Bulwark Takes Episode Summary: "Zohran Advisor: How We BEAT the Cuomo Machine"
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Host: Lauren Eagan
Guest: Rebecca Katz, Democratic Strategist
In this insightful episode of Bulwark Takes, host Lauren Eagan engages in a deep conversation with Rebecca Katz, a seasoned Democratic strategist renowned for advising prominent figures like John Fetterman, Ruben Gallego, and most recently, Zohran Mamdani in his successful New York City mayoral race. The discussion centers around the strategies that enabled Mamdani to overcome the entrenched power of Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic Party's internal challenges, and the broader implications for future campaigns.
1. Lessons from Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign
A. Relentless Focus on Affordability
Rebecca Katz emphasizes that affordability was the cornerstone of Mamdani's successful campaign. "He was relentlessly on message, and that message was centered on affordability" ([00:48]). This focus included concrete policies such as freezing rent, providing free buses, and implementing universal childcare. Katz asserts that these straightforward, voter-centric policies made Mamdani's platform easily understandable and relatable, steering clear of socialist labels and instead directly addressing voters' immediate concerns.
B. Engaging Young Voters
A standout feature of Mamdani's campaign was its ability to mobilize young voters. Katz highlights the unprecedented turnout among younger demographics: "The number one voting block was 18 to 24. The number two voting block was 24 to 35... it was wild. You have never seen anything like that in any race, maybe ever" ([02:10]). This engagement was achieved by listening to youth concerns and presenting actionable solutions, contrasting with traditional dismissive attitudes towards younger voters.
2. Democratic Party’s Internal Challenges
A. The Curiosity Problem
Katz identifies a critical issue within the Democratic Party: a lack of curiosity about evolving voter needs. She draws parallels to the 2016 primaries, where the party failed to integrate Bernie Sanders' insights post-defeat. "Why didn't we in 2016... do an audit, figure out what went wrong?" ([03:00]). This oversight has led to a disconnection with voters who previously supported progressive candidates but shifted allegiance, sometimes to opponents like Trump.
B. Expanding the Tent vs. Purity Tests
The conversation delves into the tension between expanding the party's base and enforcing purity tests. Katz criticizes the tendency to exclude moderates and newcomers, advocating instead for an inclusive approach: "We have told a lot of people they don't belong here... keep an open mind. Are there things where we can find common agreement?" ([04:27]). This strategy aims to broaden the Democratic coalition by embracing diverse viewpoints and fostering unity around shared concerns.
3. The Hesitance to Endorse and Learn from New Leaders
A. Establishment Reluctance
Despite Mamdani's success, the Democratic establishment remains cautious in endorsing him. When Lauren asks about leaders like Schumer and Jeffries who have yet to endorse Mamdani, Katz responds: "They are so afraid to come near him... there’s pieces that they can get." ([05:26]). She suggests that leaders could adopt Mamdani's effective strategies on affordability while distancing themselves from certain beliefs, thereby leveraging his successful messaging without fully endorsing his platform.
B. Ineffectiveness of Negative Campaigning
Katz critiques Cuomo's use of negative attack ads against Mamdani, noting their ineffectiveness: "They just go at Zoran, like... Zoran Mandani is a terrorist, basically... it didn't work." ([05:26]). Despite extensive negative campaigning, voters remained undeterred, indicating a shift in voter receptiveness towards positive and issue-focused messaging.
4. Applying Mamdani’s Strategies to Other Races
A. Adaptability to Different States
When discussing the applicability of Mamdani's approach to races like the Iowa Senate race, Katz emphasizes the need for approachability and relatability across various demographics and regions: "You can still be approachable... communicate on a level that is normal and just speak to people." ([09:11]). She advocates for candidates to represent their electorate authentically, transcending geographical and cultural differences.
B. Personal Connection and Engagement
Rebecca underscores the importance of personal connections over scripted messages. She cites Ruben Gallego’s campaign in Arizona as an example where personal accountability and empathy resonated deeply with voters: "I want you to know it's not your fault... the system wasn't set up for them to succeed." ([11:29]). This approach fosters trust and aligns campaign messaging with voters' lived experiences.
5. Democratic Messaging in the Modern Media Landscape
A. Struggles with Effective Communication
Katz discusses the Democratic Party's ongoing messaging struggles, particularly in effectively communicating legislative efforts. Referring to the "big beautiful bill," she highlights a significant disconnect between the party's legislative actions and public awareness: "Nearly half of Americans haven't heard anything about the big beautiful bill." ([14:11]). This gap underscores the need for more robust and diverse communication strategies.
B. Embracing Modern Platforms
The conversation shifts to the necessity of utilizing modern media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to reach a broader, especially younger, audience. Katz laments the Democratic leadership's lack of proficiency on these platforms: "We need people directly talking to the voters and we don't have that many." ([16:36]). She advocates for electing officials who are native to digital media, enabling them to engage effectively with voters where they consume most of their information.
6. Recruitment and Candidate Selection
A. Beyond Traditional Metrics
Lauren raises the point that traditional metrics such as fundraising and TV ad buys are no longer sufficient for candidate success. Katz agrees, emphasizing the importance of engaging storyline and relatability over mere financial backing: "We've spent so long... telling the other side how scary they are... people want something to vote for." ([12:19]). This shift calls for a reevaluation of candidate recruitment strategies to prioritize personal connection and issue-based appeal.
B. Cultivating Comfortable Candidates
The necessity for candidates who are comfortable in front of the camera and adept at personal interactions is highlighted. While innate charisma helps, Katz believes that the emphasis should be on understanding and addressing voter concerns authentically: "People want to talk to candidates who understand what they're going through." ([11:56]).
7. Conclusion
Rebecca Katz's insights shed light on the transformative strategies that underpin successful modern Democratic campaigns. By focusing on affordability, engaging young voters, and embracing modern communication platforms, the Democratic Party can overcome internal challenges and reconnect with a broader electorate. The episode serves as a compelling call to action for the party to adopt more inclusive, relatable, and strategic approaches to campaigning in an evolving political landscape.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Rebecca Katz [00:48]: "He was relentlessly on message, and that message was centered on affordability."
- Rebecca Katz [02:10]: "The number one voting block was 18 to 24... it was wild. You have never seen anything like that in any race, maybe ever."
- Rebecca Katz [03:00]: "Why didn't we in 2016... do an audit, figure out what went wrong?"
- Rebecca Katz [04:27]: "We have told a lot of people they don't belong here... keep an open mind."
- Rebecca Katz [05:26]: "They just go at Zoran... it didn't work."
- Rebecca Katz [09:11]: "You can still be approachable... speak to people."
- Rebecca Katz [11:29]: "I want you to know it's not your fault... the system wasn't set up for them to succeed."
- Rebecca Katz [12:19]: "People want something to vote for."
- Rebecca Katz [14:11]: "Nearly half of Americans haven't heard anything about the big beautiful bill."
- Rebecca Katz [16:36]: "We need people directly talking to the voters and we don't have that many."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear understanding of the strategies and challenges faced by the Democratic Party and offering actionable takeaways for future campaigns.