Podcast Summary: The Commentary Magazine Podcast – "Relitigating the 20th Century"

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Introduction and Context

In the episode titled "Relitigating the 20th Century," hosted by John Podhoretz of Commentary Magazine, longtime contributors Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and social commentary columnist Christine Rosen engage in a deep dive into the current political climate, particularly focusing on the rising influence of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in New York City’s mayoral race. The conversation explores themes of anti-Semitism, generational divides within the Democratic Party, and the resurgence of 20th-century ideologies.

Mayoral Race and Anti-Semitism

John Podhoretz opens the discussion by addressing the contentious mayoral race in New York City, highlighting Zoram Mamdani’s candidacy representing the DSA. He emphasizes concerns over anti-Semitism and radical policies that Mamdani advocates.

“I think this is a very important moment because it's like as this goes on and because of the six month, because of the nature of the general election campaign, he's not going to be able to hide and his people are going to shout from the rooftops all of the wonderful, radical things he's going to do.”
— John Podhoretz [11:09]

Podhoretz expresses alarm over Mamdani’s platform, which includes controversial positions such as defunding the police and providing free gender-affirming care nationwide. He questions the viability and safety of electing a candidate with such radical policies in a major city.

Polling Data and Jewish Voter Sentiment

The discussion shifts to recent polling data presented by Josh Kraushar of Jewish Insider, which reveals that 37% of Jewish voters in New York City support Mamdani, while 63% oppose him. This statistic is pivotal in understanding the electorate’s stance.

“A new poll... underscores the presence of a cohesive constituency opposed to Zoram Mamdani's candidacy... Mamdani wins 37% of Jewish voters... he does not get, obviously, 63% of the Jewish vote.”
— John Podhoretz [11:09]

Seth Mandel interprets this data as indicative of strong organizational efforts by pro-Israel and anti-radical groups within the Jewish community. Abe Greenwald contends that the 37% support is a positive sign, showcasing effective mobilization against Mamdani’s platform.

The Role of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)

Christine Rosen provides historical context on the DSA, tracing its origins back to splits within the Socialist Party in the 1970s and its eventual growth into a significant force within the Democratic Party. She highlights the DSA’s clear socialist platform, which includes abolishing the Senate and the Electoral College, as well as dismantling the carceral state.

“Their platform is anti capitalist. They want to abolish the Senate, the Electoral College, the carceral state. It is radical.”
— Christine Rosen [50:51]

Rosen emphasizes the DSA’s strategic endorsements and grassroots organizing, which have been instrumental in propelling candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) into prominent political positions. She warns listeners to critically assess the DSA’s platforms and question their compatibility with a free, democratic society.

Generational Divide in Democratic Politics

The conversation delves into the generational shifts within the Democratic Party, with younger voters leaning more towards progressive and socialist ideologies. Christine Rosen notes that educated women have moved further left, while men have remained relatively stable or slightly more conservative.

“Educated women have gone much further to the left just in the country.”
— Christine Rosen [44:21]

John Podhoretz and Abe Greenwald discuss how younger generations, shaped by experiences such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability, are more susceptible to radical messaging. They express concern over the lack of institutional memory among new voters, potentially leading to repeated endorsement of ineffective policies.

Reflections on 20th Century Ideologies

Seth Mandel shares a sentiment of disillusionment, reflecting on how the horrors of the 20th century—such as Nazism, socialism, and communism—are resurfacing in contemporary politics. This resurgence is causing unease among traditional commentators who believed these ideologies were a thing of the past.

“It's like we're sort of sliding back into the horrors of the 20th century in some way. And it's so unsettling.”
— Seth Mandel [62:17]

Christine Rosen adds that the current political discourse often lacks sustained, rational debate, resembling the persistent misinformation seen with beliefs like flat earth theories.

“Neither side really... we're not actually having a sustained rational argument.”
— Christine Rosen [62:29]

Intergenerational Knowledge and Political Awareness

John Podhoretz underscores the importance of historical awareness in preventing the resurgence of harmful ideologies. He uses historical anecdotes to illustrate how easily societies can reabsorb dangerous ideas if not critically examined and remembered.

“Ideas don't have the same... you know, historical understanding.”
— John Podhoretz [65:14]

Abe Greenwald and Christine Rosen discuss the dangers of romanticizing past eras without acknowledging their flaws, emphasizing the need for a balanced perspective that recognizes both progress and persistent challenges.

Public Health and Trust in Expertise

A segment of the discussion critiques the public’s understanding of medical science, particularly vaccines. Podhoretz argues that misconceptions about vaccines—viewed as introducing a small risk to prevent a larger one—are symptomatic of a broader mistrust in expert knowledge.

“A vaccine is you give yourself a little bit of an illness to create the things in the body that will fight off a worse version of that illness...”
— John Podhoretz [65:12]

Christine Rosen counters by highlighting historical precedents where medical advancements often came at significant costs and ethical considerations, suggesting that a nuanced view is necessary.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with reflections on the cyclical nature of political ideologies and the importance of maintaining historical consciousness to avoid repeating past mistakes. Podhoretz recommends additional resources, such as the "Plot Thickens" podcast, to further explore historical narratives and their relevance to current events.

“We're still distorted. It is now five years since George Floyd... and we're in a nightmare.”
— John Podhoretz [37:44]

Seth Mandel and Abe Greenwald conclude by reiterating the unsettling parallels between current political trends and the darker chapters of the 20th century, urging listeners to remain vigilant and informed.

Notable Quotes

• “The world doesn't work in this way. For example, there are things that... no, nobody would ever do that they did in the 19th century because they didn't understand certain things.”
  — John Podhoretz [62:51]

• “If you want a mayor running your city, maybe see, make him live under the conditions he wants all New Yorkers to live under. First, how he thrives.”
  — Christine Rosen [66:37]

• “Nothing is creeping anymore and nothing is coded anymore. It's all right there.”
  — Seth Mandel [53:33]

Conclusion

"Relitigating the 20th Century" serves as a cautionary examination of the resurgence of radical political ideologies within modern American politics. Through incisive dialogue, Podhoretz and his guests analyze the implications of the DSA's influence, the generational shifts within the Democratic Party, and the critical need for historical awareness to navigate current and future political landscapes.

For more insightful discussions and analyses, listen to the full episode on Ricochet.com or your preferred podcast platform.