Podcast)
Episode Overview
Emily Jashinsky hosts a rollicking, wide-ranging episode focused on the ever-shifting landscape of news, politics, and pop culture. The conversation centers on recent political debates and controversies—from the New York City mayoral race (Cuomo vs. Mamdani), Tattoo-gate in Maine's Senate election, media feuds, and the strange spectacle of Jeff Daniels serenading MSNBC viewers. Comedian and libertarian commentator Dave Smith joins for candid reaction and analysis, infusing the episode with humor, skepticism, and sharp critique.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New York City Mayoral Debate: Mamdani vs. Cuomo
- Clip Dissection: Zoran Mamdani aggressively challenges Andrew Cuomo on contradictory stances and establishment failures during a live debate.
- Dave Smith’s Reaction (05:35–09:48):
- Observes Cuomo’s disaffected, “quit” energy:
“Cuomo… just seems like he doesn't want to be there. He's almost a little resentful and bitter that he's even in the position of ankle biting at the guy that's supposed to be ankle biting at you... It's got that written all over him.” — Dave Smith (06:35)
- Notes that establishment candidates now struggle to respond to anti-establishment critiques, drawing parallels to Trump/Hillary in 2016.
- Emily highlights Mamdani’s calculated move away from overt “woke” rhetoric, presenting himself as more pragmatic.
- Observes Cuomo’s disaffected, “quit” energy:
2. Establishment vs. Anti-Establishment Dynamics
- The Political Climate (10:45–12:57, 17:35–20:20):
- Both left and right-wing populists are finding traction by positioning against the political establishment, which is widely viewed as corrupt and unresponsive.
- Dave:
“This is the central issue of our time. It has nothing to do with left versus right... What most people are concerned with isn't whether you're left or right or socialist or capitalist... Are you actually against this corrupt regime?” — Dave Smith (17:35)
- Discussion on how anti-establishment figures, even from the socialist left, can attract the support of traditionally more centrist or right-leaning media figures (e.g., Tim Dillon, Joe Rogan).
3. Tattoo-gate: Graham Platner’s Senate Campaign in Maine
- Candidate Background & Scandal (21:48–27:17):
- Graham Platner, a populist Democratic Senate candidate and combat veteran, faces scandal over an old Croatian tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol; he addresses and covers it up immediately amid scrutiny of his past online comments.
- Dave’s perspective:
“We've all gotten some accidental Nazi tattoos in our day and had to cover them up... but there's just this incredible phoniness where they're always churning out the new outrage.” — Dave Smith (23:07, 24:04)
- Critique of “gotcha culture” and the unrealistic expectation of spotless pasts for candidates, especially in the digital age.
- Emily notes: Platner—despite controversy—draws sizable crowds and enthusiasm, representing anti-institutional appeal versus the establishment (Janet Mills).
4. Cancel Culture, Outrage Cycles, and Grace for Political Flubs
- Changing Standards and Selective Outrage (27:17–30:38):
- Dave argues for less punitive, more nuanced judgments of past behavior:
“We have to find a way somehow to allow a little bit of grace ... a lot of these guys were saying stuff a few years ago that they would not [say today]. But why are you not ruined over that?” (27:17)
- Compares society’s selective memory and tolerance for past mistakes on the left and right.
- Dave argues for less punitive, more nuanced judgments of past behavior:
5. U.S. Foreign Policy & “Permanent War”
- Venezuela Strikes & Libertarian Critique (33:37–39:56):
- Massie and Rand Paul criticized for their anti-war stance by the Trump administration.
- Dave’s strong critique of permanent militarism and executive overreach:
“Whenever there's anybody who's opposing the warfare state... always, whether it's Democrats or Republicans, just always in search of the next war. It's such a like sickness in our society...” (35:25) “The thing about the law is that it doesn't exist. It's not real. It's all a figment of our imagination... the law is: When are there repercussions?” (37:42)
6. MSNBC, Jeff Daniels, & Media Out-of-Touchness
- Celebrity Performance on a News Set (46:49–49:36):
- Jeff Daniels performs “Crazy World” on MSNBC spin-off “MS Now,” prompting mutual cringe from both hosts.
- Dave’s verdict:
“It's so wild... how removed from the new reality they are. They think this will help. They think this will work...” (47:55)
- Emily and Dave both roast the performative, elitist, and out-of-touch ethos of legacy media and the MSNBC boomer “Woodstock larp” aesthetic.
