The Commentary Magazine Podcast: The Mamdani Nightmare
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz convenes a panel of esteemed editors and commentators, including executive editor Abe Greenwald, senior editor Seth Mandel, columnist Matthew Continetti, and AEI’s Chris Stirewalt. The primary focus is the unexpected victory of Zoran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral primary and its broader implications for American politics, particularly within the Democratic Party.
The New York City Mayoral Primary
Unexpected Upset in the Primary
John Podhoretz opens the discussion by addressing the surprising outcome of the New York City mayoral primary. Zoran Mamdani, identified as a self-described democratic socialist with controversial views, secured a decisive victory over Andrew Cuomo, the former governor with a longstanding political legacy.
- John Podhoretz [02:32]: "I think people need to understand that Zoran Mamdani is probably 85% of the way there to being mayor. And that is very, very, very bad. Like it is bad in 17 different ways."
Polls vs. Results
The panel highlights the significant discrepancy between pre-election polls and the actual results, emphasizing Mamdani's ability to outperform expectations despite polling data predicting a Cuomo win.
- Matthew Continetti [05:13]: "In the Emerson poll which came out the other day showing Mamdani had a chance, but... it actually had the race much closer."
Voter Distribution and Ethnic Politics
Matthew Continetti provides a breakdown of the voter distribution, noting Mamdani's strong performance in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Brooklyn and the Asian vote in Queens, underscoring the impact of ethnic politics on the election outcome.
- Matthew Continetti [07:21]: "If he wins in November, Mamdani will be both the first Muslim mayor of New York as well as the first Indian mayor of New York."
Implications for the Democratic Party
Shift Towards the Far Left
The victory of Mamdani is seen as a harbinger of the Democratic Party's shift towards more radical left-wing policies. The panel discusses how this aligns with or diverges from broader national trends within the party.
- Matthew Continetti [29:22]: "He said he was a socialist. And Mamdani is. They said he was anti-Israel and anti-Semitic and Mamdani is."
Impact on Future Elections
John Podhoretz expresses concern that Mamdani's success could embolden similar candidates nationwide, potentially leading to a realignment of the Democratic Party towards more extremist positions.
- John Podhoretz [34:08]: "It's the abundance Democrats agenda, right? And as you're talking, I'm like, oh, okay, so it's the Sam's Club Republicans."
Concerns About Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism
Rising Anti-Semitism
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the rise of anti-Semitic sentiments within the Democratic Party, exacerbated by Mamdani's platform and rhetoric. The hosts express alarm over the potential normalization of anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish policies.
- Abe Greenwald [26:31]: "When we look on pro Hamas protests and genocidal chants and anti-Israel rhetoric, we see one thing and they don't see it at all."
Historical Comparisons
The panel draws parallels between current events and historical instances of political shifts that led to increased anti-Semitism, reflecting on the possible long-term effects on American Jewish communities.
- John Podhoretz [57:58]: "The Democratic Party is moving toward the Labour Party, toward the... toward the Liberal Party in Canada."
The Role of Social Media in Politics
TikTok as a Weapon of Anti-Semitism
The hosts delve into how platforms like TikTok are being leveraged to spread anti-Semitic propaganda, influencing younger voters and shaping political narratives in detrimental ways.
- Matthew Continetti [50:24]: "TikTok may be a weapon of mass anti-Semitism. And it already is."
Brand Management and Political Messaging
John Podhoretz and Matthew Continetti discuss how Mamdani and other politicians utilize social media to polish their public image, making themselves more palatable to a broad audience while masking controversial stances.
- John Podhoretz [52:12]: "Mamdani was dazzling... he's smart, he speaks really well, he's fluent, he knows his issues."
Historical Comparisons and Future Outlook
Potential for Party Realignment
The conversation turns to the possibility of a significant realignment within the Democratic Party, likening Mamdani's rise to past political shifts that reshaped party dynamics and voter bases.
- Seth Mandel [62:09]: "The speed at which it follows that two things... The trend in American Jewish life is following the trend of thousands of years of history."
Looking Ahead to 2028
The panel speculates on the future political landscape, warning of potential "McGovern moments" where the Democratic Party's shift could lead to significant electoral challenges and a redefinition of its core constituency.
- Matthew Continetti [55:48]: "This could be a DEFCON 5 level event for the Democratic Party."
Conclusion
The episode concludes on a somber note, with the panelists expressing deep concerns about the future of the Democratic Party, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the broader implications for American politics. They emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues to preserve democratic values and protect minority communities.
- John Podhoretz [73:34]: "We have to run, if you add up all of the two points that we made... we've made, you know, 200 points about Zoran Mamdani."
The hosts reiterate the critical nature of the current political moment, urging listeners to remain vigilant and engaged in the fight against rising extremism within major political parties.
Notable Quotes:
- John Podhoretz [02:32]: "Zoran Mamdani is probably 85% of the way there to being mayor. And that is very, very, very bad."
- Matthew Continetti [07:21]: "If he wins in November, Mamdani will be both the first Muslim mayor of New York as well as the first Indian mayor."
- Abe Greenwald [26:31]: "We have been focused on the past 20 months."
- John Podhoretz [34:08]: "It's the abundance Democrats agenda."
- Matthew Continetti [50:24]: "TikTok may be a weapon of mass anti-Semitism. And it already is."
- John Podhoretz [73:34]: "We've made, you know, 200 points about Zoran Mamdani."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared by the hosts and panelists, providing a thorough understanding of the episode’s key themes and concerns for those who have yet to listen.