7. Morning Joe’s Virginia Election Take & Identity Politics
- MSNBC Panel Misdiagnoses Voter Motivation (54:26–55:04):
- The panel claims voters not supporting Abigail Spanberger for governor are falling into a “misogynistic trap”—while ignoring opponent Winsome Sears is also a black woman.
- Emily’s exasperation:
“If you are crediting misogyny with taking down Abigail Spanberger, I don't know what to tell you... Sorry that two Democratic women candidates have lost because they were historically bad candidates.” (55:08)
8. Populist Left’s Achilles Heel: Trans Issues & Culture War
- Bernie Sanders on Trans Policy, Pushed by Tim Dillon (60:46–61:37):
- Dillon challenges Bernie on why the left won’t moderate on unpopular positions like biological men in women’s sports and child sex changes.
- Bernie tries to pivot:
“Why are we not talking about the fact that we are the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care?” (61:24)
- Emily’s read: Even the best deflection by populist left candidates won’t be enough unless they re-examine policies most Americans reject. She notes that populists like Mamdani are surviving by keeping focus rigidly on affordability/cost of living.
9. Media Culture: Celebrity vs. Journalism
- Savannah Guthrie’s Apology to Khloe Kardashian (68:04–68:46):
- Guthrie apologizes for previously asking about Kardashian paternity rumors; Khloe responds with grace.
- Emily uses this as a springboard to critique access-obsessed, deferential entertainment journalism—drawing a parallel to political journalism:
“Celebrities feel truly entitled to positive coverage ... They are in themselves like massive corporations, basically. And they have an effect on the country and on the culture.” (68:46)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Cuomo’s Political Futility:
“He’s almost a little resentful and bitter that he's even in the position of ankle biting at the guy that's supposed to be ankle biting at you.”
— Dave Smith (06:35).
On Mamdani’s Success:
“Anyone who's weak enough to have said [‘queer liberation means defund the police’] at one point, I would just never support. But… the fact that they ever thought Andrew Cuomo could run for office in New York again… they deserve to lose.”
— Dave Smith (09:01)
On ‘Gotcha Culture’
“There's just this incredible phoniness where they're always, like, churning out the new outrage... I just hate the whole kind of like, gotcha culture.”
— Dave Smith (24:22)
On Populists and Institutional Distrust:
“Are you actually against this corrupt regime?”
— Dave Smith (17:35)
On U.S. Policymaking:
“Legal is all fugazi.”
— Dave Smith, riffing on endless legal rationalizations for war (39:56)
On MSNBC and Elite Out-of-Touchness:
“No matter how much you see it, you can't go, oh, they think this will help. They think this will work.”
— Dave Smith (47:55)
On Voters and Identity Politics:
“If you're crediting misogyny with taking down Abigail Spanberger, I don't know what to tell you...”
— Emily Jashinsky (55:08)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- NYC Mayoral Debate, Cuomo vs. Mamdani: 05:19–10:45
- Anti-Establishment Politics: 17:35–20:20
- Graham Platner Tattoo-gate & Candidate Baggage: 21:48–30:38
- Foreign Policy: Venezuela Strikes, Rand Paul/Massie vs. Trump Admin: 33:37–41:06
- Bannon on CIA, Gaza Deal Sabotage: 41:06–45:47
- Jeff Daniels Sings for MSNBC: 46:49–49:36
- Morning Joe, Spanberger/Sears & Identity Politics: 54:26–55:08
- Bernie Sanders on Tim Dillon (Trans Issues): 60:46–61:37
- Savannah Guthrie’s Apology to Khloe Kardashian: 68:04–68:46
Tone and Style
Conversational, irreverent, and unsparing in its critique of both political parties and legacy media. Emily and Dave keep things brisk, witty, and unwilling to indulge conventional wisdom—regularly skewering establishment politics, media pieties, and the culture of outrage.
Summary Takeaways
- The appetite for real, anti-establishment voices—however flawed or controversial—remains strong, as evidenced by Mamdani’s performance and Platner’s support in Maine despite personal baggage.
- Legacy media continues to lose credibility by misdiagnosing public sentiment and clinging to out-of-touch or performative modes of discourse.
- Culture wars (especially on trans issues) remain a liability for populist left figures, while the anti-institutional default is now eclipsing strict left vs. right divides.
- Journalistic deference to celebrity and power, whether in entertainment or politics, is a cross-cutting problem.
- Amid political dysfunction and polarization, authenticity and anti-corruption remain the most valued—if elusive—currency.